Oura rolls out Cardio Effort and VO₂ max metrics for smarter workout tracking
Oura announced new Cardio Effort and VO₂ max features that quantify workout intensity and long-term fitness for Ring Gen 3 users.
Facing rising competition from newcomers like RingConn and Ultrahuman, Oura is expanding its health analytics with two new metrics. Cardio Effort evaluates each workout’s strain on the heart by comparing elevated heart rate to a user’s long-term resting baseline, then compiles a weekly total that falls into five descriptive levels. This metric considers both intensity and duration, allowing short, vigorous sessions to score similarly to longer, moderate ones.
In parallel, Oura now offers a VO₂ max estimate, traditionally measured in labs, by analyzing GPS-tracked activities after five qualifying sessions. Users can view their VO₂ max value, fitness category, and trends in the My Health Heart Hub. Both features launch on Oura Ring Gen 3 and later devices, with VO₂ max initially available through the Oura Labs experimental platform. The company says the tools together help users understand immediate workout load and its cumulative effect on fitness.
Why it matters
The new metrics give wear-able users deeper insight into workout intensity and long-term fitness, differentiating Oura in a crowded market.
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