Physiological profiling for endurance athletes. Less estimation, more knowledge. Blood Lactate insights with corresponding data points for cyclists. Running protocols coming soon!
How much have you invested in your endurance training? Financially, emotionally, timewise - hundreds of hours? It might be time to stop the guesswork, and make sure all that investment is being properly capitilised.
Let Apex Endurance UK take you through a cycle specific blood lactate profiling protocol. Together, we will measure (not assume) where your most important thresholds (Lactate Threshold 1 and 2) lie in relation to power and heart rate, using blood lactate measurements. Knowing these values impacts every aspect of your training; helping you execute training and recovery at the correct levels for what your body can handle (not what you THINK it should handle). Let your racing or endurance events be about transcending your body, let your training be about knowing your body.
You need controlled testing protocols blended with positive and relentless encouragement. You need an objective, third person observer. You need measured data, analysis, and an output that you or your coaches can use to create tangible, meaningful alterations and improvements to your training. You may not have all the elements needed to achieve this on your own; but Apex Endurance UK does.
Let’s talk. Let’s plan. And then… Let’s. Bloody. GO.
What are we measuring, and why?
Review our Cycling Protocol A Info Pack to find out.
Our aim for the test is to find out your Blood Lactate Thresholds (LT1 and LT2) during a 45-60 minute indoor cycling protocol. We set you up comfortably on the Wahoo Kickr Shift bike (adjustable to your needs). We then take a small pinprick of blood from your earlobe or finger tip at each stage of the test as we ramp up your effort in a controlled manner. Each stage generally lasts 5-6 minutes, to allow for blood lactate levels to stabilise at the sustained effort level. When you reach a stage where you feel you cannot meet the end of the effort (generally around 110-120% of your estimated Functional Threshold Power) we take a final reading. As you warm down and relax, we immediately input your data for processing, to show what your Blood Lactate Curve looks like, and any immediate insights can be discussed. Beyond this, we then generate a detailed report that will help recommend what your standard five zone training model could look like, utilising your LT1 and LT2 as anchors to work from. Ideally, we then book in your next comparison test. This would usually be at the end of a training block (so the tests can bookend the block). Each persons schedule and race season look different, so discussion is important!
Important Note: This test is not VO2 Max. This is not sprint work. This Protocol A test is not a specific Maximal Lactate Steady State test (the result won’t be massively far off for LT2, however), which would need a slightly different protocol (and there are a lot out there!). We can definitely customise tests to within a reasonable degree, and this should be discussed prior to booking. If you have had a blood lactate test from another provider and are looking to follow this up, we will need an understanding of the protocol they used, which we will look to replicate.
The outcome of your assessment will look similar to the below lactate curve graph. We are aiming to discover where your LT1 and LT2 points lie relative to power and heartrate. From there we then determine a 5 Zone training model that could be utilised if required.
To find your precise Aerobic Threshold (LT1), we use a dynamic, individualized approach that adapts to your unique physiology on the day of the test. First, we create a smooth "performance signature" from your data (spline fit), which shows exactly how your body responds to increasing the intensity of your workload. We then identify your personal lactate baseline—your body's starting point during a very easy warm-up effort.
From that personal baseline, the software pinpoints the moment your lactate rises by a small, scientifically-validated amount (0.4 mmol/L). This tipping point is your LT1. By identifying this relative change rather than looking for a fixed number (such as 2 mmol/L), we ensure your training zones are personalised and accurate, whether you're a seasoned athlete or just starting your fitness journey.
Book a session; let’s get started
If you prefer to discuss before booking, please look at the Consult Booking sheet below (15 minutes). If you want to get stuck in, use the protocol booking page!
About Apex Endurance UK
My name is Nath. I’m based in Woodlesford, just south of Leeds, five minutes away from J30 of the M62. My background is in Automation and Engineering; I’ve worked with data, analysis and optimisation for most of my adult life on behalf of systems worth millions, serving hundreds of thousands of people.
The last decade of my life has been a mixture of high pressure work environments, cancer care in my personal life, and endurance sports as my lifeline. In 2024, I left my engineering role to care for my wonderful wife Freyja, who died of brain cancer on the 1st November. Needless to say, a devastating and life altering event. This business is one of my responses to my tremendous loss; I do not quit. I want to take my resilient, data driven and relentless approach to life and help others achieve their goals. Sport is so important for mental and physical health, and this niche is where I’ve found a kindling of passion again.
I’ve wanted to try something like this for a while, and I now have the opportunity to get started, as you can see from the images of the “Pain Cave” I am now upgrading and utilising as a testing lab. I want to offer a controlled, repeatable environment for athletes to get consistent and more importantly, relative physiological data to use towards their goals, without having to break the bank. Universities understandably must charge a high cost for expensive equipment for professionals. I believe we can get a significant portion of that benefit, for a lower cost, at an appropriate accuracy level, and offer it to a wider range of athletes. Some may argue that data isn’t needed at all and perception is enough; fantastic for them! No judgement here. But I personally enjoy and need the data to help me with motivation, accountability, training plans and overall approach to improving my body. It is also incredibly interesting to approach sports from a scientific and problem solving perspective.
If you think that too, let’s talk.
