Oura fitness metrics are expanding with two features designed to show how exercise affects cardiovascular health. Announced October 20, Cardio Effort and automatic VO2 max tracking will help users measure workout intensity and monitor changes in aerobic fitness.
The update comes as Oura faces growing competition from smart ring makers such as RingConn and Ultrahuman. Both features support Oura Ring Gen3 and newer models with an active membership.
Oura Cardio Effort Measures Workout Intensity
Cardio Effort evaluates how much strain physical activity places on the cardiovascular system. It combines workout intensity and duration, allowing a short, demanding session to produce a score comparable to a longer, easier workout.
The feature includes Workout Cardio Effort, which measures individual sessions, and Weekly Cardio Effort, which combines activity across seven days.
Rather than relying on maximum heart rate estimates, Oura compares elevated heart rate against each user’s resting heart rate and historical activity patterns. This creates personalized ranges that indicate whether someone is maintaining fitness, increasing effort or potentially overtraining.
Weekly effort is classified into five levels: Low, Recovering, Maintaining, Improving and Reaching. The feature requires at least 14 days of data to establish an initial baseline.
Automatic VO2 Max Tracking Estimates Aerobic Fitness
The second addition estimates VO2 max, a measure of how efficiently the body uses oxygen during exercise. It indicates cardiovascular fitness and how that capacity changes over time.
Previously, Oura members needed to complete a six-minute walking test to obtain a personalized estimate. The updated feature uses qualifying GPS-enabled outdoor walks, runs and hikes to calculate the metric automatically.
Users need at least 30 days of Oura data and five qualifying workouts before receiving their initial estimate. Results appear in the My Health section under Heart Health.
The app displays VO2 max in milliliters per kilogram per minute, along with a fitness category of Low, Fair, High, or Peak. Members can also review historical changes and receive insights when their estimated aerobic capacity shifts meaningfully.
Automatic VO2 max tracking is initially available through Oura Labs, the company’s experimental features program. Availability may vary during the rollout.
Oura Expands Its Fitness Tracking Capabilities
Oura has traditionally emphasized sleep, recovery and general wellness. The new measurements bring more detailed exercise analysis to its platform as competition in wearable fitness technology intensifies.
The company has also been improving its hardware. TechAmerica.ai’s Oura Ring 5 review examined its slimmer design, improved comfort and broader health-tracking capabilities.
Cardio Effort and automatic VO2 max serve different purposes. One measures how demanding workouts are, while the other estimates changes in aerobic fitness. Together, they give members a broader picture of their exercise habits and cardiovascular performance.
