Harnessing the Power of VLaMax to Enhance Middle Distance/Distance Running Performance

Tilus’ XLR8-trained athletes include: 

Learn What VLaMax Testing is and How it Can Benefit Your Athletes

Innovative XLR8 Performance Lab Founder and Head Performance Coach Ben Tilus begins this presentation by sharing a detailed explanation of what VLaMax testing is, and how it differs from VO2Max testing. While VO2Max is a measure that refers to an athletes’ maximum aerobic capacity, VLaMax is a test of an athletes’ anaerobic systems capacity.  The understanding of VO2Max has long been a part of running performance, while VLaMax is a less widely recognized, science-based tool; and yet, VLaMax data reveals information that can dramatically impact training and performance.

Coach Tilus teaches the basic concepts of VLaMax. Most coaches understand the concept of lactate threshold training, but it has not been easy to measure until recently. In the past, obtaining an athlete’s VLaMax would require going to a sports science lab for testing. With the advances in technology, a coach can now do some of this at practice. Tilus introduces how VLaMax works and what it is. Since 2020, Coach Tilus has been able to use more readily available tools to measure his athletes’ VLaMax. This has led to more accurate and individualized training methods. Armed with this knowledge, he has been able to dramatically impact the performance of the athletes he coaches.

In Coach Tilus’ presentation, you will:

• Learn why VLaMax is an important factor that elite track coaches across the country are using with their athletes.
• Learn how VLaMax testing can help you place athletes in events that they are best suited for.

Create a Blueprint For Success 

Coach Tilus shares how he uses VLaMax to program practice plans for each athlete, individually, based on their physiology, attributes and event. This is one of the best uses of VLaMax data. A coach can more easily move the performance needle in the desired direction.  Tilus gives practical examples of how to use VLaMax measurement to more accurately program practice.

Coach Tilus continues by sharing several examples of how VLaMax data can be used to create race strategy for 800-3200 meter runners, as well as how an athlete’s data informs the training decisions prescribed. 

Coach Tilus uses an athlete’s VLaMax data with software to give the athlete multiple race strategies. He and the athlete pick the best race plan based on their individual attributes and competition. Tilus shares examples of how this practically works for his athletes. Tilus also shows real-world examples of athletes that have reached PRs and elite performances using race strategy and training that has been informed by VLaMax data. 

• Learn how to use data to create the most efficient race strategy based on your athletes’ physiology.
• Learn how to program training using data; including: when to include speed work and how that can be combined with anaerobic volume to improve race performance.
• Learn how to fine-tune the long-term training plan for middle distance and longer distance athletes so that they can reach peak performance at the right time.
• Learn how VLaMax data can help you make smarter decisions about training volume and how much rest is necessary for specific athletes.

This video is a great addition to any track or cross country coaches library! Coach Tilus gives an excellent presentation of how VLaMax data can be used by high school and college athletes to reach new levels of performance.

The strategies presented have had a tremendously positive impact on the athletes Tilus coaches. Greater understanding of an athlete’s VLaMax can help any coach have a positive impact on their athlete’s preparation and performance. Even without the access to VLaMax measuring, the coach can gain a greater understanding of how VLaMax can dramatically impact an athlete’s performance. 

Customer Review:”I would rate this video a 5 out of 5 stars. This is an outstanding presentation and is something that will benefit all athletes and their coaches … an excellent video to learn about VLaMax and how to use it to program practice and race strategy for each athlete!”

56 minutes.  2024.