Test Prep - DexaFit GREENVILLE, SC

How To Prepare For Your Upcoming Visit *

*For each test you are scheduled to take, please carefully review the entire pre-test protocol outlined below. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to call us.

DEXA Body scan test at DexaFit with stats

DEXA Body Scan

How to Prepare

Diet & Hydration

  • Fast for a minimum of 2 hours before your scheduled scan—no food or caloric beverages. Water is permitted.

  • Maintain normal hydration. Avoid intentionally overhydrating prior to your appointment.

Activity

  • Avoid vigorous exercise or strenuous activity on the day of your scan. Light activity such as casual walking is acceptable.

Clothing & Metal Removal

  • Wear athletic or fitted clothing without metal (no zippers, buttons, snaps, or bra clasps).
    – Ideal options include athletic shorts, tights, compression wear, or a sports bra.
    – Socks are recommended, as shoes will be removed.

  • Please empty all pockets and remove watches, fitness trackers, belts, glasses, and jewelry prior to your scan.

Supplements & Medication

  • Avoid calcium supplements (including multivitamins with calcium) and antacids (e.g., TUMS®) for 24 hours prior to testing.

  • Refrain from gastrointestinal contrast, barium, or radionuclides within 48 hours of your scan.

During Your Scan

  • The DEXA scan is a quick, non-invasive body composition assessment performed while you lie comfortably on an open-air table.

  • Scan time is approximately 6–11 minutes, depending on your body size.

  • Radiation exposure is minimal (comparable to natural background exposure), and the scan provides highly accurate measurements of fat mass, lean muscle, and bone density.

Why This Matters

DEXA is considered the Gold Standard for body composition analysis, offering precise insight into fat mass, lean muscle, and bone density—metrics that scale weight alone cannot accurately capture. These measurements are critical indicators of metabolic health, functional strength, and longevity.

Understanding how much muscle and bone you have—and where fat is distributed—helps identify risk factors associated with metabolic disease, sarcopenia, and age-related decline. Establishing an accurate baseline allows you to track meaningful change over time and make data-driven decisions around training, nutrition, and lifestyle strategies that support long-term healthspan and performance.

Woman with blue mask and red head strap with wires leading to metabolic cart. She is performing VO2 Test. Man in background observing.

VO2 Max Fitness Test

How to Prepare

DexaFit Greenville provides maximal VO2 max testing for everyone—from active older adults to professional athletes and everyone in between.

To ensure the most accurate, meaningful, and repeatable results, please follow the preparation guidelines below.

Safety First

Your safety is our top priority. Prior to your VO2 max test, you should be cleared by your healthcare providers (e.g., primary care physician, cardiologist, orthopedic specialist, physical therapist) if you have any medical conditions, injuries, or concerns related to maximal exercise testing.

Testing Methods — Your Choice

We offer multiple testing modalities based on your fitness level, joint health, and training goals. Each protocol uses gradual increases in speed, incline, or power until maximal effort is achieved.

Treadmill (Runners, Walkers, Hikers)
We use a professional-grade treadmill that accommodates a wide range of abilities—from slower walking with increasing incline (up to 25%) to very high running speeds (down to ~4:00 min/mile pace).

Cycling (Bring Your Own Bike)
Cyclists may bring their own bike (road, gravel, mountain, or triathlon). Our trainers are compatible with most thru-axle frames and cassette sizes. To confirm compatibility, please call (864) 990-4425 prior to your test date.

What to Expect

During the test, you’ll complete a graded exercise protocol, starting at low intensity and gradually progressing to maximal effort.

You’ll wear:

  • A specialized mask to measure oxygen consumption (VO2) and carbon dioxide output (VCO2)

  • A chest-strap heart rate monitor (you may bring your own; if it does not connect to our system, we’ll provide one)

This data allows us to accurately assess aerobic capacity and define individualized training zones using both ventilation and heart rate.

General Considerations

Health:
If you’ve had a recent respiratory infection, illness, or acute health issue, testing should be postponed. Please contact the lab with any concerns before your appointment.

Consistency:
Consistency is key for meaningful results. When repeating a VO2 max test (typically every 6–12 months), aim to test at a similar time of day and under similar nutritional conditions.

If you’d like help planning your pre-test routine, feel free to call us at (864) 990-4425 a few days in advance.

Nutrition & Diet

  • Maintain your normal diet for 1–2 days before testing

  • Fast or eat a familiar, light meal 3–5 hours before your test (e.g., oatmeal, toast, banana)
    Do not eat foods you wouldn’t normally consume

  • Avoid large, high-fat, or high-fiber meals, which may cause discomfort during maximal effort

Stimulants & Substances

  • Avoid caffeine for at least 3–12 hours before testing (limit to one cup in the morning only if necessary)

  • Avoid alcohol and tobacco for 12–24 hours before testing

  • Avoid supplements that may affect aerobic performance (e.g., cold medications, stimulants)

  • Notify staff if you take prescription medications that may affect heart rate or breathing

Exercise & Physical Activity

  • Avoid vigorous or intense exercise for 24–48 hours prior to testing

  • Light activity is acceptable—the goal is to arrive well-recovered so we can assess your true aerobic capacity

Sleep & Rest

Aim for 7–9 hours of quality sleep the night before your test. Adequate rest supports cardiovascular performance and test accuracy.

Hydration

Stay well-hydrated in the days leading up to testing. Drink water consistently, but avoid large volumes immediately before your appointment.

On the Day of Your Test

  • Wear comfortable workout clothing and appropriate athletic shoes

  • Be prepared to wear a mask and heart rate monitor during the graded exercise protocol.

  • You may bring your own Heart Rate monitor if it is a heart rate strap. We cannot guarantee if will connect to our med cart. If not, we have sanitized heart rate straps at our facility.

  • Bring a towel for sweat and cleanup afterwards.

  • You may also want to bring a change of clothes if you tend to sweat a lot.

Why This Matters

VO2 max is more than a fitness number—it’s one of the strongest known predictors of longevity and cardiovascular health. Higher aerobic capacity is associated with:

  • Lower all-cause mortality

  • Better metabolic health

  • Greater physical resilience and independence with aging

Your results are interpreted using age-based benchmarks and used to guide training strategies that support both performance today and long-term healthspan.

A man laying back in a chair with a clear canopy connected to a breathing tube, smiling at the camera completing a resting metabolic rate test in DexaFit Greenville office.

RMR Metabolic Test *

*For RMR we highly recommend overnight fasting. If you book as part of a package and want to separate your RMR test on a morning you are fasted, please call to reschedule that portion of your package.

How to Prepare

Diet & Hydration

  • Fast for a minimum of 5 hours (preferably overnight) prior to your RMR assessment—no food or caloric beverages. Water is permitted.

  • Maintain normal hydration. Avoid intentionally overhydrating before your test.

Activity

  • Avoid vigorous or strenuous exercise on the day of your test, as physical activity can temporarily elevate metabolic rate. Light activity such as walking the dog or easy yoga is acceptable.

  • For the best results we’ve found clients should avoid vigorous exercise (anything above zone 2) for up to 2 days before your test. The day before your test should be no more than an easy, zone 2 or light workout.

Stimulants & Substances

  • Avoid caffeine and nicotine for at least 3 hours prior to testing.

  • Refrain from alcohol for 12-24 hours before your appointment.

Rest & Environment

  • Aim for a rested, relaxed state before your assessment. A calm nervous system improves accuracy.

  • Avoid exposure to extreme heat or cold prior to your test when possible.

Clothing

  • Wear comfortable, relaxed clothing, as you will be seated or reclined during the assessment.

During Your Test

  • The RMR assessment is a non-invasive metabolic test performed while you rest quietly and breathe into a mask or canopy system.

  • The test typically lasts 15–20 minutes once stable breathing measurements are achieved.

  • Movement, talking, or fidgeting during the test should be avoided to ensure accurate results.

Why This Matters

Your Resting Metabolic Rate represents the number of calories your body burns at rest to support essential functions such as breathing, circulation, and cellular repair. This accounts for the majority of your daily energy expenditure.

Measuring RMR directly is far more accurate than relying on predictive equations, which can significantly over- or underestimate true calorie needs. Knowing your actual metabolic rate allows for precision nutrition planning, better body composition outcomes, and long-term strategies that support metabolic health and longevity.