Does anyone know where I can do a lactate test?

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Hi everyone,

I’m looking for a place to get a lactate test and came across a place in Toronto: Lactate Testing – Blacksmith Cycle .

Has anyone had experience with this place, or do you know of any other locations you’d recommend? Ideally, I’d prefer to find somewhere in KW or a bit closer to home.

I’d really appreciate any recommendations!

Thanks!

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Hi Valentina

I haven’t had any experience with Blacksmith’s lactate testing so cannot comment directly on that aspect, however I have had 3 bikes built up by them and they do fantastic work. Their bike fitting has always been excellent. My personal feeling is that if they are offering this service, it will be well done.

The owner of the store, Mike Yakubowicz is a co-founder of BRIDGE Bike Works. This is a Candian company building carbon bikes right here in Canada. Lots of experience and knowledge in the cycling world.

I will mention though that they moved locations a year or so ago. I visited it about 3 months back and getting there was not enjoyable for me. Tucked away deep in an older part of the downtown core with lots of one way streets. If you don’t mind that sort of urban adventure you will be fine. For me it made the visit much more difficult than it used to be.

Best of luck with your search and testing

Scott

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Intriguing.

Don’t want to divert attention to your direct question around sources for testing. But, it’s an interesting topic to discuss.

There has been a lot of buzz around wearable, continuous lactate monitors for cycling. Doesn’t seem to have hit the mainstream yet? But might be the next thing after power?

Curious to see how it evolves.

A

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This is such a good question Valentina. I have also looked into getting a VO2 max test locally and had found something on the University of Waterloo site here: Program Search Fitness Appraisal Classification - UWaterloo KHS however it looks like there is no current offerings / they are not currently running these tests locally. I try to keep an eye hoping they will start to offer more in the future. If you find any other local places please post.

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Found this place offering v02 max testing

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Thanks @Scottmac for sharing your experience with Blacksmith! That’s great to hear. And yeah, I did look at the map and it seems like it’s not so easy to get there.

@emily.lloyd I’d def share if I find a place in town. I’ll take a look at what Drew just shared too.

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A few years ago I participated in a study at UW that gave me my VO2max. It’s possible there’s still someone using that equipment for lactate threshold/VO2max testing. I believe it was in Paolo Dominelli’s lab.

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The Armoury did offer lactate threshold among other test protocols for athletes in the past and Randy, their sports physician, is knowledgeable and capable and also a great person to come to with any lead-up questions for the test-protocol. At the time I was working with him I was setting up the protocol for VO2Max testing on the bike with him and their existing VO2Max equipment for KWCA.

If you inquire with them and they offer ltt on bike themselves that’s a go, just be mindful not to agree to do anything bike-related with KWCA: at the time when we had setup the testing protocol with my ramp test and data recording from the Armoury, RG started upselling the test to youth athletes.

On the first candidate who wanted to have testing done, we went through all the gears and it was not a free test as far as I remember, and at the end I jumped through all the gears to do the data analysis for VO2Max and delivered the outcome to RG and the kid and then asked him between coaches how he would adjust the training for the athlete with the data we recorded and the analysis done and he said he wouldn’t and it took me way too long to realize why.

So long story short: Armoury - excellent sports lab and testing equipment and PT for nearly everything an athlete could ask for. If they try to involve KWCA into bike-related testing, any other facility or setting your money on fire will yield better results.

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There is a young man in Oakville that offers lactate testing and aerodynamic testing and position optimization and bike fit. He’s also mobile so he might be accommodating to travel especially if there are a number of people looking to be tested.

His name is Charles Bergeron. He is also an active U23 athlete so at times he’s away racing.

He offers a number of helpful services.

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