Physiology Secrets

Nick recently was invited on the Effortless Swimming podcast to chat about our new testing equipment in the lab and discuss the practical implications of being able to use data to start dialling in further your fuelling needs when racing and training. To learn more about Effortless Swimming CLICK HERE For more free resources about improving endurance performance, sign up to our email list here:  h...

As you may have heard, we have some new lab testing equipment that has expanded our capabilities to go much deeper into your physiology. In this episode, we discuss the new metrics we can assess including Fat vs Carbohydrate utilisation and how we can pair that with an InBody composition analysis to better estimate and predict your race-day nutrition requirements to optimise your endurance perform...

Recently we shared on Instagram some data from long time METS athlete Dimma and how we had him in the lab just to check in on his Zone 2. To do so we still measured his Oxygen consumption (VO2) and lactate, but we changed the protocol so he didn't have to go all the way to max. From your feedback and questions, we wanted to jump on and chat about the 3 main test protocols we can do in the lab and...

Recently Nick was invited on as a guest on the Stronger Stride podcast to discuss the basics of lab testing and how the data can be implemented into training.  Go check out the Stronger Stride podcast here:  https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-stronger-stride-podcast/id1546581804 OR on instagram: @strongerstride For more free resources about improving endurance performance, sign up to our em...

The N=1 Theory is really a fancy name for something we've always done, individualise everything and seek performance improvement for the athlete in front of us, essentially creating the research study of that single athlete's performance to support them racing faster, smashing PB's and fitting it all in around all of the other things going on in life. Because that's what really matters.  For more...

Huw Darnell joined Nick for this awesome episode of the podcast to chat all about how his work as a strength & conditioning to aid endurance athletes through the process of 'Pain to Performance'. Huw also shares his insights into incorporating strength training into a busy and often complex endurance athlete schedule, PLUS a bonus quick discussion on how we can maximise our use of breath to as...

We’re back on the podcast in 2023 (it’s been a while!) and we’ve got our hands on some interesting endurance focused tech we think you’d be interested in hearing about.  What else should we get our hands on to test or look into? AND Who should we invite onto the podcast for a chat? Get in touch with Nick with your thoughts via email: nick@metsperformance.com OR on Instagram @metsperformance For mo...

Zach is a 70.3 triathlete who first walked in the METS Lab after giving Geelong 70.3 (2020) a go off little to no training. He did ok, 12 months later he destroyed that benchmark and 3 years on with Nick coaching him, he's been able to optimise his training to take his performance to a whole new level. For more free resources about improving endurance performance, sign up to our email list here: ...

Zach is a 70.3 triathlete who first walked in the METS Lab after giving Geelong 70.3 (2020) a go off little to no training. He did ok, 12 months later he destroyed that benchmark and 3 years on with Nick coaching him, he's been able to optimise his training to take his performance to a whole new level. For more free resources about improving endurance performance, sign up to our email list here: ...

On this episode, Nick jumped on for a chat with Dieticians Luke & Ethan from Active Health Clinic to discuss nutritional choices leading into race day. Everything from carb loading considerations, smart food choices and how you can best ensure you get the fuel you need practically before your next endurance event. You can contact the guys here: Luke Hassan - luke@activehealthclinic.com.au Ethan Sa...

Nick was invited on TriVelo's "Get Fast" podcast to chat about everything we do here at METS, testing, training zones, endurance and more. So, we thought we'd re-share the conversation here. Check out TriVelo's podcast here: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/get-fast-podcast-triathlon-ironman-cycling-coaching/id1400770015   Learn more about TriVelo here: https://trivelocoaching.com.au  

Another Extra 1% tip episode, this time on Cooling Strategies to beat the heat, in particular pre-event when the aim is to maintain muscle temperature but reduce core temperature. For more free resources about improving endurance performance, sign up to our email list here:  http://go.metsperformance.com.au/free-mets-mastermind

A new mini series on small 1% things to top up that final bit of performance for race day. In this one Nick and Luke discuss the use of Sauna's and the impact it might have in how you respond, particularly when racing in hot conditions. For more free resources about improving endurance performance, sign up to our email list here:  http://go.metsperformance.com.au/free-mets-mastermind

A number of questions have come through recently on the back of the resurgence for lactate testing the field by a number of high profile athletes. So Luke and Nick discussed the pros and cons, plus a bunch on background info regarding lactate testing in general plus their thoughts on why and why not to do it.   For more free resources about improving endurance performance, sign up to our email lis...

Old school super short episode where Nick goes through some thoughts he's had whilst returning to swimming consistently for the first time since 2019 (and working around some injury constraints). For more free resources about improving endurance performance, sign up to our email list here:  http://go.metsperformance.com.au/free-mets-mastermind

Luke and Nick had 2 athletes both get in touch about the same podcast they listened to talking about using a high cadence for a "better" VO2max interval stimulus. So we sent our resident sport scientist Nick away to listen to it, research further and piece together what might be going on when cadence increases to give you the need to knows. For more free resources about improving endurance perform...

We often receive lots of questions about polarised models of training and why they are effective, so here's the underpinning physiology and a little discussion around different scenarios influencing the balance between low and high intensity. For more free resources about improving endurance performance, sign up to our email list here:  http://go.metsperformance.com.au/free-mets-mastermind

Have you seen Lionel Sanders recent Youtube video? He's testing VO2 at Ironman power now and looking to compare it after getting through the next block of training. Nick and Luke discuss the what and why behind his process and shed some light on how he's looking to improve. Look out for a Part 2 once Lionel posts his follow up results! Lionel's video: https://youtu.be/ncg8zTKh2Y8 For more free res...

We're back for 2022, kicking things off with a training session explained and a bit of extra thought on how you need to consider all variables relating to interval training when creating sessions. It's not always just increasing the intensity or volume, sometimes you might need to shift the work to rest ratio. Nick and Luke discuss the following session: 4 x 8min @ 90% VO2max / 2min passive recove...

We've been thinking about upgrading our testing equipment for a while, to open up so many more possibilities like identifying fuel utilisation, race nutrition strategy development and more. So we thought we'd chat about it and bring you in on the discussion. Nick and Luke sat down to talk out the pros and cons of a new metabolic analyser before we throw it open to you. Let us know what you think:...

We couldn't believe it had taken us this long to go more in-depth about Fraction of Expired Oxygen and how it tells us some really great insights into how best to attack your training post VO2max test. We discuss what it is, the trends we see and more in an episode that covers off one of the most important metrics we look at in the testing data. For more free resources about improving endurance pe...

Luke talks about an increasingly more popular supplement, Beta-Alanine and the possible impacts on performance that it might have. For more free resources about improving endurance performance, sign up to our email list here:  http://go.metsperformance.com.au/free-mets-mastermind

We came across a really great instagram page (@labratrundown) who's doing some cool research on all of the super shoes out there including the famous or arguably infamous Nike Vaporfly's. We discuss the findings of a recent set of testing and chat about our thoughts on the piece of equipment that has had the endurance world talking for a few years now. For links to the research studies/findings et...

Great session, if we're talking race specificity this is pretty much spot on for a half/full distance marathon runner. Nick and Luke discuss how they might alter the session for different purposes, and talk about why it's a great session to begin with. EMAIL us your training sessions to review --> nick@metsperformance.com OR message us on Instagram @metsperformance For more free resources about im...

A great question came through to us via instagram asking about strategies to optimise triathlon training. Can you have week to week changes in focus (i.e. Week 1 = 4 Swim, 1 Bike, 2 Run. Week 2 = 2 Swim, 4 Bike, 3 Run etc) Luke and Nick also dive into strategic fatigue, training camps and some other concepts surrounding periodisation to maximise the training stimulus and adaptation.   For more fre...