Boosting VO2 Max With Absolute — Tested by Dr. Georg Abel
Reading time: 4 min

Boosting VO2 Max With Absolute — Tested by Dr. Georg Abel

Reading time: 4 min
Find out what a nutrition scientist thinks about Absolute.
Boosting VO2 Max With Absolute — Tested by Dr. Georg Abel

Absolute is our premium VO2 max booster based on high-quality adaptogens and beta-alanine. Many of our athletes use it regularly to support their training and boost their VO2 max.

With so many athletes praising its effects, Dr. Georg Abel decided to put Absolute to the test.

Who Is Dr. Georg Abel?

Dr. Georg AbeI is a nutrition scientist, a triathlete, and a coach. He is in his early 40s, works full-time, and has been an endurance athlete for several years.

He trains 10–15 hours a week, training each triathlon discipline 3–4 times a week. The training is complemented with 2–3 athletics sessions.

His height is 175 cm, and his average weight throughout testing was 68.5 kg.

Dr. Georg Abel's Experience with Absolute

Absolute is a supplement that contains a blend of the adaptogens ashwagandha, cordyceps, and rhodiola rosea. It also contains beta-alanine, an ATPro matrix, Senactiv® (patented ingredient to increase endurance and recovery), and chromium.

Absolute 4Endurance Pro: VO2 Max BoosterAbsolute is a powerful VO2 max booster based on high-quality adaptogens and beta-alanine.

To perform the test, Dr. Georg Abel was taking 4 capsules of Absolute a day for a period of 21 days.

What follows is his personal experience with Absolute, explained directly by him.

Training

At the time of taking the supplement, I was in the “economization phase” of my training. This means that I didn't do any specific VO2 max training with high-intensity units, just a relatively large number of competition-specific and longer (basic) units. Of course, VO2 max is also always trained through basic training.

As I didn't have access to performance diagnostics, I only “determined” my VO2 max using the Apple Watch Ultra 2 and Garmin (Edge 830 and Connect) on the bike, of course in the knowledge that this doesn't meet a scientific standard and should therefore be treated with “caution” — but may still provide some indications.

Impression and Handling

Since I trained daily, I always took the recommended daily amount of four capsules of Absolute with a little water 30–45 minutes before training. This was easy and went down smoothly.

Training and well-being

During most of my sessions — whether swimming, cycling, or running — I consistently had the sensation of breathing deeply and effortlessly, almost as if the air felt fresher. It was a genuinely pleasant feeling that made the training feel lighter and more natural. I was regularly hitting my performance targets, and it all just felt right.

Sometimes I felt a slight tingling sensation on my lips and in my head at the beginning of the training sessions, which is due to the beta-alanine; nothing dramatic, just a little strange at first. Beta-alanine is particularly helpful for short, crisp sprints without working in the lactic acid range, as beta-alanine serves to form carnosine, an intracellular buffer.

That's the acute effect — so everything is great.

Sleep quality and stress resistance

For a long time I haven't felt so balanced, rested, and motivated during training. On the one hand, this is certainly due to the training structure and having less stress at work and in private life, but on the other hand also due to the contribution of the adaptogens, such as rhodiola and ashwagandha.

I haven't slept so well and restfully for a long time, even if the average sleep duration of just under 7 hours could certainly be improved.

4Endurance Pro Adaptogen Fuse - 60 capsules, dark brown bottle with gold cap and green label band on white background. 
                4Endurance Pro Adaptogen Fuse - 60 capsules, dark brown bottle with gold cap and green label band on white background.
4Endurance Pro

60 capsules / 30 servings

Complete adaptogen mix

Sale price€29.99
4Endurance Pro Absolute - 84 capsules, brown bottle with gold cap and blue-black label on white background. 
                4Endurance Pro Absolute - 84 capsules, brown bottle with gold cap and blue-black label on white background.
4Endurance Pro

84 capsules / 21 servings

VO2 max booster

Regular price€59.99 Sale price€29.99
- 50%
4Endurance Pro Fusion - 90 capsules supplement bottle, brown with gold cap, dark gray label with red accents, benefits listed. 
                4Endurance Pro Fusion - 90 capsules supplement bottle, brown with gold cap, dark gray label with red accents, benefits listed.
4Endurance Pro

90 capsules / 30 servings

Fat burn, VO2 max

Regular price€39.99 Sale price€29.99
- 25%
4Endurance Pro Rhodiola Complex - 60 capsules bottle with golden cap, green label stripe, black and gold design on white background. 
                4Endurance Pro Rhodiola Complex - 60 capsules bottle with golden cap, green label stripe, black and gold design on white background.
4Endurance Pro

60 capsules / 30 servings

3% rosavins, 4% salidrosides

Regular price€17.99 Sale priceFrom €12.99
- 28%

Physical adaptations and well-being

During the 21-day intake period, my heart rate dropped significantly during the basic units.

At the beginning, I ran most of the time, e.g. at a running pace of 5 min/km at 135-140, but over time it leveled off at around 130.

Combined with the growing sense that my training was paying off and my body was effectively absorbing the training load, I started to truly enjoy myself again after a long time — and I could clearly feel my performance improving.

And Garmin?

The development of VO2 max according to Garmin is visible, but always under the pretext that this is not a measured value but a value determined by my bike computer based on pulse and watt values and algorithms.

From a VO2 max of 69, it went up to 73, and my running watch also recorded an increase from 62.4 to 64.5. Even if performance diagnostics “before” and “after” would be the method of choice here, it reads well to the eye and confirms my body feeling.

VO2 Max Garmin Dr. Georg AbelDr. Georg Abel's Garmin noted a 4% VO2 Max increase.

Dr. Georg Abel's Verdict on Absolute

I haven't felt so motivated and recovered, powerful, and fit in training for a long time. I was able to complete all the sessions according to the plan, had fun doing them, and could see how my performance was developing.

The good feeling of being able to breathe freely and feel balanced is certainly due to the effects of the adaptogens in Absolute, as well as the right training structure and training load — I will definitely continue to use adaptogens, especially during intensive training phases.

Based on my own positive experiences, I can definitely recommend trying Absolute, especially for those who want to support their physical and mental performance and well-being as well as recovery and sleep in a natural way.