GoKawiilOura adds Cardio Effort and automatic VO2 Max tracking to its smart rings
Oura is rolling out two new cardiovascular features for its smart ring: Cardio Effort, which rates weekly exercise strain from Light to Reaching based on a personalized baseline, and automatic VO2 Max, a beta feature that estimates aerobic capacity without requiring a manual six-minute walking test. VO2 Max activates automatically after a user completes five qualifying GPS-tracked walks, runs, or hikes, with results shown in the app's Heart Hub alongside trend data and personalized insights.
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By replacing the manual calibration test with automatic tracking, Oura could make advanced fitness metrics like VO2 Max more accessible to casual users who wouldn't otherwise bother with a dedicated test. The Cardio Effort feature's emphasis on recommending rest, rather than only pushing harder, suggests wearable makers may be leaning further into recovery-focused health guidance as a differentiator in a crowded smart ring and fitness tracker market.
- Cardio Effort rates weekly exercise strain on a five-level scale from Light to Reaching, compared against a personal baseline.
- Automatic VO2 Max, in beta via Oura Labs, removes the need for a six-minute walking test by activating after five qualifying GPS activities.
- Both features appear in the Oura app's My Health Heart Hub, showing current estimates, historical trends, and personalized insights.
Oura Ring Gen3 — This article is all about Oura's new cardiovascular tracking features, which run directly on the Oura Ring Gen3. It's a sleek, lightweight way to continuously monitor heart health, recovery, and sleep without strapping on a bulky wearable.}],
See Oura Ring Gen3 on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: theverge.com — Andrew Liszewski, 2026-10-20
Published there as: “Oura adds two new cardiovascular health tracking features to its smart rings”
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