Oura expands smart ring cardiovascular tracking with automated VO2 max and workout strain metrics

Oura is expanding the cardiovascular tools on its smart rings with two new tracking metrics: Cardio Effort and automated VO2 max estimates. The updates are arriving for the Oura Ring Gen 3 and later models, though users must maintain an active Oura membership to access them. [1][2][3]

Cardio Effort monitors bodily strain across workouts by weighing exercise intensity and duration through the Training Impulse method. It scores weekly activity against a wearer's baseline across five tiers: light, fair, maintaining, building, and reaching. Meanwhile, VO2 max tracking—formerly dubbed Cardio Capacity in Oura Labs—now operates passively during regular GPS-enabled workouts, dropping the previously mandatory six-minute walking test. [1][3]

The additions bring Oura's health monitoring closer in line with rival wrist-worn devices from Fitbit and Apple, which have offered cardio strain and capacity stats for years, strengthening the ring's pitch to users seeking similar insights without wearing a watch. [1]