Resting Metabolic Rate & Basal Metabolic Rate Testing
Online calculators are wrong up to 30% of the time. RMR testing with indirect calorimetry measures your exact caloric needs—the foundation of any fitness assessment or weight management program. Know your basal metabolic rate for data-driven nutrition planning.
What is Resting Metabolic Rate vs Basal Metabolic Rate?
Your resting metabolic rate (RMR) measures your caloric needs at rest—the energy your body uses for breathing, circulation, and cell repair. It's similar to basal metabolic rate (BMR), though BMR testing requires stricter laboratory conditions. Both are essential metrics in exercise physiology and fitness assessment.
RMR typically accounts for 60-75% of your total daily caloric needs. Combined with body composition data from DEXA, RMR testing provides the complete picture for weight management. We also offer VO2 max testing for comprehensive fitness assessment.
We measure RMR using indirect calorimetry—a metabolic testing method that analyzes oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide production to calculate your exact energy expenditure. This determines energy balance for weight management: calories in must match energy expenditure to maintain weight, or be reduced for fat loss.
Why RMR Testing Matters
Knowing your true metabolic rate changes everything about how you approach weight loss.
It supports a full health assessment and nutritional assessment, adds fitness testing context, and improves diet planning for metabolic disorders with ongoing health monitoring.
Precise Calorie Targets
Stop guessing. Know exactly how many calories you burn so you can create the right deficit—not too aggressive (muscle loss) or too conservative (no progress).
Detect Metabolic Adaptation
Has your metabolism slowed from dieting? RMR testing reveals metabolic adaptation so we can address it before you plateau.
Track Metabolic Health
Monitor how your metabolism responds to treatment. Building muscle? Losing fat? Pair with DEXA scans to see the full picture.
The Problem with Calculators
Online RMR calculators use formulas based on population averages. Your metabolism isn't average.
Same Person. Same Calculator. Three Different Realities.
A 720 calorie difference = 1.5 lbs per week of miscalculated fat loss or gain
What You'll Learn
Your RMR test provides actionable data for optimizing your weight loss strategy.
We also capture respiratory exchange ratio and caloric expenditure for more precise coaching.
Your results include metabolic rate measurement (resting energy expenditure), thermogenesis insights, and nutrition assessment that informs dietary planning and clinical nutrition support.
We connect these findings to aerobic capacity, physical activity habits, and fat oxidation trends as part of a quick health screening.
Your Exact RMR
The precise number of calories your body burns at rest—measured, not estimated.
Metabolic Efficiency
Are you burning carbs or fat for fuel? Your respiratory quotient reveals your fuel utilization.
Calorie Targets
Calculated maintenance, weight loss, and aggressive deficit targets based on your real metabolism.
Metabolic Comparison
How your RMR compares to predicted values—is your metabolism faster or slower than expected?
Macro Recommendations
Protein, carb, and fat targets aligned with your metabolic profile. Work with our registered dietitian to implement them.
Progress Tracking
Baseline data to compare against future tests and body composition analysis—see how your metabolism improves over time.
What to Expect
A simple, non-invasive test that takes about 15 minutes.
Arrive Fasted
No food for 4-5 hours. Morning appointments work best.
Relax
Recline comfortably for 10 minutes to reach true resting state.
Breathe
Breathe normally through the mouthpiece for 15-20 minutes while we measure.
Review
Get your results immediately and discuss what they mean for your plan.
How to Prepare
Proper preparation ensures the most accurate results.
✓ Before Your Test
- Fast for 4-5 hours (water is fine)
- Avoid caffeine for at least 4 hours
- No strenuous exercise for 12 hours
- Get a normal night's sleep
- Avoid alcohol for 24 hours
- Take regular medications as prescribed
✓ Day of Test
- Wear comfortable, loose clothing
- Arrive 5-10 minutes early to relax
- Morning appointments are ideal
- Avoid rushing or stressful activities before
- Be prepared to lie still for ~20 minutes
- Bring questions about your results
Frequently Asked Questions
RMR is the number of calories your body burns at complete rest to maintain basic functions like breathing, circulation, and cell repair. It typically accounts for 60-75% of your total daily calorie expenditure—making it the foundation for any nutrition plan.
Online calculators estimate RMR using formulas based on age, weight, and height—but individual metabolism varies by up to 30% from these predictions. Direct measurement with indirect calorimetry is accurate to within 2-5% and reveals your actual metabolic rate, not a population average.
The breathing portion takes 15-20 minutes. With check-in, relaxation period, and results review, plan for a 30-45 minute appointment total.
Not at all. You simply recline comfortably and breathe normally through a mouthpiece or into a canopy. There's no exertion, no needles, nothing invasive. Most people find it relaxing.
For weight loss patients, we recommend retesting every 3-4 months to track metabolic changes. Your metabolism can adapt to calorie restriction or improve as you build muscle—retesting ensures your calorie targets stay accurate.
A below-predicted RMR isn't a life sentence. It often indicates metabolic adaptation from prior dieting, low muscle mass, or hormonal factors—all of which we can address. Knowing your true RMR is the first step to fixing it through proper nutrition, resistance training, and sometimes hormone optimization.
Stop Guessing. Start Measuring.
Get the data you need to build a nutrition plan that actually works for your body. Book your RMR test today.