DARK

Service Description

3-Minute All-Out (DARK) Test Three brutal minutes, one complete power profile. The DARK protocol strips away pacing and feedback: you go flat-out from the first second, blind to watts or time. In the span of one hundred and eighty seconds in the “dark zone”, we capture the critical data that normally takes multiple lab visits: • Critical Power (CP) – the highest sustainable aerobic output, extracted from the final 30 s plateau. • Anaerobic Work Capacity (W′) – total joules you can spend above CP before the lights go out. • VO₂max estimate – cross-checked from peak power and gas-exchange (optional mask). ⸻ Why it matters • Fastest full profile available. One test, < 5 min total ride time, no multi-day protocols. • Pacing-proof. Because you cannot see the clock or power, the result is not biased by premature throttling. • Actionable zones. CP sets your endurance ceiling; W′ dictates interval design and race-attack strategy. • Ideal reality check. When training stress climbs, a quarterly DARK test shows whether you’re gaining sustainable power or just burning matches faster. What’s included 1. Standardised warm-up, then 3-min maximal sprint on calibrated smart trainer, ergometer, or treadmill bike setup. 2. (Optional) breath-by-breath VO₂ capture for VO₂max confirmation. 3. 24-h report: CP, W′, VO₂max (if measured), personalised power/pace zones, and interval suggestions to raise CP or deepen W′. 4. 10-min debrief video or phone call. Preparation • Skip hard efforts 48 h prior; arrive fully rested and well hydrated. • Light meal ≥ 3 h before; no caffeine 4 h. • Bring your own pedals/shoes; fan + towel strongly advised. Who should book • Cyclists and triathletes needing rapid CP/W′ data without repeated tests. • CrossFit or HYROX athletes who rely on both sprint power and aerobic resilience. • Time-crunched athletes or teams who can’t spare multiple lab sessions. • Coaches looking to validate training adaptations every 6–12 weeks. Caution: The DARK test is physically taxing and requires a max-effort mindset. If you have cardiometabolic concerns, complete a VO₂max or RMR screen first. It is not for the faint of heart as well, if you can bear very high intensity... pass this one Otherwise, grit your teeth, hit start, and let the numbers speak. Results delivered in 24 hours.