The Performance Lab
Our Services
Measure everything, guess nothing. The Performance Lab empowers you with the knowledge and tools needed to uphold and maintain a healthy, active lifestyle.
We offer precision Vo2 Max testing, lactate threshold tests and metabolic analysis for a range of sports. By using state of the art equipment to automatically analyse your information we provide an in-depth analysis of heart, lung, muscular, and neuromuscular function in real time.
Our performance coaching team offer expert guidance from fully certified professionals, including in-depth knowledge on exercise, science and performance as well as thorough and detailed performance testing to unlock your full potential. Our services include Vo2 Max testing, RMR – Resting Metabolic Testing (Calorie Expenditure), Blood Lactate Threshold Testing, and Elite Athletic Performance Coaching.
We believe in a collaborative approach to performance testing and coaching that addresses the unique medical needs and concerns of our valued clients whilst optimising overall health.
Vo2 Max Testing
Vo2 Max is the gold standard in cardiovascular fitness and aerobic endurance tests. Our Vo2 Max tests use a breath-by-breath analysis to pinpoint bottlenecks in your performance.
Choose from 3 devices and evaluate your body’s ability to deliver, supply, and utilise oxygen for your working muscles
Suitable for any individual looking to unlock the maximum health potential, including novice and amateur athletes or even seasoned professionals.
Metabolic Testing
Want to lose weight or maximise your body’s performance? Resting metabolic rate testing is a precise, detailed method of determining exactly how your body utilises oxygen showing how many calories you burn at rest.
Our metabolic tests help you better understand your body’s fat-burning efficiency as well as the optimum calorie intake recommended for your body every single day.
Suitable for anyone in pursuit of maximising their weight for everyday life, sport, or both
Lactate Threshold Testing
Lactate threshold testing is invaluable for athletes and sports professionals in search of accurate measurements for various energy systems using different exercise intensities.
The test consists of a discontinuous graded exercise test (GXT), heart rate (HR) testing, and rate of perceived exertion test (RPE), and a measurement of blood lactate after each stage.
Suitable for athletes looking for the best predictors of aerobic endurance performance
Coaching Elite Athletes
Our wealth of expertise in athletics and sports performance testing makes us your ideal choice for performance coaching you as an individual or your team of athletes.
We’ve worked with numerous Irish athletes including runners, triathletes, footballers, rugby players, and many others from a wide array of amateur and professional athletic backgrounds.
We provide one-on-one performance coaching as well as coaching for sporting clubs and teams, sports and training boards, schools, and more.
SAMPLE REPORTS
Our Notable Clients
Trusted By Professionals. Designed for your next PR
Seán Tobin
Mid to long distance runner
Courtney McGuire
Mid to long distance runner
Richard Kennedy
Hybrid Athlete / Hyrox World Qualified 2024
Customer Testimonials
Stephanie – Runner
Your sport / athletic background
Beginning of training for my first half marathon
What initially brought you in to see us?
I started training for my first half-marathon after a major weight loss journey, but I hit a wall immediately. Everyone told me my heart rate was too high for ‘Zone 2,’ but my Garmin data just didn’t feel right. I was tired of guessing.
What the testing/insights revealed for you?
Testing confirmed my suspicions: my watch was way off. Having my actual, physiological zones gave me the confidence to stop second-guessing and start training effectively. That precision changed everything.
How it ultimately helped improve your performance?
My whole training approach changed after the test. I didn’t just finish that half-marathon—I’ve now moved up to competing in ultra-marathons.
John – Cyclist
Your sport / athletic background
I am a long-time road cyclist who returned to racing nine years ago. Following a serious head-on collision in 2021, I spent three years recovering and resolving recurring injuries. I returned to competition in April 2025, driven by a sense of unfinished business and new goals to achieve.
What initially brought you in to see us?
I wanted to establish a clear baseline before starting serious winter training. My goal was to maximize my efficiency and ensure that every hour spent on the bike and in the gym was delivering the highest possible return on effort.
What the testing/insights revealed for you?
The testing was a “positive wake-up call.” It identified specific areas for improvement, such as visceral fat, which allowed me to achieve relatively quick gains through optimized weight management. I successfully dropped 8kg by following the data-driven insights provided.
How it ultimately helped improve your performance?
The results were significant: I’m down to 75kg with an FTP of 278W, a Critical Power of 290, and massive anaerobic gains. It provided the vindication I needed for my base work and removed the “maybes” from my routine. By providing precise lactate zones and expert knowledge, the process gave me the focus to stop guessing and start getting better.
“Understanding a client’s metabolic profile allows me to look under the hood and help them overall in a longevity sense as well as performance in sports by training more efficiently, reducing the risk of injury and pushing your performance to the next level.”
CIARAN BURKE, OWNER & HEAD EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGIST
Why – The Performance Lab?
- Talented Professionals: Our experienced and qualified team are committed to providing you with full clarity and care in all our performance testing and coaching services, empowering you to achieve your very best potential.
- High-End Testing Technologies: We have invested in state-of-the-art sports performance and fitness testing technologies that measure accurate, detailed indicators for your health and performance.
- Data-Driven Reporting: Our analytical approach to performance testing means that you’ll receive accurate, detailed health performance assessments outlining all relevant metrics captured by our high-tech tests.
- Personalised Approach: Every individual is unique and there are no one-size-fits-all solutions for your health and athletic performance. Our approach is tailored to be highly personalised to your specific needs and fitness goals.
View Our Packages
Get the exact daily calories your unique body needs to burn fat or build muscle.
Break Plateaus:See exactly how fast your metabolism is running and learn how to fix a stall.
Optimize Energy:Fuel your life and training perfectly, without accidental under- or over-eating.
What We Measure:- Medical-grade indirect calorimetry testing.
- Precise daily caloric expenditure (Kcals/day).
- Your baseline fat vs. carbohydrate burn rate at rest.
Full Body Composition Analysis & Blood Pressure Health Check.
View Prices & BookDiscover your aerobic “ceiling” and see how your fitness truly stacks up.
Train with Purpose:Stop wasting time on “junk miles” and learn exactly how hard to push.
Benchmark Longevity:Track and improve the #1 scientific predictor of a long, healthy life.
What We Measure:- Maximum oxygen consumption (ml/kg/min).
- Exact ventilatory thresholds (VT1 & VT2).
- Age and gender percentile rankings.
Full Body Composition Analysis & Blood Pressure Health Check.
View Prices & BookDitch inaccurate smartwatch estimates for pinpoint-accurate training zones.
Unlock “Fat Max”:Find the exact heart rate where your body burns the most fat to preserve energy.
Nail Race Day:Know exactly what pace you can sustain for hours without burning out early.
What We Measure:- Capillary blood sampling for lactate concentration.
- Exact Aerobic (LT1) and Anaerobic (LT2) thresholds.
- Substrate crossover point (Fat vs. Carbohydrate oxidation).
Full Body Composition Analysis & Blood Pressure Health Check.
View Prices & BookFrequently Asked
Questions
GET IN TOUCH TODAY!
Open Hours
Sun – Fri: Contact for availability
Sat: 6am – 7pm
Location
Killinan, Thurles,
Co. Tipperary
Useful Links
Reservation
(085) 1179316
info@theperformancelab.ie