THE EDGE Lactate Meter - Lactic Acid Test Kit - Complete Monitor Tester

I recently purchased the EDGE lactate acid meter and have found it to be a valuable tool in my training as a runner and cyclist. Before using the meter, I had limited understanding of zone 2 training, which is a type of endurance training that aims to maintain a steady state of moderate effort (lactic acid stays at a low level). However, with the help of the meter, I have been able to monitor my lactate levels during runs and indoor/outdoor rides. I have learned a lot about the heart rate (HR) required to stay in zone 2 and adjust effort so I stay within the desired range for zone 2 training. I'm excited to train more effectively and improve my aerobic fitness. The meter is easy to use and provides instant results as long as you don't mind drawing a bit of blood (it can be a bit finicky to get the blood onto the strip but pretty straightforward, just draw a little more than for say a glucose meter). I would recommend it to other athletes looking to better understand their body and improve their training methods and to improve long-term health. Hopefully the cost of test strips will go down but for me it's worth it to use some, especially to calibrate the right HR.

I bought this to try to determine if not clearing lactate was causing my long covid post exercise malaise. But since then, I've been learning more about lactate as a measurement in general for your body's ability to recover from exercise. I love using it to check how I'm doing after a strenuous work out. I went to a practitioner who uses a 'professional' tool for the same measurement and it matched my Edge, so I was happy to also find that it is quite accurate!

I ordered the Edge Lactate Meter to try implementing the recently popular Norwegian double threshold method. The instructions on the EDGE Lactate Meter are relatively easy to use, but I did have some issues with it in terms of getting readings. Initial Impressions: Originally, I had watched a couple of videos of athletes attempting to use the meter during workouts. In these videos, the athletes had readings way higher ( likely because sweat had contaminated the sample), even though they were careful about taking the samples. Thus, I was afraid that I would have the same issue and not be able to get valid readings. However, with proper care, all of my readings were within reasonable ranges of what I was expecting. In fact, no sample that I obtained appeared to be contaminated by sweat. Potential Issues: I am leaving the review as four stars, but my issues may go away with more practice. However, even after I had followed the instructions, it was exceedingly difficult to get the lancelet to prick my finger with a sufficient depth to produce enough blood for a sample. If you are using this, I HIGHLY suggest that you have a partner there with you to take the samples. I was not able to prick my fingers to get enough blood and therefore I had to do the earlobe instead. In the winter, I would not suggest using the meter if you are outside. I also HIGHLY suggest taking samples from your earlobe if you are with a friend. It is much less painful and there is much less a chance of contamination. However, this comes to my next issue. Sometimes, even with seemingly large drops of blood, the test sample would not read. In one workout, I was only able to get 3/6 measurements because the strips would not register after taking blood. This can be frustrating because the strips are pretty expensive! TLDR: The readings are consistent/good with proper technique. Lancelet sometimes has trouble pricking finger, ideally use earlobe with a friend. Sometimes has trouble registering after seemingly large blood drops.

Having the ability to check my lactate after runs has really been helpful to in monitoring intensity and ensuring I have the energy for hard runs a couple of times a week. The meter is extremely easy to use -- you just plug in a test strip, prick your finger (getting rid of the first drop and only analyzing the second -- important!) and read your lactate level. Now I know when I'm going out too hard and what kind of runs I can push myself on. Great addition to heart rate monitor and power meter if you want to be precise in your training.

This thing is a random number generator. I rode the exact same workout on Zwift two days in a row. I would characterize this ride as low zone 2 based on perceived exertion and heart rate data. On the first day it told me 1.3 mmol/L. The second day it told me 2.6 mmol/L.

Instructions are not very good - the quick start guide recommends removing the lancet cover before inserting into the lancing device, which seems dangerous and is against the device's instructions. Also if you follow the directions exactly you will end up not setting the time correctly, since it says to immediately press the "Enter" button. With only 5 test strips included, which is absurd for this price, I've struggled to see reliable results. The first two were wasted, perhaps because I underestimated what a "large" droplet of blood is (to the Edge's credit, it does put the word "LARGE" in bold/cap letters). The next test seemed quite low (10 mg/dl) for an easier 45' workout, and the test after that seems unreasonably high (78 mg/dl) for firmer hour-long workout. I've done this sort of testing at training centers before and I don't feel like either result is correct, but it is possible my expectations need to be recalibrated.

The meter came with a quick start guide that was a good first read. I followed the instructions in the full manual to set the date/time and units before first use, then used the quick card as a guide through the first measurement. I didn’t know how to open the tip of the lancet at first, so I bent the needle a bit, but after ruining one, I was able to successfully open and use the second one. The measurement was easy and gave me a result that showed my Zone 2 is lower than what my Apple Watch said. Will follow through with a second measurement after lowering Zone 2 by 5bpm. All in all, looks like a high quality device and instructions for use are pretty detailed.

I have been using the meter to get a better understanding of lactate levels after a cardio exercise. So far readings are falling within expected range. I like that it has support for unit of measure change to mmol/L. Overall it is easy to use and takes one or two tries to get the hang of it. Poking the finger is slightly uncomfortable, but worth it for me to dial in the cardio effort levels.