Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR)

Fasting required: 10 hours overnight with water only, no vigorous exercise for 24 hours, no caffeine or nicotine for 12 hours, and travel to the lab as calmly as possible.

• Important safety noteIf you are diabetic or must eat regularly, tell us before booking so we can plan the fast safely with you
• Required10-hour overnight fast — plain water only
• RequiredNo caffeine or nicotine for 12 hours before
• RequiredNo vigorous exercise for 24 hours before
• RequiredNo alcohol for 24 hours before
• Strongly recommendedTravel calmly — do not cycle or run to the lab
• Strongly recommendedArrive 10 minutes early and sit quietly before the test
• Strongly recommendedWear warm, loose clothing
• OptionalBring breakfast for straight afterwards

Food

FASTING REQUIRED: nothing to eat for 10 hours before the test. Plain water is allowed and encouraged. No food, no milk in tea or coffee, no juice, no sweets, no chewing gum, no supplements or protein drinks.

Hydration

Plain water only during the fast. Arrive normally hydrated — drink a glass of water on waking, but avoid large volumes immediately before.

Exercise

No vigorous exercise for 24 hours before. Light walking is fine. Hard training keeps your metabolism elevated overnight and would inflate the result.

Caffeine / stimulants

No caffeine for at least 12 hours before: no coffee, tea, energy drinks, pre-workout or caffeine gels. No nicotine in any form for 12 hours.

Alcohol

No alcohol in the 24 hours before.

Medication

Take your prescribed medication as normal. Tell the test leader what you have taken and when, as some medication (for example beta-blockers, asthma inhalers, antihistamines) changes heart rate or breathing and must be recorded with your results. Do not change or stop medication for a test.

Clothing

Warm, loose, comfortable clothing. You will be lying still in a quiet room and can get cold.

Arrival

Travel to the lab as calmly as you can — drive or get a lift rather than cycling or running in, and avoid stairs and rushing. Arrive 10 minutes early and sit quietly so your body is fully settled before we start.

Other

Early morning appointments suit this test best, because the overnight fast is easiest then. Cancellation and rescheduling: cancel free of charge with more than 72 hours' notice (full refund). Reschedule free of charge with more than 48 hours' notice. Inside 48 hours the appointment is treated as a late cancellation and the fee is not refundable, because the lab slot, technician and consumables are reserved for you.

What to bring: Comfortable, warm, loose clothing and a light snack for afterwards. Bring your breakfast with you — you will want it as soon as the test is done.