DEXA, VO2 Max & RMR Equipment Guide: Total Body, Bone Health, Compact vs Standard

Updated October 18, 2026 · By the DEXASCAN.COM Team with DEXA+ equipment specialists

Quick answer: For body composition you need a total body DEXA: a full-size central table plus body composition software. Compact DEXA systems save space but are made for bone density only. Pair DEXA with a VO2 Max analyzer (metabolic cart, portable or fitness system) and an RMR device to test fitness and metabolism too.

Key takeaways

  • Total body composition needs a full-size table; compact tables are bone density only.
  • On GE systems, body composition and visceral fat are licensed software options.
  • VO2 systems range from lab carts to portable analyzers and simple fitness units.
  • RMR devices either assume your fuel mix (VO2 only) or measure it (VO2 + VCO2).

On this page

  1. Types of DEXA machines
  2. Compact vs standard DEXA
  3. Body composition software
  4. VO2 Max equipment
  5. RMR equipment
  6. Which setup fits your business
  7. FAQs

What types of DEXA machines are there?

There are three kinds: total body central DEXA, bone-only central DEXA, and peripheral DEXA.

Type What it measures Best for Examples
Total body (central, full table) Body fat %, lean mass by region, visceral fat (with software), bone density Wellness, weight loss and GLP-1, longevity, sports performance GE Lunar iDXA, GE Lunar Prodigy full size, Hologic Horizon A/W/Wi5,4,2
Bone health (central, compact) Spine, hip and forearm bone density Osteoporosis screening in primary care, OB-GYN, imaging GE Prodigy compact, Hologic Horizon C/Ci, GE Aria4,2,7
Peripheral (pDXA) Forearm or heel bone density Portable pre-screening only; not recommended for diagnosis or monitoring Forearm and heel units1

Looking for a scan instead of a machine? Find a DEXA scan near you.

Compact vs standard DEXA: what's the difference?

Standard (full-size) tables scan the whole body; compact tables fit smaller rooms but are limited to bone density.

Standard / full table Compact table
GE Lunar Prodigy 103″ × 43″ × 51″; scan area 77.2″ × 23.6″; 350 lb limit 79″ × 43″ × 51″; scan area 52.8″ × 23.6″; 350 lb limit4
Hologic Horizon A, W, Wi: scan area 77″ × 26″; room 8′ × 10′; 500 lb limit C, Ci: scan area 38″ × 20″; room 8′ × 8′; 500 lb limit2
GE Lunar iDXA Scan area 198 × 66 cm; 500 lb limit; room 11′ × 10.6′5 –
Total body composition Yes (with software) No
Visceral fat (CoreScan / InnerCore) Yes (with software) No

Other compact designs exist outside the big two; for example, DMS Imaging markets compact STRATOS models for smaller rooms9. Confirm FDA clearance and US service support before buying any system.

New in 2026: GE's Lunar Astra was FDA-cleared on April 20, 2026, with a 66 × 198 cm scan window and optional body composition and CoreScan software8.

What body composition software do you need?

Body composition and visceral fat are often extra-cost software features, so check what's licensed.

  • GE enCORE: DXAVision body composition, CoreScan visceral and subcutaneous fat, TBS and Advanced Analytics are optional features6,5.
  • Hologic Advanced Body Composition: up to 220 regional measurements with NHANES reference data, including InnerCore visceral fat from the whole-body scan3.
  • Brand consistency: GE and Hologic report slightly different lean and fat values for the same person10, so keep each client on the same platform.

Pricing for refurbished systems with these options is covered in our 2026 DEXA Buyer's Guide.

What equipment do you need for VO2 Max testing?

A VO2 max test needs a metabolic analyzer that measures the oxygen (and usually carbon dioxide) in your breath, plus a treadmill or bike.

Category Examples Good for Published price
Lab metabolic carts COSMED Quark CPET12, Parvo Medics TrueOne 240013, MGC Diagnostics Ultima CardiO214 Medical and research-grade CPET, ECG integration TrueOne 2400: about $32,474 (2025 university estimate)13; others by quote
Portable / wearable COSMED K515, CORTEX MetaMax 3B16, VO2 Master17, PNOĒ18 Field testing, performance gyms, mobile services VO2 Master: $6,895–$7,595 USD17; others by quote
Fitness systems KORR CardioCoach19 Gyms and trainers; self-calibrating, no certification needed By quote

Treadmill or bike?

Treadmills usually produce a higher peak VO2 because more muscle is working; bikes give accurate workloads, suit clients with joint limits and make ECG and blood pressure easier, which is why they're preferred in most clinical settings20.

Calibration

Lab-grade testing typically uses a 3-liter syringe for flow calibration before each test, a two-point gas calibration at least before the first test of the day, and a 30–60 minute analyzer warm-up20. Simpler fitness systems self-calibrate19.

Clients can learn what to expect on our VO2 Max testing FAQ.

What equipment do you need for RMR testing?

RMR devices use indirect calorimetry: they measure breath at rest to calculate calories burned. The key difference is whether the device measures carbon dioxide too.

Approach Examples What it means
VO2 only, assumed RQ KORR ReeVue (FDA-cleared, 10-minute test)21, KORR MetaCheck22, COSMED Fitmate (measures oxygen uptake)23 Simpler and lower cost; KORR assumes a respiratory quotient of 0.8321
VO2 + VCO2 measured COSMED Q-NRG / Q-NRG+24, Breezing25, PNOĒ18 Measures RER, so it can also show fat vs carbohydrate use

A standard RMR protocol includes a 2–4 hour fast and 30 minutes of rest before measuring26. See our RMR testing FAQ and why calorie calculators get it wrong.

Which setup fits your business?

Gyms & trainers

Full-table DEXA for body composition, a fitness VO2 system and an RMR device. Clinical bioimpedance is a lower-cost starting point.

Med spas & weight loss

Total body DEXA with visceral fat software for GLP-1 clients, plus RMR to set nutrition targets.

Medical & longevity clinics

Total body DEXA (bone and body comp), a lab-grade or portable VO2 system and a VO2 + VCO2 RMR device.

Imaging centers

Add body composition software to existing full-table DEXA and list cash body comp scans.

Chiropractic & PT

Bioimpedance or DEXA for body composition and bone health, plus RMR for nutrition coaching.

Sports performance

Total body DEXA for regional lean mass and symmetry, plus portable VO2 for field testing.

Once you're testing, join the DEXASCAN.COM provider network so clients searching near you can buy and book.

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Equipment FAQs

What is the difference between a total body DEXA and a bone density DEXA?

A total body DEXA has a full-size table that scans the whole body, so it can measure body fat, lean mass by region and visceral fat as well as bone density. A bone density setup scans the spine, hip and forearm for osteoporosis screening and can use a compact table.

What is a compact DEXA machine?

A compact DEXA has a shorter table and smaller footprint for small rooms. Examples include the GE Lunar Prodigy compact (52.8 by 23.6 inch scan area), Hologic Horizon C and Ci (38 by 20 inches) and GE Aria. They are designed for bone density, not whole-body composition.

Which DEXA is best for body composition?

Look for a full-table central DEXA with licensed body composition and visceral fat software, such as GE Lunar iDXA or full-size Prodigy with DXAVision and CoreScan, or Hologic Horizon A, W or Wi with Advanced Body Composition. Also compare patient weight limit, room size and service support.

What equipment do I need for VO2 max testing?

You need a metabolic analyzer that measures the oxygen (and usually carbon dioxide) in your breath, a mask, a calibration syringe and calibration gas for most systems, and a treadmill or bike. Options range from lab metabolic carts to portable analyzers and simpler fitness-focused systems.

How much does VO2 max testing equipment cost?

Published prices vary widely. VO2 Master lists its analyzer kits at $6,895 to $7,595 USD, and a 2025 university procurement notice estimated $32,474 for a Parvo Medics TrueOne 2400 lab system. Many manufacturers sell by quote only.

What is the difference between RMR devices?

Simpler RMR devices measure oxygen uptake only and assume a respiratory quotient (KORR uses 0.83), while full indirect calorimeters such as COSMED Q-NRG, Breezing and PNOE measure both oxygen and carbon dioxide, which also shows fuel use.

Should I use a treadmill or a bike for VO2 max testing?

Treadmills usually produce a higher peak VO2 because more muscle is working, while bikes give precise workloads, suit clients with joint limits and make ECG and blood pressure easier. Many clinical settings prefer bikes; performance and fitness settings often use treadmills.

Can I add DEXA, VO2 Max and RMR to my gym or clinic?

Yes, many clinics, gyms and med spas offer all three. DEXA has state registration and operator rules, while VO2 and RMR devices are simpler to add. DEXA+ can quote equipment, training and financing, and DEXASCAN.COM can list your location.

Related reading

Sources

  1. Forearm pDXA vs central DXA study (PMC9027342): pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
  2. Hologic Horizon DXA technical specifications: hologic.com
  3. Hologic Horizon DXA system (Advanced Body Composition): www.hologic.com
  4. GE HealthCare Lunar Prodigy brochure: www.gehealthcare.com
  5. GE HealthCare Lunar iDXA brochure: www.henryschein.com
  6. GE HealthCare enCORE software platform: www.gehealthcare.com
  7. GE HealthCare Aria brochure: www.gehealthcare.com
  8. FDA 510(k) K252718, GE Lunar Astra: www.accessdata.fda.gov
  9. DMS Imaging bone densitometry brochure: www.dms-imaging.com
  10. Park et al., Endocrinology and Metabolism 2021: synapse.koreamed.org
  11. Block Imaging, GE and Hologic bone densitometer price guide (dealer): blockimaging.com
  12. COSMED Quark CPET: www.cosmed.com
  13. Mississippi State University procurement notice, Parvo Medics TrueOne 2400: www.procurement.msstate.edu
  14. MGC Diagnostics Ultima CardiO2: mgcdiagnostics.com
  15. COSMED K5: www.cosmed.com
  16. CORTEX MetaMax 3B specifications: woodway.com
  17. VO2 Master analyzer: vo2master.com
  18. PNOE FAQ: pnoe.com
  19. KORR CardioCoach VO2 max testing system: www.medical-xprt.com
  20. Winkert & Kirsten, Cardiopulmonary exercise testing review, Dtsch Z Sportmed 2022: www.germanjournalsportsmedicine.com
  21. FDA K021490, KORR ReeVue: fda.innolitics.com
  22. KORR MetaCheck metabolic rate analysis system: www.medical-xprt.com
  23. FDA K071533, COSMED Fitmate: www.accessdata.fda.gov
  24. COSMED Q-NRG+: www.cosmed.com
  25. Mora et al. 2020, Breezing validation: oalib-perpustakaan.upi.edu
  26. PhenX Toolkit, resting metabolic rate protocol: www.phenxtoolkit.org

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