What to Expect at NOVA Body Lab
At NOVA Body Lab in Falls Church City, we combine medical-grade technology with personalized insight to help you understand your body, optimize your performance, and achieve your health and longevity goals. Here’s what you can expect before, during, and after your DEXA Scan, VO₂ Max, and Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) tests, and Red Light Therapy sessions.
🩻 DEXA Scan
Precision Body Composition Analysis
What it is:
A DEXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) scan is the most accurate method available to measure body composition — including fat mass, lean muscle, and bone density — using Hologic Horizon Wi technology.
How to prepare:
Wear comfortable, light clothing without metal (avoid zippers, underwires, buttons, or jewelry).
Avoid calcium supplements or large meals within 2 hours of your appointment.
No exercise immediately before your scan; rest ensures consistent results.
During your scan:
You’ll lie comfortably on the scanning table while the DEXA arm glides over your body. The process is quick, painless, and takes about 10–15 minutes.
Afterward:
You’ll receive a detailed visual report showing your body composition, bone density, and fat distribution. Your technician will walk you through your results so you can clearly see your progress and set data-driven goals.
🫁 VO₂ Max Test
Measure Your Aerobic Engine
What it is:
Your VO₂ Max measures how efficiently your body uses oxygen during exercise — the gold standard for cardiovascular fitness and a strong predictor of longevity. We use the Korr CardioCoach Pro for lab-grade precision.
How to prepare:
Avoid eating at least 4 hours beforehand.
Skip caffeine or pre-workout supplements the day of testing.
Bring or wear comfortable workout clothes and shoes.
During your test:
You’ll wear a specialized mask connected to the CardioCoach system while exercising on a bike. The test starts at an easy pace and gradually increases in intensity. The data collected helps define your personalized heart-rate zones and aerobic thresholds.
Afterward:
You’ll receive a clear, easy-to-understand report outlining your aerobic capacity, fat-burning efficiency, and optimal training zones — so you can train smarter, not harder.
🔥 Resting Metabolic Rate (RMR) Test
Decode Your Metabolism
What it is:
The RMR test measures how many calories your body burns at rest — your baseline metabolism — using clinical-grade breath analysis technology.
How to prepare:
Arrive fasted (no food or drink except water for at least 4 hours).
Avoid exercise or caffeine for at least 12 hours before testing.
Rest well the night before for the most accurate results.
During your test:
You’ll sit or recline comfortably while breathing into a mouthpiece for about 20 minutes. The device measures oxygen consumption and carbon dioxide output to calculate your metabolic rate precisely.
Afterward:
You’ll learn your exact daily calorie needs, whether your metabolism is fast, slow, or average, and how to adjust your nutrition for fat loss, maintenance, or performance.
💡 Full-Body Red Light Therapy
Restore, Recover, Recharge
What it is:
Our full-body Red Light Therapy sessions use medical-grade red and near-infrared light to support cellular regeneration, reduce inflammation, accelerate recovery, and improve circulation and skin health. The light wavelengths energize your mitochondria — the “powerhouses” of your cells — to enhance performance and healing from the inside out.
Sessions are paired with the Vibration Plate, which provides gentle, full-body micro-movements that activate muscles, improve lymphatic flow, and increase blood circulation. This synergistic combination enhances the absorption of red and near-infrared light, helping you recover faster and feel more energized post-session.
How to prepare:
Arrive with clean, dry skin (no lotions, oils, or makeup).
Remove jewelry or metal accessories.
Wear minimal clothing to allow maximum light exposure.
During your session:
You’ll recline in our full-body Vita Light red light bed for 10–20 minutes and then after you’ll spend a few minutes enjoying the rhythmic stimulation of the Vibration Plate. The experience is gentle, non-invasive, and deeply relaxing — promoting circulation, flexibility, and energy while stimulating collagen production and muscle recovery.
Afterward:
You may feel a mild warmth and a boost in energy immediately following your session. With consistent use, clients report improvements in recovery time, reduced joint stiffness, better muscle tone, enhanced skin health, and a greater overall sense of vitality.
Your Experience at NOVA Body Lab
From start to finish, our team will guide you through each test, ensuring comfort, accuracy, and understanding. You’ll leave with clear data, personalized insight, and a strategy — empowering you to take charge of your health, fitness, and longevity.