What is DNA fitness testing?
DNA fitness testing is a fast-growing trend. The DNA fitness genetic test report lets you access a personalized training plan that is optimal for your genetic nature. In the past, focused fitness training was available exclusively for elite athletes. With developments in genetic testing, it is now available to the consumer audience. So anybody who wants to be fit can be, simply by getting a DNA fitness test done from your favorite DNA fitness company. The DNA fitness genetics report allows you to access the sort of personalized training plan enabling you to achieve a goal-oriented routine. For example, if from your DNA fitness test you find that you are prone to injury in certain areas and have a longer recovery time from intense exercises, your fitness trainer can craft a fitness regime keeping that in mind. As a result not only are you comfortable performing exercises that are tailored for you, you also have the freedom to explore new exercises and reduce your chances for injury.
Which are the best DNA fitness testing companies?
- Xcode Life
- DNAFit
- Fitness Genes
- Athletigene
- Pathway Fit
What do you get from your DNA Fitness test?
The DNA fitness genetic test is a subset of the personalized genetic testing category. Personal genetic testing helps you understand the genetic nature of your body. DNA fitness testing focuses specifically on your fitness genes.
These fitness genes determine a wide range of traits from whether you are a power athlete or an endurance athlete to how long you take to recover from your workouts and optimize your fitness routines as per your genetic type. Today there are many DNA fitness testing companies that provide you with specifics ranging from exercise types to injury risk to how easily you tire.
Some of these DNA fitness companies like Xcode Life Sciences produce DNA fitness genetics reports from 23andme raw DNA data and raw DNA data from other ancestry DNA testing companies such as Ancestry DNA, FTDNA, MyHeritage, Living DNA, National Geographic, and many others. Other companies (including Xcode Life) send you DNA fitness reports by analyzing DNA from your saliva sample collected using an at-home DNA fitness testing kit that is shipped to you.
Genetic tests like genotyping and DNA sequencing are performed on these samples to provide you with a fitness genetic report. DNA fitness tests let you discover gene factors that impact several aspects of physical performance and well-being. Given that there are several companies to choose from, deciding which DNA fitness testing company to go with calls for comparative analysis.
There are some questions you need to ask yourself before you send your saliva sample or upload your 23andme raw data of other ancestry genetic test DNA raw data.
One of the key decision-making factors is how many gene variants a company tests for. Some companies test only for a few variants while some others carry out genetic testing for thousands of variants. Remember, many traits are multigenic, meaning there are multiple genes which could influence a single aspect of your fitness.
Another important factor that should influence your decision to send your saliva sample is the way your reports are presented. Almost all genetic testing companies provide you with a sample report. You can use that to gauge how easy it is to understand and implement the recommendations therein.
For example, Athletigene caters to hardcore athletes. On the other hand companies like Xcode Life, DNA Fit among others give you simple recommendations based on your DNA fitness genes test. However, the DNA fitness information from these companies can also be used professionally.
Fitness testing by DNA raw data analysis
So where do these DNA fitness testing companies get their information from? So how do fitness genes companies estimate these facts about your genetics? Large genome-wide associated studies (GWAS) form the basis of this information. GWAS identifies genetic variants from across the genome which are associated with a specific trait.
Several such peer-reviewed scientific literature is considered and out of these traits that have the most scientific backing and validated results are selected. When you send your samples or upload your DNA raw data to DNA fitness testing companies you get back expert-curated information and consumer-friendly reports. Companies like Xcode Life, however, offer you economical and expert-curated user-friendly reports.
Some of these companies include these scientific studies on their blog, which makes their information more reliable. Another key aspect is user experience- how well the DNAfit reports are structured and whether the information is sufficiently simplified for non-scientific readers to understand.
The recommendations based on the DNA fitness test should be self-explanatory, and practical. Make sure to check out DNAfit reviews online from various sources. Keeping all these in mind, we have put together a list of the 5 best DNA testing companies Xcode Life, Athletigene, DNA Fit, Fitness Genes, and Pathway Fit for personalized fitness, to help you choose wisely.
Which are the DNA fitness genetic testing companies?
| Feature of Comparison | Xcode Life | Athletigen | DNAFit | Pathway Fit | Fitness Genes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overview | Offers SNP genotyping from saliva | Offers SNP genotyping from saliva | Offers SNP genotyping from saliva | Offers SNP genotyping from saliva | Offers SNP genotyping from saliva |
| Raw data accepted from | 23andMe AncestryDNA Family tree DNA Living DNA My Heritage all other major international data providers. | Accepted from only 23andme and Ancestry DNA | Accepted only from 23andme | Does not accept raw data from ancestry DNA companies | Does not accept raw data from ancestry DNA companies |
| No. Of Fitness Traits | Fitness traits – 16 Nutrition Traits- 35 | 30 traits for nutrition and fitness | Fitness traits - 4 | (Pathway Fit)Fitness Traits- 10 (FIT IQ) Fitness Traits - 6 | 10-12 traits |
| No. of Genetic Variants Tested | 300 genetic variants | - | 45 genetic variants | - | 40 genetic variants |
| Products offered | Nutrition, Fitness, Health, Ancestry, Allergy, skin | Fitness, nutrition | Nutrition, Fitness | Nutrition and fitness, Skin report | Genetic test + training for varying periods of time |
| No. of years of service | 7 years (2010) | 3 years (2014) | 5 years(2012) | 9 years (2008) | 4 years (2013 |
| Results turnaround | 24 hours | 6 weeks | 2 weeks | 2 weeks | 2 weeks |
| Privacy Policy | Customers in full control of their raw data which they can delete by themselves without having to secure prior permission. | Non –disclosure of data | Non –disclosure of data | Non –disclosure of data | Non –disclosure of data |
| Report Structure | Reports cover certain important traits. Well structured and easy to understand | Reports cover certain important traits. Well structured and easy to understand | Reports cover certain important traits. Well structured and easy to understand | Reports cover certain important traits. Well structured and easy to understand | Reports cover certain important traits. Well structured and easy to understand |
| Recommendations | 1) Actionable recommendations provided in the report 2) Personalized diet chart | Recommendations provided based on genetic information | Recommendations provided based on genetic information | Recommendations provided based on genetic information, personalized diet chart | Recommendations provided based on genetic information |
| Support | Email, chat | Email, chat | Email, chat | Email, chat | Email, chat |
| Customer base | Global | Global | Global | Global | Global |
| Cost | Starts at 10$ | Premium - 365$ | 299$- 199$ | Pathway fit- 299$ Fit IQ- 124$ | Varies from 499$- 199$ |
| Raw Data | Available on request | Raw data can be downloaded | Raw data cannot be downloaded | Raw data cannot be downloaded | Raw data cannot be downloaded |
| Scientific Research | Scientific research backed by publicly available scientific literature; expert-curated | Scientific research backed by publicly available scientific literature; expert-curated | Scientific research backed by publicly available scientific literature; expert-curated | Scientific research backed by publicly available scientific literature; expert-curated | Scientific research backed by publicly available scientific literature; expert-curated |
| Website Features | Easy to navigate, Detailed product info, information on genes, sample collection video, contact details, FAQs, Information enriched blogs | Easy to navigate, blogs, detailed product info, contact details | Easy to navigate, blogs, detailed product info, contact details | Easy to navigate, blogs, detailed product info, contact details | Easy to navigate, blogs, detailed product info, contact details |
