The latest video from the Buttery Bros takes viewers inside Adidas’ high-tech sports science lab in Germany, offering an exclusive look at the future of athletic training. Known for their deep dives into fitness, training, and elite competition, the duo went through a series of tests designed to measure endurance, biomechanics, and performance thresholds. Alongside some of the fittest athletes in the world, they pushed their limits, analyzed their strengths, and even got to test unreleased Adidas gear.
“Could this be the future of fitness?” they ask, as they gear up for a CrossFit Open workout to put all their newfound data to the test.
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The Science Behind Athletic Performance
At Adidas’ Innovation Lab, the Buttery Bros underwent full-body scans to collect precise biometric data, including weight, body fat percentage, limb lengths, and foot measurements. This kind of analysis allows athletes to better understand their movement patterns and make informed decisions about footwear and training.
One of the standout features of the lab is its motion capture technology, where 46 small markers were placed on their bodies to track movement during exercises like running, lunges, and deadlifts. Using a 16-camera Vicon system, Adidas’ experts could pinpoint inefficiencies in form and assess how fatigue affects mechanics.
“This has been a long-time goal of mine—to get these tracker balls on me,” one of the Buttery Bros joked. “I thought it would be for a video game, but this is all in the name of science.”
How Lactic Threshold Affects Performance
The next phase of testing focused on lactic threshold, a key indicator of endurance. Athletes wore a respiratory mask to measure oxygen consumption, fat oxidation, and carbohydrate use while running. Then, after completing a high-intensity functional fitness workout, they repeated the test to compare pre- and post-exertion data.
The results revealed how the body redistributes oxygen under fatigue. One of the Adidas scientists explained, “Oxygen uptake during the second run is lower because the body is prioritizing the muscles that need it most. This means the same pace feels harder after exertion.”
Next came a lactic acid ramp test, where participants performed progressively harder rounds of thrusters and burpees. Every five minutes, the thruster weight increased while the number of burpees rose by one rep. The goal was to see how much lactic acid accumulated before the body could no longer sustain the effort.
The highest recorded lactate score was 17, a number typically seen in power athletes. In contrast, endurance athletes tend to cap out around 7-8, demonstrating a more efficient energy system.
Individualized Training for Maximum Gains
After gathering extensive data on their performance, the Buttery Bros and their fellow athletes participated in a customized workout designed around their individual lactate thresholds. Each person had a different rep scheme for movements like pull-ups, wall balls, power snatches, and deadlifts to ensure they were working at their optimal intensity without over-fatiguing.
“Even a small tweak in rep count can make a massive difference in lactate levels,” one of the Adidas trainers explained. “The goal is to match lactate production with clearance so that an athlete can sustain the effort for a longer period.”
At first, the custom scaling felt counterintuitive. “I won’t lie, it was a little insulting to see my numbers so low,” one of the Buttery Bros admitted. “But after putting my ego aside, I realized it worked out perfectly. I felt challenged but not wrecked.”
This method of training at the threshold without exceeding it allows athletes to accumulate more volume over time while avoiding burnout. Adidas’ experts suggest that by slowly increasing workload by 5-10% over several weeks, athletes can see major improvements in endurance and recovery.
Testing Unreleased Adidas Gear
Between workouts, the Buttery Bros explored Adidas’ sneaker archive, getting an up-close look at legendary shoes like the Superstar, Stan Smith, and the original 1970 World Cup soccer ball. They also got a sneak peek at Adidas’ unreleased training shoes, the Drop Step and Rapid Movement, which they tested during high-impact movements.
“My latest review? These are solid,” one of the Bros said after jumping, lifting, and sprinting in the shoes. “Firm enough to lift in, but with enough bend and control to run comfortably.”
The CrossFit Open Workout 25.1
To put their training to the test, the Buttery Bros headed to a local CrossFit affiliate for the first workout of the 2025 CrossFit Open.
“This is a workout that anyone can do,” they said, emphasizing its accessibility. “That’s the whole point of the Open—it’s for everyone.”
They weren’t the only ones pushing their limits. One participant, Rich, shared his inspiring fitness journey, revealing that he first discovered CrossFit by watching the Buttery Bros’ documentaries on a flight years ago. “As soon as I got home, I signed up for a gym,” he said. Now, he’s preparing to run the Boston Marathon.
The Future of Fitness
Adidas’ approach to training combines biomechanics, endurance science, and data-driven personalization, offering a glimpse into the future of athletic performance.
The biggest takeaway? Training smarter, not harder, leads to better long-term results.
By understanding lactic thresholds, biomechanics, and recovery strategies, athletes can improve their performance without overtraining. Whether it’s through custom scaling, analyzing movement patterns, or using state-of-the-art footwear, science-backed training methods are changing the way athletes push their limits.
“Seven years ago, we started doing the Open,” one of the Bros reflected. “And every year, we learn something new about how to train better.”
With cutting-edge technology and individualized programming, the future of fitness looks more precise—and more effective—than ever.
