Frequently Asked Questions
- Where is the testing facility located?
The address of our lab is 950 New Hampshire Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20052. We are located in the Milken Institute School of Public Health Building. The building is one block from the Foggy Bottom metro station and faces Washington Circle. Please enter the first floor lobby and sign in with security at the front desk or show GW ID. Please remain in the lobby, a member of our staff will meet and escort you to the labs.
Running late? Please call/email (istart
gwu [dot] edu / 202-994-2654). We will do our best to honor your appointment, but please be aware if you are more than 10-15 minutes late we may not be able to honor your appointment.- What should I wear?
Some assessments have certain clothing restrictions. See the specific test you are interested in for more detailed preparation info. For your convenience we have a changing room.
DXA: Any thin, comfortable clothing without any metal zippers, snaps, or buttons is acceptable. For females, we recommend wearing any type of bra without underwire, such as a sports bra.
- Am I allowed to exercise on the day of, or prior to, testing?
In general, we recommend that you abstain from vigorous exercise for 12-24 hours prior to testing. See the specific test you are interested in for more detailed preparation info.
- How long must I wait after eating or drinking before testing?
See the specific test you are interested in for more detailed preparation info. If doing an RMR test, we recommend doing the test in the morning off an overnight fast (water is fine). Also avoid caffeine on the day of any body composition assessment or RMR assessment.
- Do you offer any packages or discounts for multiple assessments?
In addition to the DXA + RMR Test Package, we offer several other testing bundles. Please note these packages never expire and can even be transferred/gifted to another person. However, they must be paid in full at the time of the first visit and cannot be refunded.
Multiple DXA Test Package Options
Cost
2 DXA*
$ 350
4 DXA*
$ 400
6 DXA*
$ 450
8 DXA*
$ 500
12 DXA*
$ 600
*you can add on an RMR test for additional $40 at the time of visit
We also offer a VO2max + Lactate Threshold Test Package for $275. Please note that these tests must be done on separate visits for optimal results, but you can bundle them together for a reduced cost.
Interested in a test bundle not listed here? Please out to us at istart
gwu [dot] edu / 202-994-2654.- What forms of payment do you accept?
We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. You will be asked to pay at check-in for the test. Payment by credit card only. We do not accept insurance, but you may contact your provider directly to ask if they may reimburse you for some services.
- Is there parking available?
We recommend taking metro when possible. If this is not an option for you, there are several commercial parking garages located near the building as well as limited metered street parking. For more information regarding GW garage fees, please visit https://transportation.gwu.edu/visitor-parking. Refer to the Foggy Bottom parking options. We do not validate parking.