High altitude training mask

Quality246

Just wondering has anyone used a altitude training mask and are they any good improving your stamina ?

Mellor

General opinion is that there's a lot of BS in their marketing.
It doesn't replicate high altitude training. At high altitude, the air is less dense, so every litre of air has less oxygen. So you body produces more red blood cells to cope.
With these masks, it's the same air, so 1 litre of air through the mask has the same oxygen as without.

Edit: the resistance might be a benefit, but it might not. I've never used one for very long.

John_D80

Read an article on this in an old running magazine that I found in work just last week actually. According to the article, The 'off the shelf' one's only simulate restricted breathing and not high altitude conditions as mentioned above by Mellor.

There are machines available that effectively simulate the 'thin air' experience but they involve strapping bottles of oxygen to your back. And because you are taking them off after training, and not living day to day in those conditions, the effects are undone. Totally useless as a training tool.

They cost a fortune as well. I think they compared the cost and found that it was only like 20% more expensive to go train somewhere in spain (I think) for a month than it was to run and maintain the machine they tested for a month if it was used properly.

Subcomandante Marcos

You're better off trying to find cheap flights to somewhere like La Paz or Quito and doing a few weeks full time training over there. Cost more but you'll actually benefit from it once you don't succumb to altitude sickness.

If you want a possible contact give me a pm.

killwill

There are gyms though that have "high altitude" training areas right?
As in the are in a room under high altitude conditions. They do spinning classes, etc in them.
I think there is one in UL but may only be for pro athletes.
There is also one in the Delta Sports Dome, also in Limerick.