What is Altitude Training

Our purpose-built 50 m2 altitude room can accommodate up to 20 people at a time. It is the largest publicly accessible altitude training facility in W.A., and one of the largest in the southern hemisphere.

It takes around four weeks with a minimum training time of two 30-minute sessions per week to get measurable results. Your body needs time to produce more red blood cells and make other metabolic and physiological adjustments. When these adjustments occur, you will have an increased ability to breathe more easily and make the most of the available oxygen you breathe.

Our altitude training room can mimic an altitude of up to 5000m where only 10% of oxygen is in the room. At sea level, oxygen levels are 20.9%.

At sea level, dry air contains 70.09% nitrogen, 9% oxygen, .93% oxygen and .04% carbon dioxide. In our altitude room, we have an oxygen and carbon dioxide monitor. This helps the system to assess the current hypoxic level in the room and will start to pump in hypoxic air/normal air to get the room to the desired hypoxic levels.

The effects of altitude training will stay with you for approximately two to three weeks.

Altitude training is more beneficial than sea level training. When training at altitude, you will see a significant improvement in red blood cell count, haemoglobin mass, hematocrit and erythropoietin – all of these have been linked to athletic performance. An increase in red blood cells leads to a superior amount of energy, and this can be achieved through a variety of altitude training protocols, in addition to sleeping. Intermittent hypoxic training programs, such as repeat sprint hypoxia are the most effective and have been proven to adapt your body and boost performance by up to 50% while sleeping boost performance by only 5%.

No. Training at real altitude will make you lose power, but simulated altitude will not. This is because you can combine regular training with altitude training. It is the continuous exposure to high altitude (in traditional high altitude training) that negatively affects power.

No. You will be training in normobaric conditions (same barometric conditions as sea level) which will avoid hyperventilation or vasodilation of blood vessels which normally cause AMS. Also, your lowered oxygen level exposure time will be limited.

Our altitude room regularly holds a treadmill, Concept 2 rowing machines and Watt bikes. This equipment can be rented out individually for self-training, or you can be guided by our coaches following a program specifically designed to help you reach your intended goal. The room can also be cleared to make room for boxing, yoga and other various classes.

Anyone who wants to achieve significant gains in their health and fitness can benefit from altitude training, whether you’re a professional athlete or keen sports/fitness enthusiast. We often see cyclists, swimmers, runners, climbers, hikers triathletes and team sports players such as those playing football, hockey and soccer.

Yes, simulated altitude training is legal for any sport. Altitude training was declared legal by the World Anti-Doping Agency. They reason it ‘levels the playing field’ for those competing in less elevated locations.

Altitude training makes your body more oxygen efficient, so when you are exposed to low oxygen, your body is less stressed and can cope with other physical stressors more effectively.

Training in a simulated environment is safe for everyone; however, if you are pregnant, have high blood pressure, asthma or other medical issues, we will require your GP’s approval before commencing exercise.

High-altitude training is no more dangerous than flying. On an airplane, you receive 15% oxygen while altitude training gives you a fraction less oxygen: 13 to 14%. And, given that you are in a screened, regulated training program with constant supervision, altitude training is considered safer than most gyms.

Navy Seals, AFL clubs, including Fremantle Dockers, Hawthorn, Manchester City Football Club, Manchester Unity, Tottenham Hotspur, Aston Villa, Liverpool, England Rugby Union, Leinster Rugby Union, Worcester Warriors and RFC all benefit from altitude training.

All sessions are 30 minutes and strictly by appointment. Book an appointment online by logging on to Mindbody. Alternatively, please call 0436 472 206 or contact us here.