Click Here For Your Free All Natural Bodybuilding Magazine Subscription
Elevation Training Masks for Bodybuilding: Do They Work?
Elevation Training Masks restrict breathing, they make it harder, so not only do they look a little peculiar adorned to the face of individuals in the gym – think Bane from Batman – but they also change the dynamics within which those people are training. The question is however, do these masks actually work, and is it worth wearing one to see any gains? Here we look at the issue of the masked men, and if their choice in fashion affects their gains in the gym.
Training at elevation used to be the luxury of the elite athlete, where top names in sports such as boxing, cycling or long distance running, would go away to another country, and live and train at altitude. The restricted oxygen levels at such heights meant that the individual would struggle to perform at the same level as they did, when at sea level, as the body struggled to deliver the necessary oxygen to the muscle groups where it was needed. But the body is a fantastic piece of engineering, it adapts and creates more red blood cells which enables it to ship higher levels of oxygen around than before and thus enable the individual to perform at the same level as before. However, it is when that person descends back to sea level that the results are much clearer. Suddenly they have an advantage. They have a body capable of shifting more oxygen around due to its previous shortage, now operating in an environment where it is once again in abundance. Then the gains can be seen as this extra “bonus” oxygen improves endurance. Yet, within time, the body adapts once again, and all off the previous gains are lost as the red blood cell count returns to normal.
But we as individuals, with our limited resources and funds, cannot simply go abroad to train. We have only a gym day pass or a flexible gym membership that allows us to train for an hour or so 3-4 times per week. This is where the mask comes in, it is aiming to give you the benefit of elevation training, without the need to scale the great heights themselves, so that your body can adapt and gain more quickly, as if it has been away in foreign climbs. But does it work?
By making it harder to breathe, the body gets less oxygen. The mask is mimicking an altitude environment. But making it harder does not necessarily increase the cardiorespiratory fitness level of the individual. When the athlete trains at altitude, he also lives at altitude, so the body is exposed to the same lack of oxygen 24/7 not just for 90 minutes. This may not be long enough for the body to really notice, let alone train. Also, wearing it for anaerobic workouts such as resistance training, which doesn’t use oxygen in the same way, makes the claims a little more doubtful.
Bodybuilding
The mask and bodybuilding are a common combination, but think about the facts. If for example you undertake squats for 30 seconds or so, then the intake of oxygen is not going to change a great deal – but the ability to breathe is. You will need to breathe freely when lifting weights otherwise it can be dangerous. When wearing the mask you will probably engage in shallow breaths which does not stabilize your core, a crucial component in performing any lift properly. By restricting the air intake through the mask, you are not going to gain proper form, and thus you are at a higher risk of an injury – and injuries do nothing positive for training.
Living at altitude changes the body, but mimicking it for short periods may not. Unless the body is constantly exposed to altitude, there is no change. Perhaps it would be better for the masks therefore to be worn when not training and then pushing on through the training at sea level, and without the mask, to see the best gains, but that is simply impractical.
For aerobic exercise, the mask may feel like it is beneficial, even if it isn’t. For bodybuilding and anaerobic exercise, it may simply be inadvisable. But then again, I'm not going to be the one telling the Bane lookalike in the gym that his mask is silly!
Living at altitude changes the body, but mimicking it for short periods may not. Unless the body is constantly exposed to altitude, there is no change. Perhaps it would be better for the masks therefore to be worn when not training and then pushing on through the training at sea level, and without the mask, to see the best gains, but that is simply impractical.
For aerobic exercise, the mask may feel like it is beneficial, even if it isn’t. For bodybuilding and anaerobic exercise, it may simply be inadvisable. But then again, I’m not going to be the one telling the Bane lookalike in the gym that his mask is silly!
Natural Bodybuilding | Training | Supplements | Magazine | Articles | Advice | Tips | Links
Click Here For Your Free All Natural Bodybuilding Magazine Subscription
Disclaimer: This information presented is intended to be used for educational purposes only. The statements made have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (U.S.). These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any condition or disease. Please consult with your own physician or health care practitioner regarding any suggestions and recommendations made.
