Altitude Training in general
What does "Altitude Training" mean?
In Altitude Training, the body is stimulated by a specific undersupply of oxygen (the so-called hypoxia) in order to achieve an increase in performance or to use other positive effects. To do so a hypoxic generator is used to filter oxygen out of the ambient air and fill a high-altitude tent with this oxygen-reduced air.
What is "pre-acclimatisation"?
In pre-acclimatisation, a hypoxic generator is used to filter oxygen out of the ambient air and fill a high-altitude tent with this oxygen-reduced air. The mountaineer can then sleep in the tent, which is set up on his own bed, exposing his body to hypoxia and triggering all the processes that would otherwise take place on the mountain during classic acclimatisation. The mountaineer acclimatizes comfortably while sleeping and at home and can thus shorten the expedition time and minimize risks on the mountain. More information available at: https://camp4.rocks/en/leistungen/bergsteigen-vorakklimatisation/
What effects does altitude training have on the body?
Altitude training has many positive effects. The body learns to cope with hypoxia and adapts its physical processes to the undersupply of oxygen. More red blood cells are produced, respiration changes, energy metabolism increases and so on. This allows you to benefit from increased performance, weight loss, and all the benefits described under “Fields of application”:
However, just as in “real” altitude, unpleasant symptoms of acclimatization such as sleep disorders, headache or Cheyne-Stokes breathing can also occur in the hypoxic tent. And just like at real altitude, everyone reacts individually – some more, some significantly less. If you stay on the same altitude for several nights, the symptoms disappear once you have acclimatized to that altitude. They don't reappear until you go higher. Although these symptoms can be annoying, they are an important part of altitude adaption and show that it works - and that you do benefit from all the positive effects of hypoxia as well.
Is there a minimum duration for altitude training?
The minimum duration for a hypoxic training is one week to 10 days in order to witness any of the positive effects and gain a real advantage out of the training.
For sport purposes we recommend a duration of three to four weeks in order to being able to recognise clear progress.
And for mountaineering purposes it depends on the targeted summit and desired expedition duration. Please get in touch with us and we'll give more advice!
How long is altitude training effective afterwards?
The effect of altitude training can last up to 5 weeks and longer, but is individual for each person. Since the biological lifespan of red blood cells is limited to 120 days, an effect beyond 4 months is impossible.
Is altitude training doping?
NO. Hypoxic training is not classified as doping by WADA (World Anti Doping Agency). An athlete can thus legally improve his performance. However, the hematocrit value, which describes the relationship between solid components and plasma in the blood, must be observed. It can increase slightly with altitude training. If this value is above a certain threshold value during a measurement, WADA perceives this as an indication for a doping attempt and the athlete receives a protective ban for a few weeks.
Is altitude training also for hobby athletes?
YEAH. A well planned altitude training can also be useful for hobby athletes. What is needed is endurance at a good level and a good state of health in order to draw positive effects from hypoxic training.
Is altitude training harmful?
Basically, altitude training is not harmful! The basis for a positive altitude training is a good state of health, because due to the increased haematocrit value hypoxic training makes the blood thicker. This increases the risk of thrombosis and vascular occlusion for people who have problems with blood clotting and their heart. For these people altitude training is not recommended!
Usage of a hypoxic system
Can I set up the hypoxic tent myself?
Sure you can! The tent does only need little time to be built. There's a detailed manual and a video tutorial from us in which we show how to set up the tent in just a few minutes.
How does the hypoxic generator work?
With a natural rock filter (zeolite) in the generator, oxygen is extracted from the sucked in ambient air and then blown into a tent. By regulating the filter performance, the oxygen saturation in the air can be specifically controlled and a wide range of altitudes, up to over 7,000 metres, can be simulated. The generator contains no hazardous substances, i. e. neither chemicals nor batteries. An additional HEPA filter helps to keep the air in the tent clean.
Do I get a personal training plan?
When booking the hypoxic system, you will be asked about your specific plan. Precise instructions and a rough training plan tailored to your project will then be delivered with your rental system. The exact sequence of the altitude or hypoxic training is very individual and strongly depends on the adaptability of your body to the hypoxia. Through regular measurements of your vital data and continuous observation of your body, the rough training plan is then adapted to your personal needs.
Will I be supervised in altitude training?
For general questions about the hypoxic generator and training we are always at your disposal. However, the training phase is usually not supervised: you receive precise instructions and then complete the altitude training on your own.
Anyone wo would like to be supervised by experienced professionals, can book this support for an additional fee of € 150. You provide us daily with your vital data and we will adjust the generator settings every day so that you can make your training as effective as possible.
Does the noise of the generator interfere with your sleep?
The generator actually causes a certain noise level, but can - depending on the room layout - be placed outside of the bedroom. To do so, the device comes with an approx. 6 meter long hose. Usually, everybody gets used to the monotonous noise after a few nights.
Height Training Procedure
Should sports be practiced during hypoxic training?
Sport is essential for a healthy lifestyle, both with and without hypoxic training. In order to reach your goal, be it a competition, an expedition or a state of health, hypoxic training is supported by your sport activity, which will increase your training effect.
What should my diet look like in high altitude training?
If altitude training is used for performance enhancement or pre-aclimatization, it is very important to maintain a constant body weight. With increasing altitude the body will consume more energy on the one hand and on the other hand the feeling of hunger will decrease. These factors mean that less energy is absorbed than consumed and weight is lost.
Therefore it would be advisable to use the following tips:
- To record the body weight daily in order to be able to recognize a weight loss as fast as possible and adapt your diet accordingly
- Conscious, balanced diet is especially important during hypoxic training
- Use carbohydrate and regeneration drinks after each exercise and increase the consumption of energy-rich foods
If altitude training is used for weight reduction, we recommend that you record your body weight at least twice a day. In addition, a healthy and balanced diet is very important, especially during training. We do not recommend to follow a diet at the same time in order not to burden the body twice. Our Our certified dietician will be happy to put together an individual nutrition plan for you.
What is the difference between passive and active hypoxic training?
Passive hypoxic training describes sleeping in a high altitude tent. Here the described effects occur ‘completely during sleep'. In contrary, active hypoxic training is physical training with an oxygen mask that simulates altitude. In our experience, passive hypoxic training is sufficient as most of the positive effects are already achieved during sleep. The active hypoxic training then of course supports you even more and gives your body further stimulus. Please feel free to contact usin case of any questions! For hygienic reasons, we do not lend oxygen masks for active hypoxic Training but sell them when needed.
Booking Procedure
How does the booking process work?
The booking for our hypoxic system is done via our website. After you have filled in our booking form, you will be asked to make the payment. Once that is done, we will prepare the shipment of your hypoxic system: You will receive two packages with the generator and accessories to your desired address. At the same time you receive all documents and information via e-mail (instructions, training plan, etc.). Now you're ready to go: You complete the training program - when booked under the guidance of our experts. We will be at your disposal during this time.
After the end of the program, you pack the generator and the accessories and our shipping company picks up the packages for the return shipment directly at your home again.
How much does the rental service cost?
Our current rental prices and many other important information can be found under Booking - Prices .
What do I need to know about shipping the hypoxic system?
Shipping will be organized so that you receive your system no later than the day you start your rental. Please note that parcels are only delivered on working days. If nobody is home on weekdays, we therefore recommend that you provide an alternative delivery address (such as the address of your place of work, neighbours, friends or family) so that parcels can be received and do not have to be collected from the parcel shop. At the end of the rental period, your parcel will be picked up by the delivery service at the specified delivery address and returned to us.
The current shipping costs can also be found on the Prices page. Alternatively, the system can also be collected from our office in 6020 Innsbruck, Hoettinger Gasse 12, and returned to us. In this case of course no shipping costs will be charged.
What payment options are there?
You have the possibility to pay with your preferred payment option. With us you can pay with your cards (Visa, Mastercard, Maestro, American Express), PayPal or local payment methods (SEPA, Multibanco, SOFORT, Giropay, . . . ).