The 3 Methods of Altitude Training
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Exercising at Altitude
The Benefits
The body works to overcome the immense challenge of exercise at altitude - both aerobic and anaerobic - through valuable adaptations that lead to improved performance, fitness, and health.
In addition, it allows for intensified cardiovascular exercise to be performed with a reduced load on the musculoskeletal system. This is especially useful for minimizing fitness loss after an injury.
How It’s Performed
By exercising in an altitude chamber, an exercise cubicle tent, or while wearing a training mask connected to an altitude generator.
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Sleeping at Altitude
The Benefits
Sleeping at altitude triggers an increase in erythropoietin (EPO) production, which enhances the oxygen-carrying capabilities of blood through a subsequent increase in red blood cell production and hemoglobin concentration. This adaptation results in a greater tolerance for the reduced oxygen intake experienced at high altitudes, and facilitates an improvement to aerobic performance through a Live High, Train Low routine.
Live High, Train Low
Live High, Train Low is the classic form of altitude training. It involves spending extended periods of time (generally while sleeping) in hypoxic conditions, and then performing active daytime training in normoxic (normal oxygen levels) conditions.
This allows athletes to obtain the benefits associated with increased EPO production, while also enabling them to maintain maximum intensity during exercise.
How It’s Performed
By sleeping in an altitude tent connected to an altitude generator, or in a bedroom converted to an altitude chamber.
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Alternating Altitude
The Benefits
Alternating altitude delivers an acute hypoxic stimulus in order to perform altitude training and trigger beneficial reactions while at rest. While this method is most often used in medical treatments, therapies, and breath training, it is also beneficial for mountaineers and athletes, as it will supplement the pre-acclimatization effort of sleeping at altitude and assist in rehabilitating injured athletes who cannot yet exercise.
How It’s Performed
By holding a training mask connected to an altitude generator, and then alternating between placing the mask on and off at timed intervals.
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Depending on your goals, it may be beneficial to combine two or more of these methods as part of your training program.
Support from the Best
Included with each Hypoxico system is our detailed training literature based on decades of evidence-based research. This will help guide you towards effectively incorporating altitude into your training program.
You'll also have access to our team of professional athletes and experts to answer any questions you have.
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