Altitude training has long been hailed for its powerful health and fitness benefits. Many elite athletes travel to high-altitude locations to gain a performance edge, and it’s easy to understand why: training at altitude prompts the body to produce more red blood cells, which improves oxygen delivery to muscles and can lead to enhanced endurance and cardiovascular fitness.
However, despite its advantages, real altitude training has several practical downsides that make it inaccessible to most. Let’s explore both the benefits and the limitations—and why alternatives like the CellGym device may be a more practical and affordable option.
THE HEALTH BENEFITS OF ALTITUDE TRAINING
At high altitudes, where oxygen levels are lower, the body adapts by producing more red blood cells and increasing haemoglobin concentration. These changes help improve oxygen uptake and transportation, which can boost endurance and physical performance. Among the health and fitness benefits:
ENHANCED CARDIOVASCULAR FITNESS: Increased red blood cell production leads to better oxygen transport, which supports higher levels of cardiovascular endurance and stamina.
INCREASED METABOLIC RATE: At altitude, the body tends to burn more calories, which can support weight management and metabolic health.
IMPROVED RESPIRATORY EFFICIENCY: Altitude training can increase lung capacity and breathing efficiency, enhancing overall respiratory function.
While these benefits are appealing, real altitude training also comes with some significant challenges…
THE DRAWBACKS OF REAL ALTITUDE TRAINING
1. COST
Real altitude training often requires travel to high-altitude destinations, such as the mountains of Colorado, the Swiss Alps, Ethiopia, Kenya or the Andes. This type of travel can be costly, especially if you plan to stay for an extended period, as required for the body to adapt fully to high altitudes. From flights and accommodation to food and gear, the expenses add up quickly, making this option prohibitive for many.
2. LACK OF HOME COMFORTS
Altitude training often means living in remote or rugged environments where amenities and comforts may be limited. In some locations, access to well-equipped training facilities, nutritious meals, and even basic comforts may be minimal. For many, the idea of being away from home in a challenging environment for weeks at a time can be unappealing or simply impractical.
3. TIME COMMITMENT
To benefit fully from real altitude training, a significant time investment is required. The body needs time—often several weeks—to acclimatise and begin producing more red blood cells, and for most people, it’s difficult to take extended periods away from work, family, or other responsibilities. This time commitment makes it hard for non-athletes or those with busy schedules to consider altitude training a feasible option.
4. INACCESSIBLE TO MANY
While the benefits of altitude training are well-documented, these advantages are often inaccessible to the average person due to the high costs, remote locations, and time constraints involved. This has led to the development of alternative methods, such as hypoxic training through the CellGym device, which can simulate altitude conditions without requiring you to leave home.
WHY CELLGYM IS A PRACTICAL ALTERNATIVE TO REAL ALTITUDE TRAINING
CellGym provides a way to experience the benefits of altitude training without the need to travel to high elevations.
By using controlled oxygen-reduced air, the CellGym device allows you to train in a hypoxic environment, prompting the body to make the same adaptive responses as it would at altitude. This is known as Intermittent Hypoxic-Hyperoxic Training (IHHT), and it brings the key benefits of real altitude training in a more accessible, convenient form.
With CellGym, you can experience improved oxygen delivery, enhanced endurance, and other benefits of altitude training while avoiding the challenges of travel, cost, and time commitment.
While real altitude training is undeniably beneficial, the practical drawbacks make it an option few can realistically pursue. The good news is that with innovations like the CellGym device, it’s possible to achieve similar benefits without the inconvenience of travelling to far-flung locations.
WHERE CAN I FIND OUT MORE?
RP-X is the leading provider of the CellGym device in the UK. We have nearly two decades in the space and offer a wide range of turnkey solutions for facilities looking to invest in this technology.
For more information on the device, contact us on info@rp-x.com or 01234 862 762
