Training masks (simulating altitude) - thoughts?

[redman101nz]

There's a couple of guys at my gym using these for aerobic fitness and pre-fight weight loss (Training Mask 2.0)

I tried it and found (as expected) that it makes everything like cardio, bag work etc. much harder.

But is it worth me spending $100 on one?

My next fight is May 2nd, and I'm keen to hear about anyone's experiences using them.

[Furn]

That doesnt really simulate alititude training it just makes your breathing muscles work harder by providing resistance. So you're not going to higher levels of epo and therefore more red blood cells like you supposedly do with altitude training.

The trouble with training at altitude is due to the thin air you cant train as hard as you can at sea level and while your red blood cells become higher you lose that very quickly when you return to breathing normal air.

It might be the same with this, you are working your lungs harder but you wont be able to trains as long or as hard as you could without the mask.

Worth a go but its hard to say if it will help or not.

[NVSemin]

Donaire used them - result: loss to Rigo and then he got KTFO.

Skill wins fights.

[Biolink]

A guy at my gym uses one of these. He says it feels like breathing through a straw.

As mentioned before only training at altitude or one of those hyperbolic chambers can increase your red blood cells.

I guess ultimately it'll make your diaphragm stronger by making you use more of your abdomen to breathe, which should make your lungs stronger, but that's not exactly the same thing as what's going on at altitude and there are other ways to to increase your stamina without going through the discomfort of choking yourself.

[Southpawology]

Training masks are a fitness marketing gimmick. Stuff a sock in your mouth and tie a rag across your face and you'll get the same effect. Just train hard thats all you gotta do.

[CANELOLUJAH]

you lose the benefits of high altitude training with in a day or so of come back down to lower evaluation, but the physiological effect might be everything to the athelete thinking you done something high tech better and harder etc etc might give you the edge you need.

[PainfromUkraine]

Yeah I use the mask, and I use it on the highest altitude 'setting'. Basically some filters you can adjust on the mask, and for me it actually gives me a burst of energy...like when I'm on the heavybag and feeling sluggish, I put the mask on and I get a lot more snap on my punches. My heart rate also seems to recover much faster and I'm not really getting tired in terms of how my breathing is, rather just muscle exhaustion.

I don't use the mask enough often, which is my problem, but it is worth it if you are serious about improving your stamina and cardio, although it is pricey.