After seeing the ads at numerous UFC events, and eyeing the stand conveniently placed by OTM Fight Shop’s cash register, I decided to get myself a Training Mask.  Why?  Last week, I wasn’t able to train for most of the week, and I felt bad.  I figured that I had to throw myself back into the swing of things, and this was the best way to do it.  By simulating training at altitude.

I’ll let the training mask description do the job of explaining what it is.  I’m actually pretty winded.

Training Mask will make your workout so efficient, you can actually cut the amount of time spent in training by as much as two-thirds. Simply strap it on and begin your normal work out. Within days, you’ll see the difference!

It’s really simple science. By conditioning your lungs and creating pulmonary resistance, your diaphragm is strengthened, thereby making your lungs work harder. When lungs work harder, the surface area and elasticity in the alveoli is increased, thus increasing your stamina and ability to go harder at your sport – or simply have increased energy for daily living.

Our multi-level resistance system uses our patented (PAT.8.590.533 B2) “Resistance Training Device” flux valve system, forcing you to inhale fuller, deep breaths. While your body adapts, your lungs will be trained to take deeper breaths and use the available oxygen more efficiently. Increasing your alveoli’s surface area will transport more oxygen via your red blood cells and carry it to the extremities.

I’ve been using it since yesterday, and I can say that training with it is pretty damn tough.  The training mask makes you take really deep breaths when you train, and anything less than that doesn’t go through.  So if you have a habit of hyperventilating when you train, this might be the cure for it.  Or it’ll kill you.

In my next entry, I’ll do a follow-up on this training mask, with a more indepth look at the individual components that make it up, and how it can simulate breathing at 18,000 feet.  Not that you would.  Or maybe.