Education
What Is Altitude Training and How Does It Work?
Discover the science behind simulated altitude training and how training at 11,500 feet can transform your fitness results in less time.
June 1, 2024
The Science
How Altitude Training Works
Every other gym in the world is built on one single variable: effort. Because your body is smart but a little bit lazy, you normally have to force it to change from the outside in by screaming at it with incredibly heavy weights or endless hours of cardio.
The Science
The Biological Upgrade
When you step into our studio, you are instantly standing at a simulated 11,500 feet, breathing 14% oxygen instead of the 21% you are used to. Your body immediately detects this drop in oxygen and flips a biological survival switch. It realizes it has no choice but to adapt and become highly efficient from the inside out.
To do this, your cells activate a master protein called HIF-1. You can think of HIF-1 as the ultimate "construction boss". When oxygen gets low, this boss wakes up and immediately orders three massive biological upgrades:
It builds more delivery trucks
It signals your kidneys to release EPO, which creates a fleet of brand new red blood cells to carry more oxygen throughout your body.
It builds new roads
It triggers the growth of millions of tiny new blood vessels (capillaries) so that blood, oxygen, and nutrients can be delivered directly into your muscle tissue much faster.
It upgrades the power plants
It clears out your old, damaged mitochondria and builds fresh, highly efficient new ones that are trained to produce massive amounts of energy using very little oxygen.
The PayoffHere is the payoff: When your workout ends and you walk back out our front doors, you take all of these upgrades back to sea level with you. Your body is now flooded with an abundance of normal oxygen again, but because you possess these new delivery trucks, roads, and power plants, everything you do outside the gym becomes easier. You are essentially getting a full system upgrade without having to add a single extra minute to your workout routine. You train at 11,500 feet, but you transform at sea level.
The Daily Experience
The Altitude High
On a day-to-day basis, you will experience what coaches call the "altitude high"—a feeling of euphoria and sustained energy caused by the hormonal and neurological responses to the training.
Accelerated Recovery
Because your body's oxygen delivery system is now highly efficient, you will recover from intense physical efforts much quicker and smoother than before.
Sustained Energy
Feel euphoric and energized throughout your day with hormonal and neurological optimization.
Faster Recovery
Recover quicker from intense workouts with your body's newly optimized oxygen delivery system.
Proven Benefits
What You'll Experience
Training at 11,500 feet triggers powerful physiological adaptations that transform your body from the inside out.
Time Multiplier
Burn More in Less Time
Train at 14% oxygen and burn significantly more calories and fat in the exact same amount of time.
Fat Loss
Accelerated Results
Shift metabolism to burn fat faster while naturally suppressing appetite through hormone regulation.
Strength Building
Zero Joint Pain
Build lean muscle with light weights while keeping knees, back, and shoulders completely safe.
VO2 Max Boost
Supercharged Endurance
Dramatically improve stamina and oxygen capacity for effortless daily activities and race performance.
Faster Recovery
Clear Lactic Acid
Push harder and recover breath faster between intense exercises when others are exhausted.
Sharper Focus
Better Memory
Clear brain fog, improve daily focus, and protect long-term cognitive health with BDNF production.
Metabolic Reset
Blood Sugar Control
Reverse insulin resistance and stabilize energy levels by improving glucose processing.
Lower Blood Pressure
Stronger Heart
Naturally reduce arterial stiffness and build a healthier cardiovascular system.
Cellular Energy
All-Day Vitality
Replace damaged mitochondria with efficient new ones that produce more natural energy.
Stronger Bones
Rejuvenated Skin
Build denser bones and deliver fresh nutrients to skin for a healthy, youthful glow.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions
Fitness & Performance
Health & Wellness
Logistics & Safety
Condition-Specific Questions
Myth Busting
Busting the Myths
The truth about training at 11,500 feet.
Common Myths
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