Altitude Tent

I'd be kind of pissed if my neighborhood (elev. 50') training partner was sleeping at elevation every night.

I don't think there is anything unethical. It is a viable training method for those with access to real altitude or those who live there in general. The tents are just a technological way to create a natural environment. They won't be banned in my opinion.

I have used one before and the only thing I can say is I'm not sure if they are worth the cost/hassle of using them. Getting a really good night of sleep is important for recovery. Sometimes I would wake up the next morning and felt like I hadn't even slept. After about a month I was getting wrinkles and such that weren't there previously (really). I'm not a vain person but at age 22 it was odd. I would also have small injuries that wouldn't go away when usually after a couple good nights w/o of the tent they were gone.

I ended up selling it because I realized that "training at night" was kind of a paradox, I needed that strong deep level sleep. If you go with it I'd say be very conservative about the altitude, its also impossible to know what altitude is the right level for improvements but allows good sleep. Personally I'd rather sleep in a hyperbaric chamber and get great recovery than an altitude tent.

to altitude or not to altitude wrote:

The tents are just a technological way to create a natural environment. They won't be banned in my opinion.

Agreed. I understand people questioning them, but I don't see them as significantly different than a heated gym or indoor track. In magnitude, sure, but in principle, no.

I'd also like to add that "ethical" is one of those "eye of the beholder" things. Even if its not specifically banned by WADA, you still could get a certain stigma if you tell people you're using one. Some people would think its cool, others would be interested in the science, some wouldn't care and others would think you're trying to buy yourself time.

Pros can use them without real consequence b/c they're expected to pull out all the stops to try and win. But if you run like 60 mpw, have a 9-5 and use an altitude tent its a bit odd to some people.

I purchased an altitude tent this last summer.

(1) Be prepared to spend 10-14 hours a day in it.

(2) Do lots of research, i have found spending 5 nights in, 2 nights out, works best. And some people just don't react to altitude.

(3) It gets very hot and stuffy in the tent (even with a fan) make sure your allergies can handle it.

(4) Be prepared to spend at least $30 a month on liquid iron.

(5) Be prepared for your energy bill to go up significantly. An altitude generator is the equivalent of having a hair dryer on.

(6) Enjoy having to explain to a girl (non-runner) that wants to come over and see your place that you live in a bubble.

Overall I am happy with the tent. My running improved, but it takes time. Be patient, empty your wallet, and enjoy.

this last post had me laughing. nice job. just curious, did you see an effect on your performance on the track?

Haven't had it long enough, got it in July. My XC was improved.

Even if your not some who responds to altitude, it does create somewhat of a placebo effect, mentally just feeling like you have a huge advantage over someone (even if you don't)really helps out. I went out quite hard in several races just expecting not to die (too hard) because I had the altitude advantage.

to altitude or not to altitude wrote:

I'd also like to add that "ethical" is one of those "eye of the beholder" things. Even if its not specifically banned by WADA, you still could get a certain stigma if you tell people you're using one. Some people would think its cool, others would be interested in the science, some wouldn't care and others would think you're trying to buy yourself time.

Pros can use them without real consequence b/c they're expected to pull out all the stops to try and win. But if you run like 60 mpw, have a 9-5 and use an altitude tent its a bit odd to some people.

Norway's Olympic committee/government sports commission declare them unethical years ago; they are illegal in Italy. US athletes could not use them in Torino.

SilkySlim wrote:

I'd be kind of pissed if my neighborhood (elev. 50') training partner was sleeping at elevation every night.

So, would you be pissed if you raced in Phoenix and someone from Flagstaff drove down for the race?

higher peak.com

Cheaper.

actually found best prices were from altitudetech.ca , i checked my friends higherpeak one out and it was way louder. i got mine all in for $2499 USD shipped!

anything thats helps improve a pb is not unethical!

Try one of the Colemans for sale at Walmart. They ROCK!

luv2run wrote:

Norway's Olympic committee/government sports commission declare them unethical years ago; they are illegal in Italy. US athletes could not use them in Torino.

Yet the Italian cyclists see nothing wrong with blood doping and EPO?

I just wrote an intro to an article about altitude tents for my club team to inform more people about how this is by no means an easy fix to getting faster. There's really no magic bullet in anything. I believe there really isn't anything unethical about making your life even more restricted, being even more disciplined and adding the element that its even tougher to recover; all of which comes with using altitude.

Here is is:

"Danny Mackey writes back in 2008 about his experience to step up his training and use an altitude tent. Many elite athletes can adapt and benefit from this lifestyle. The only problem is that its not a simple decision of getting the tent and sleeping away. If you've ever thought about professionals who train this way and lean to the jealous side of "that would be nice" or "no wonder they are so fast"; you might be surprised to hear some of the horror stories.

For outsiders, most assume the biggest risk is investing their hard earned money to get this luxury. Like the mystery of training to get to your optimal performance, it takes the right genetics, discipline with exceptional nutrition, added rest and wise decisions to get accustomed to this added stress. Run Portland's Mackey tells his story of how this supplement lead to the exact opposite of what he was looking for.

He is not alone as many other top-notch athletes have not had that success others they envy have achieved through this technology. For the few with simulated altitude opportunities, there are those who can effectively cope with the stresses of low oxygen and come out faster and stronger than ever. It can be very tempting to wonder if it could work for you if you ever got the opportunity when you hear so much about the world's best runners adding this into their lifestyle. As time goes on and this becomes more popular more research is bound to come out. Here's one side to the story.

Continue on to read Mackey's account of Living At Altitude".

-Julia Webb

(Links to an old article he wrote on flotrack -

http://www.flotrack.org/articles/view/680-living-the-high-life-by-danny-mackey

)