Elevation Training Mask 2.0. Does it Work?

Track season has started, so everyone, including me, wants to maximize their speed and stamina. I am a 400 meter runner so both speed  and stamina are extremely important to my race. One of the tools I have Started training with is the elevation training mask 2.0. I am still doing my normal workout and cardio, but I put on the mask. I can safely say. . . It works. After using it for only a week I am already noticing a difference in my overall endurance.

The training mask simulates higher elevations by reducing the amount of oxygen finding its way into your lungs. This forces you  to take deeper, fuller breaths. You can adjust the elevation by rearranging the air resistance caps. The mask is sized based on your weight, but any sized sleeve will fit any sized mask.

I bought the “Black Out” mask for $80 at Academy. you can also order them from their website at   https://www.trainingmask.com/      I highly recommend you get one.

Lower Body Workout

Lower Body: Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday

• Squats: 3 sets, 10 repetitions. Use weight that gets difficult around the 7th rep
• Leg Curls: 3 sets, 12 repetitions. This needs to get really hard towards the 2nd set. You should be just about dead by the end of it. Rest for a few minutes.
• Leg Press: 3 sets, 15 repetitions. LOTS of weight. This exercise is a lot easier than leg curls.
• Green Sally’s: 1 set. For those of you who don’t know what this is, you squat when the song says down, and you come back up when the song says up. Be sure you stay down until it says up because the song does it at different times. Here is the song           https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6A2V9Bu80J4
• jump rope: 3 minutes
• Calve workout:3 sets, 25 reps. I don’t know the name of the exercise, but it is the typical calve workout. I use lots of weight on this too.

I repeat the whole workout one more time then take it easy for the rest of the day. I also begin and end all of my workouts with an abdominal workout.

My Workout

After lots of research and evaluation of exercises, I have constructed my personal workout that is best for my body. While it may not be the best for you, I highly suggest you try it. over the course of working out for four months my bench press max has gone up by 45 lbs and my squat max has gone up by 65 lbs. My workout can only be used to its full potential when you understand your body. It is also best if you work cardio into your workout so you can burn fat while gaining muscle. Be sure to stay hydrated and eat lots of protein. without further adieu, here is my workout.

Abdominals: Everyday

It is a scientific fact that your abs do not tear down, therefore, you can work them as much as you want without hurting your body. for my ab workout I do. . .

• Bench Crunches: 3 sets, 15 repetitions
• Hanging leg swings: 3 sets, 15 repetitions
• Ab Wheel: 3 sets, 10 repetitions

I am a firm believer in abs working during every exercise you ever do, (Its true, watch for it while your working out) so I recommend you work them as much as possible. Here is a video that will show you how to do the exercises I told you about with a few extras.I did not make this video, I was just inspired by it, its awesome.     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBh2m-YCkGw

Upper Body: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday

• Bench Press: 3 sets, 10 repetitions. Use weight that gets difficult around the 7th repetition, but you are still able to complete the set. Rest for one to one and a half minutes after each set.
• Push ups: 50 repetitions: I do these in sets of 25, but do however many sets you want as long as you are feeling challenged.
• Dips: 3 sets, 20 repetitions
• Curls: 3 sets of 10 repetitions. You can do these with a bar, dumbbells, or anything you want. I use a bar at 85 lbs.
• Military press: 3 sets, 10 repetitions. Again you can use whatever you want to do these, but I use a bar.
• Upright Rows: 3 sets, 10 repetitions. use weight that gets difficult around the 7th rep.
• Dumbbell flies: 3 sets, 15 repetitions.
• Pull ups: as much as possible.

I rest for 10 minutes then I repeat the whole workout. I also begin and end every workout with abs. feel free to adjust the workout depending on your phase of athletic awesomeness. I will be posting my lower body workout (no, you can’t skip leg day) very soon.