Cycling training is primarily centered around improving two things: your fitness and your fatigue thresholds. These two things combined are going to determine your overall performance in cycling and your “form”, as it is called in the cycling world.
The form is pretty much the difference between your fitness and your fatigues levels. So, if you are coming after a good rest period, your fatigue level will be quite low. The higher your fitness level is the more “distance” there will be between your fitness and your fatigue.
In cycling, this means you have a good form. As you know, cycling is an endurance sport, so your tolerance to fatigue thresholds determine your performance. What you want to do is increase your fitness level while keeping an eye on your fatigue level as well. This is very similar to the overtraining concept.
The harder you train in order to improve your fitness, the more fatigue it will start to build up. If you don’t peace yourself, the fatigue will eventually catch up with your fitness level. At this point you can’t actually complete your workouts and increase your fitness. Your fitness level might be better than before, but the fatigue is so much greater, resulting is in a net loss.
Incorporating the Training Mask is a nice workaround solution to this problem because it will teach your body how to deal better with fatigue while building your stamina and ultimately your fitness level.
How is the Training Mask good for improving form?
If your primary focus is increasing that gap between the fitness level and the fatigue level what can the Training Mask do to improve your fitness level?
The number one reason why Training Mask is so effective is because it will allow you to do more work (or put in more effort) in the same amount of time. During this time your fatigue will rise as well, but not at a rate high enough to catch up to your fitness level.
By using the Training Mask while doing your easy or medium intensity rides you will train your respiratory system to breath better and utilize the O2 more efficient. Overtime this will mean a higher fitness level.
When training with Training Mask, you are enhancing the recovery times between your workouts. This means that after every ride you are going to recover faster by utilizing the oxygen you take in at a much more effective and efficient manner.
It allows you to train harder and boost your fitness. By the time you need to go out and train again, your fatigue level will be at a lower level than it would normally be if you wouldn’t use the Training Mask.
Imagine if you were able to train for 5 weeks in a row without hitting fatigue, before taking time off to recover. Most athletes who are not using the Training Mask usually train for just 3 weeks in a row before their fatigue level catches up with them.
How to use the Training Mask for cycling
Looking for a quick workout to get you started on using the Training Mask on your bike?
Start off by doing a warm up session of up to 10-15 minutes without using the Training Mask (or use it on a very easy air resistance setting.)
Next dive into the high intensity interval. Set the Training Mask on a moderate air resistance setting and start pedaling as hard as you can for about 30 seconds. This should be done on a flat terrain.
Then while keeping the Training Mask on, go slow for about 1-2 minutes. Repeat this set 4-6 times, without taking the Training Mask off at all. If you feel that the intensity is just too much, reduce the air resistance setting and keep going. As your body adapts to the training you can dial in the respiratory resistance again.
Once you are done with the workouts don’t forget to cool down for at least 5-10 minutes. You can take the Training Mask off at this point.