If you are in the MMA, boxing or any other combat sport of activity, you might have heard that most of the top athletes in these sports often go to the mountains to train. The reason they do it is because training at high altitude trains your body to be more efficient at utilizing oxygen. It will make you work harder and ultimately it will improve your overall conditioning and endurance.
Combat sports are probably one of the most intense sports, period. If you find yourself having a hard time catching your breath in during a match, chances are you are losing that fight. No matter how good your technique is, no matter how strong your punch is, if your lungs and your breathing can’t keep it up with the peace of the fight, you are not going to come out on top.
How can the Training Mask help fighters?
The primary reason you see so many MMA fighters training with Training Mask is because they find it effective in developing their respiratory system and increasing inspiratory muscle strength and endurance. This added resistance to their training workout allows them to have peak performance in the later rounds of their fights.
Another benefit of using the Training Mask, which addresses the fighters in particular, is that it will make you more comfortable with situations in which you might not be able to breath as easy as you would want to. Think about what happens when you find yourself in jiu jitsu chokehold situation, or any other situation in which your opponent is covering your nose/mouth.
These are situations you can train for. By using the Training Mask during intense physical activities you will force your body to adapt to this kind of scenarios.
How to incorporate the Training Mask in your Workout
If you want to give the Training Mask a try during your next MMA training, here is a routine which will push your boundaries to the next level.
#1 Treadmill Sprints
Set the Training Mask to an easy air resistance setting (3x-6x) and perform 4-6 full speed sprints of 30 seconds each, then rest for 30-45 seconds.
#2 Push-ups
Do 3 sets of pushups, and go to failure each set. Rest for up 1 minute between the sets. On this exercise use a moderate air resistance setting of 6x-12x.
#3 Medicine Ball Slam
Do anywhere from 4-6 sets of 20 reps each, with 45 seconds of rest between the sets. On this exercise use a hard air resistance setting of 12x-18x.
If you feel that you will not be able to complete any of the exercises above using the recommended air resistance setting you can either take off the Training Mask for short period of time. Alternatively, you can decrease the intensity by making the exercise easier or by using a lower air resistance setting on the Training Mask.