frenk said:
IMO there is a difference between altitude training and sleeping in an altitude tend.
Altitude training means making an effort to improve your engine.
Sleeping in a tend or using similar gadgets means just paying to improve your engine: you just need the money to buy the thing.
I'm not sure I would appreciate to know that the guy that beated me was faster just because he is richer...
With respect to equipment (wheels & co.), I'm not very annoyed by that because I know that differences in performance are mostly not significant under normal conditions. So if people like to spend loads of money I'm happy for them
I know that their ksyriums are not more aero than my open pro!
On a side note, it should also be kept in mind that altitude training/tends/etc. only make you fitter for a couple of weeks.
** That is an interesting point. Altitude training means making an effort to improve your engine, but gadgets just mean spending money to buy the gadget? **
I live at 260 feet above sea level, and the nearest point of altitude above 4000 feet is 5,000 km away from me. So for me to make an effort to improve at altitude would cost me at least U$500 in travel cost, U$250 for vehicle rental and U$500 per week in cottage/chalet/condo rental, for a total cost of U$2000 for two weeks at altittude. Agreed some of that cost could be shared or I could have a friend who lives wherever and get my cost down to maybe $800 or $900 for two weeks.
But as you mentioned, the benefits of altitude only last for a short period (they peak around 4-6 weeks actually and last as long as 10-12 weeks), so if I were to pay for such benefits throughout the racing season, I would need to spend at least a few thousand dollars a year, and that would only get me to 4000'.
Altitude training with a device can be done at home. Using Intermittent Hypoxic Training, it takes about 1 hour a day, about 10 days out of every 6 or 8 weeks, and I can do this at a much lower cost without impacting my work vacation time, fuel surcharges on my local air carrier or being away from my family for two weeks or more at a time.
There is no question that altitude training works for almost the entire population, the only question is do you want to make the investment, and if so, do you want to live on a mountain a few times a year (I noticed you are from Switzerland, so this is much easier for you), or do you want to use equipment to reduce your costs and increase your convenience.
From that decision, what is the best equipment/method? Altitude Chambers (very expensive), Altitude tents (somewhat expensive, hard on recovery), or intermittent hypoxic training (price varies, best training and recovery available).
Making these decisions with a doctor/coach would be helpful, but it is a natural way to bring out the best in your body, altitude training improves cardiovascular fitness, enhances the immune system and has other benefits which accrue over time.
I would trade a life in Switzerland for a life in the flatlands if I could, but that is not possible for myself and millions of athletes, so this is an option. Just like Kyserium is an option vs. Open Pro. Kyserium is definately better, but not everyone can or will use them.
Kind Regards,
Guru.