Working out at high altitude

fjpatten
fjpatten Posts: 27 Member
edited November 21 in Fitness and Exercise
Hey! Newbie with a question.

I'm currently working in Aspen but keeping up my work outs as best I can until I can get home to my regular routine, gym and personal trainer.

I've been hiking and mountain biking which has been a lovely change to my usual indoor exercise. However, I am so unfit here. At sea level I can comfortably run for 60 minutes but 8000ft up even a brisk walk is killing me. I'm training for a 5 mile run and don't want to wipe out my progress but really can not complete my usual cardio intensity at this altitude.

Any advice for maintaininf my fitness levels while I'm in the beautiful mountains?

Replies

  • TimothyFish
    TimothyFish Posts: 4,925 Member
    If you're going to be there a while then you will get acclimated over time. If for a short time then just do what you can and your fitness won't suffer much. You may even find your fitness has improved when you return to lower altitudes.
  • cs2thecox
    cs2thecox Posts: 533 Member
    Do what you can up at altitude, probably based on perceived exertion. So make it *feel* the same intensity as it would at sea level, even if that's slower or shorter than normal.

    Loads of pro athletes use altitude training, particularly before competition.
    You should find that when you get back to sea level, your performance will be better and it'll all feel much easier!

    (It's all to do with oxygen concentration in the air. There's less at altitude, so your body produces more red blood cells to try and get enough oxygen to your key systems and muscles etc. Those blood cells are still there when you go back down to normal altitude (for a while - whatever the life of a red blood cell is) so suddenly you have normal oxygen levels in the air again, but a load more red blood cells, so you can deliver LOADS more oxygen to your muscles, boosting your performance for a while.)
  • celiah909
    celiah909 Posts: 141 Member
    Give it time & keep working out. Also make sure you’re drinking enough water. Enjoy aspen!! It’s one of my favorite places
  • GlassAngyl
    GlassAngyl Posts: 478 Member
    I moved from Leadville co, (10k feet) to the east coast to live by the sea. When I was in co I walked EVERYWHERE nearly everyday. I didn't own a car so I would walk miles to shop and push the groceries home in my sons stroller, or walk to the park.. church.. friends homes... doctors.. sons school. When I moved here, the difference was ANAZING! Just do what you can and like any knew exercise regiment, push a little harder the next day.
  • fjpatten
    fjpatten Posts: 27 Member
    Thanks everyone. So amazing how much harder the height makes things. I will just do as much as can even of it'z much less than what I can do at home. Excited to see the benefit when I get back to sea level.

    Oh and totally agree, what a beautiful place!
  • dustinjbrock
    dustinjbrock Posts: 49 Member
    Your gonna get home and your normal routine will seem so much easier lol
  • singletrackmtbr
    singletrackmtbr Posts: 644 Member
    You'll acclimate. In the the meantime ensure you are eating foods high in Iron, eat more carbs than you normally would, and stay hydrated. Good luck!
  • fitoverfortymom
    fitoverfortymom Posts: 3,452 Member
    Stay extra hydrated and do your best to acclimate.
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