Altitude Training: Elevation Training Mask

With only 10 weeks to go until Kilimanjaro, Joe has introduced something new to our training sessions.

Meet the Elevation Training Mask 1.0.....

I train with Joe once a week where we work on my muscular and cardio endurance in the gym. I also run twice a week with the mask on, quite a sight believe me!!

The mask comes with 3 screw in valves: Yellow, Orange and Red. 

Yellow has 3 holes, Orange has 2 and yep you guessed it, Red has 1!

I have asked Joe to help me with this post with a few Q&A's , he can then explain the methods behind the madness!

Vic: So Joe, what is the purpose of the mask?

 

Joe: The Elevation Training Mask is a "Resistance Training Device" that helps condition the lungs by creating pulmonary resistance and strengthening the diaphragm.

Vic: What benefits should I be gaining by training with the mask? 

Joe: There are many benefits, including:

·                             >   Increased lung capacity

·                              >   Increased anaerobic thresholds

·                              >   Increased oxygen efficiency

·                              >   Increased energy Production

·                              >   Increased Mental and physical stamina increase

·                              >   Increased Mental Focus gets better

Vic: Can you explain to our readers what we have been working on the past few months and why? 

Joe: We have been working on Vicky’s cardio and muscular endurance using the altitude training mask, the mask uses small straw size holes for breathing through- it enables the client to become accustomed to functions with less oxygen- so the training protocol for Vicky is really quite simple, we train with a restricted oxygen availability to enable Vicky to handle the high altitudes that she will experience climbing Kilimanjaro

 

Vic: With only 10 weeks to go, what can I expect in the build up to the climb? 

Joe: Over the next 10 weeks I will be making sure Vicky’s cardio is in peak condition, sessions will focus on weight bearing exercise to increase muscular endurance and cardio vascular exercise to increase fitness and recovery

Thanks Joe! 

As you can see, the next 10 weeks is going to be pretty intense but the benefits I am getting from training with the mask are huge and I'm confident it will help me fight the altitude up Mount Kilimanjaro! 

 

The mask I have been using is the Altitude Training Mask 1.0. They have however just designed a new mask, the 2.0. For more information on the mask, follow this link:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Elevation-Training-Mask-2-0-70kg-120kg/dp/B008AGVCNA/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1370953066&sr=8-7&keywords=altitude+training+mask 

 

Out running with the mask on

 

Training with Joe in the gym

 

 

I will update you on how the mask training is going next month and then just before I go in August.

This type of training shouldn't be under taken without a) Acclimatisation and b) Knowledge of the mask and how it should be used. If it isn't used properly, you can run into difficulties so be very careful. 

I wouldn't be able to train with the mask, without the help of Joe so a big shout out to JW Training!

 

They offer personal training, diet plans, nutritional services and  bootcamps to clients. Joe helps you reach your goals and get real results, guaranteed.

For more information visit their website http://jwtraining.net/ or contact Joe on 07716755012.

 

Speak soon :o)

 

 

Fit 400 Test: 2nd attempt, 7 months on.

Back in August last year, Joe put me through the Fit 400 test which comprised of the following exercises:

- 100 star jumps

- 50 push ups

- 50 sit ups

- 50 burpees

- 50 punches

- 50 lunges

- 50 squats

I had to complete all exercises whilst being timed. Last year I did it in 19 minutes and 2 seconds.

I have just re-done it and this time I did it in.........*drumroll please*........11 minutes and 22 seconds!

7.5 minutes off!! Woo hoo!!

As I am sure you can imagine, I was over the moon with the result. It was a great feeling as it has shown how far I have come in the past 7 months with the help of Joe. All those 6.30am bootcamps have paid off!

I want to do it again just before I go and I am determined to do it in Sub 10 minutes as that was Joe's target for me in a year. Will post on here to update you.

I have also been training with an altitude mask, more info & photo's to follow....

Vx

Planning a Charity Auction

On December 1st, the charity auction that we have been organising for several months took place and wow, what a night it was!

In the months leading up to the event, I had been collecting items for the auction and for the raffle (tips below on how to make your event as successful as possible) and we ended up with 25 fantastic lots for the auction which included:

Mulberry Bag - Worth £925!
JW Training bootcamp and personal training sessions - Worth £470!
Nights away in luxury hotels - Worth £350!
Spa Breaks - Worth £150!
Meals out - Worth £50!

Tickets for the evening were £15 and that included a fish and chip supper. We sold 98 tickets so we were at full capacity which was a fantastic result.

Darren Morris who was our toastmaster for the evening was absolutely fantastic. He donated his time and services to the auction and waived his fee. Very generous! Darren welcomed everybody, read out the auction rules and kicked off with the first lot...

My target for the evening was £1500 but as the auction progressed I soon realised that I may have been a little modest with that target! The Mulberry handbag came around and we all sat there and watched as 2 guests bidded against each other. Bids started at £200 and they crept up until the final bid was £580!! Thank you Georgia!

The luxury raffle followed the auction. We were lucky enough to have some fantastic prizes that were kindly donated, thank you to all those who helped out.

So here was the big moment, how much had we raised? Darren added it all up and announced that we had raised.........£5450!!! Absolutely incredible, I was blown away and couldn't believe everyones generosity.

The auction did take a lot of hard work, a lot of time and lot of commitment but if you plan it in plenty of time then it will be a success.

Below are my Top 10 suggestions to make your Charity auction a success:

1) Leave yourself plenty of time to plan. I would suggest 3-4 months.

2) Write to companies and potential donators, then follow up with a phone call.

3) Look outside the box for donators. Mulberry donated a bag as they have a day centre for Dementia sufferers in their village. Research big companies with links to the charity you are raising money for.

4) Ask friends & family for help on the evening ( bar staff, catering, tickets, packing up, cleaning up etc).

5) Get a toastmaster, ideally for free! Darren was amazing and I know we wouldn't have done as well on the night had he not been there to drum everyone up!

6) Sell raffle tickets before the event. Ask those who can't attend the event so they don't miss out!

7) Write to your local press and tell them all about the event and the reasons behind it

8) Have a bar and make sure you have plenty of drink. We had to pop out during the auction as we were running low!

9) Contact local restaurants/takeaways and see if they will do you a discounted rate for a large order. Our local chippy delivered the meals boxes up separately and straight to the hall, and gave us discount. It was easier than organising the catering on site, and everyone loved it!

10) Produce a programme, give them out to guests before the event and then pop them on the table on the night. People can flick through and choose the items they want to bid on.

Below is a photo from the charity auction.














As long as the evening has been well planned and you have lots of help on the evening, you should be able to have fun and enjoy it! All the hard work you put in will be worth it :)

Good luck!!

For more info on our toastmaster, have a look at www.homecountiestoastmaster.co.uk)