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As mixed martial arts evolves more every day, so does the MMA training equipment. The newest product to hit the market is the Elevation Training Mask. The purpose of the mask is to mimic the effects of running in a high altitude environment. You may remember a few seasons’ back on The Ultimate Fighter where fighters rigged up scuba masks to control the intake of oxygen. The Elevation Tra ining Mask is essentially the same thing, cleaned up, with a few more bells and whistles. It comes with three different interchangeable mouth pieces. One piece has three breathing holes while the other has two and the last, one. When first using it, it took a minute to adjust the straps to fit my head but once on, the mask was surprisingly comfortable. It was very secure to my mouth which was nice as I expected my heavy breathing would fog up the eye parts of the mask. I also found the price of the mask being very reasonable at $89.99 as I figured a trip to Colorado to run in the mountains would be considerably more. I tested it first on the treadmill and went for a light 2 mile jog. It took about five minutes to get acclimated to running with a mask on but my body adjusted very well. I am an avid runner, so I recommend putting the mask on and walking around with it first before you do any cardio workout with it. About ten minutes into the run, I felt my body tingle a little but no major panic or anything. Â
After my run was complete, I then did some of my usual workout with the mask on. When I was done I felt my lungs expanding more than usual and I anticipate this to be a good thing throughout the next few months. The Elevation Training Mask is great for any athlete looking to gain a competitive edge with their training. As new products come out, it’s always good to try them out as they may be just what you were looking for. For more information on the Elevation Training Mask visit, www.trainingmask.com.