+ About BASE CAMP

What Equipment do you have?

The Altitude room has two top of the range Nordic Track Treadmills, two Concept 2 bikes and a Concept 2 rowing machine. There is also space for light resistance training and band work.

When is BASE CAMP open?

Monday 8.00am - 6.00pm

Tuesday 8.00am - 6.00pm

Wednesday 8.00am -6.00pm

Thursday 8.00am - 6.00pm

Friday 8.00am - 6.00pm

Saturday 8.00am - 12.00pm

What health professionals do I have access to?

Base Camp is located within Gymea Allied Health Centre which is home to a range of exprienced allied health professionals including chiropractors, physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, podiatrists, remedial massage therapists, psychologist and speech pathologist.

+ About the Initial Assessment

What should I bring?

Wear your workout clothes, bring a water bottle and a gym towel.

How much does it cost?

The initial assessment fee is $70 and payment is taken on the day. The appointment may be claimable on your private health insurance (depending on the type of cover you hold). Hicaps is available.

What will I have to do in the assessment?

We will take a brief health history from you and discuss your goals. We will then take you into the altitude room where you will be required to lightly exercise in a low oxygen environment. While you are exercising we will take measurements of your heart rate and oxygen saturation to ensure your body is responding appropriately.

+ Membership Packages

We have kept our membership packages simple to cater for everybody's training needs.

• 12 Week Membership - $400 ($33/week unlimited sessions)
• 12 Month Membership - $1200 ($23/week unlimited sessions)
• 10 Visit Pass - $220
• Single Training Session - $25

+ About Altitude Training

What is altitude training?

Altitude training, or hypoxic training, is exercising in an environment where oxygen is not as readily available. This stimulates a range of physiological changes that can result in enhanced athletic performance. Our Base Camp facility is a room that contains a lower concentration of oxygen compared to that at sea level to simulate a high-altitude environment. This technology makes altitude training accessible to everyone without having to travel long distances!

What type of training can be done at Base Camp?

Training at Base Camp utilises a live low - train high (LLTH) method of altitude training. Typical training involves short aerobic exercise sessions up to 60 minutes each usually 2-3 times per week, this is called Intermittent Hypoxic Training (IHT). Repeated Sprint Training in Hypoxia (RSH) is another method of training that can be utilised at Base Camp. Depending on your specific sport or fitness goals we can help you decide the right way to train and achieve the best results.

What are the benefits of altitude training?

Researched benefits of IHT include:

• Improved aerobic performance capacity at altitude and at sea level (Improved VO2 max and time to exhaustion)

• Improved repeat sprint ability and reduced time to fatigue

• Improvement in exercise economy

• Reduced triglyceride and body fat levels (representing greater fat oxidation)

• Increase in Serum Growth Hormone levels

• Enhanced anaerobic power output

The above benefits are possible through the following physiological changes made in response to hypoxic training - ultimately to improve oxygen delivery and utilisation

• Increased Capillary density – These vessels transport blood and oxygen to muscles

• Increased Mitochondrial Density – to more efficiently use oxygen to produce ATP, meaning more energy is available to working muscles.

• Increased activity of oxidative enzymes

• Improved muscle buffering capacity – which delays fatigue

• Increased activity of glycolytic enzymes

What is the oxygen level at Base Camp?

Current research suggests that the most effective hypoxic training is performed between 14-16% oxygen - the equivalent of 1800-3000m. Occasionally we will have the room at higher levels for climbers and trekkers who are looking to acclimatise to higher altitudes with a lower training intensity.

How often should I train?

Depending on your individual training goals, studies have shown that training 2-3 times per week at altitude is what is required for most people to make significant physiological changes. Factors such as overall training load, injury management and event readiness need to be considered. For most people preparing for a racing event or trek we recommend a minimum training block of 12 weeks. The Base Camp team are here to help you implement altitude training into your program and we are happy to answer specific questions during your initial assessment.

How long until I see results?

You will feel the effects of training at altitude almost immediately as you exercise with less available oxygen. You will begin to notice the results of some positive adaptations within the first four weeks such as lower heart rate, less breathlessness and weight loss. The more time you spend training in a hypoxic environment, the more you will adapt!

+ Can I do a group or team booking?

We can cater for teams and group bookings. It is best to contact us via email basecamp@gymeaalliedhealth.com.au to discuss your requirements.