Within every person is the propensity to adapt to his or her surroundings in order to maximise the chance of survival. We have been hacking this process for centuries in the name of sport and fitness. There are a multitude of activities we undertake to build strength, flexibility, cardio fitness and cognitive skills in preparation for work, sport and recreation. An 800m track runner, for example, may perform barbell squats to build leg strength for their next race, and a special forces soldier may carry rocks to build mental toughness and functional strength to prepare for combat. One of our most amazing adaptive processes is our ability to adapt to high altitude living. As is observed with mountain dwelling populations such as those in Nepal and the Mongolian steppe, our bodies can trigger physiological changes in response to the low oxygen of high altitude. These adaptations include an increase of blood carrying capillaries, an increase in oxygen carrying red blood cells, improved muscle strength and efficiency and many more. Upon return to sea level dwelling an individual with these adaptations can experience benefits ranging from increased cardio fitness to improved cognitive function as a result of improved cerebral blood flow. Vertex Altitude Training use a 10 person training booth that can simulate altitudes up to 5000m and scientifically based protocols in order to create positive results for weight loss, strength gain, cardio fitness, mountaineering, respiratory disorders and cognitive function.
