Much skepticism arouse in my mind before trying this new, “efficient” method of training with the Elevation Training Mask. I’ve seen a multitude of athletes wear the “Bane-like” mask on their face during pre-game warmups or in workout videos.

I always wondered, though, do these elevation training masks really work? Or are these athletes just wearing them as a promotional stunt, to make us all buy into the fact that if we wear one of these while we work out we can develop tireless lungs and have the endurance of a marathon runner?

Training masks are resistance training accessories that help to condition the lungs by constricting pulmonary resistance and strengthening the diaphragm, which makes your lungs feel like they are working out in higher elevation. Basically, they force your lungs to work harder, making a typical 1-mile run feel torturous.

Training masks are said to make workouts so efficient that you can actually shorten your overall workout. These masks are versatile with success stories within sports such as soccer, basketball, football, hockey, running, and mixed martial arts. This device is even used by various professional athletes such as former NFL running back Marshawn Lynch, NBA guard Dwyane Wade, world MMA champion Sean Sherk, and Real Madrid’s outside striker Cristiano Ronaldo.

“I have used many different types of oxygen masks, altitude tents and hyperbaric chambers over the years and nothing compares to the Elevation Training Mask in performance, size, and convenience,” Sherk said on the training mask’s website. “The mask has pushed my conditioning and mental toughness to a whole new level. This is the best product I have ever used.”

The mask fits comfortably around your nose and mouth and has a strap that goes around the back of your head. It works by simply shortening your oxygen intake, which is simulating what it is like to train in high altitude. This effect then ultimately boosts your stamina, thus giving you the ability to compete longer and harder in games and competitions when you don’t have it on.

The mask forces you to draw in fuller, deeper breaths and while your body is adapting, your lungs will be training themselves to take deeper breaths and use the oxygen around you more adequately. With this device you can decrease your workout time but still get the same results.

My personal experience with the training mask was similar to that of the descriptions I read. The mask fit firmly but comfortably around my mouth and nose and had an adjustable strap that went around the back of my head. I used it to go on a run at the St. Louis track. I immediately noticed the difference in airflow to my lungs, which required my lungs to work harder than they normally would have to on an easy 1-mile run.

About three-fourths of the way into my run I started to feel a little bit light headed, most likely from the restricted airflow, but I can absolutely say that I think this device helped me both sprinting as well as long-distance running. I finished my mile in 11:45 when it normally for takes a little less than 6 minutes.

Long-term use of this product would have the best results and along with many professional athletes I would recommend it to anyone who is training for season play or anyone just trying to get in shape. You can buy them online at www.trainingmask.com for $80.