New Bunbury gym to train in low-oxygen, high-altitude conditions

Despite Bunbury being a fair distance from Mount Everest or Mount Kilimanjaro, South West gym-goers will now be able to experience high altitude conditions while working out. Bunbury residents will have a fresh option of where to work out, but the new Air Locker training facility — which opened on Mackinnon Way in East Bunbury last week — is a little different. While it may look like a regular gym, the oxygen level in the workout room is adjusted to mimic high altitude training. The atmosphere inside the gym is higher in nitrogen and lower in oxygen than normal Bunbury air which is said to train bodies to become more oxygen efficient. Sessions are typically undertaken with an oxygen level of 14 per cent, akin to the amount at an altitude of up to 3500m above sea level. Sea level air has an oxygen level of around 22 per cent. The venue is the company’s second in Western Australia and adds to the 30 locations nationwide. Air Locker Bunbury owner Jay Clark said the training came with a wealth of health benefits. “It’s going to teach your body to become more oxygen efficient — everyday you’ll be at 98 per cent (blood oxygen level), in there we want to get in between the 80s and the 90s,” he said. “That’s going to force your body to become more efficient to adapt so that when you’re out of here, you can do your everyday stuff with less oxygen, bringing your heart rate down.” Mr Clark said it was an “amazing” feeling to have the facility open to the public after nearly a year of work to get it up and running. “It’s the community, the vibe and the faces that are coming out of that room is amazing,” he said. “The demographics in there — we have 15-year-olds . . . working out with 68 to 70-year-olds all in one room doing the same workout at different intensities — that is what I love about it.” According to Air Locker’s website, anyone taking prescribed medication which may have an impact on exercising, has injuries, is pregnant, or has a known or suspected cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological, metabolic or musculoskeletal condition must seek clearance from a health professional or their GP. The gym is now open with morning and afternoon sessions from Monday through to Saturday.