APEX is a hypobaric chamber designed for altitude training up to 8000 meters (0.356 ATM). Used by elite performance athletes, mountain climbers, military and civilian pilots, and aerospace professionals, APEX simulates the reduced barometric conditions found at high altitudes to build hypoxia tolerance - the body's ability to function and perform under low-oxygen conditions. Unlike hyperbaric chambers that increase pressure, APEX reduces air pressure inside the chamber using the Turbo Venturi System, creating a controlled negative pressure environment that mimics the physiological challenges of high-altitude climbing without leaving the ground.
The higher you "climb" in APEX, the more challenging it becomes for your body to perform. This progressive stress triggers the body's adaptive defenses: increased red blood cell production via erythropoietin (EPO) release, improved oxygen utilization in the muscles, enhanced mitochondrial function, vasodilation through nitric oxide release, and a shift toward aerobic energy production. These adaptations translate directly into improved endurance, higher altitude acclimatization, and sustained performance gains - both during high-altitude expeditions and at sea level. Sessions in APEX are supported by an integrated Patient Monitoring System that continuously tracks vital signs in real time, with outside assistants maintaining full visibility over the user's health status throughout every training session.
Turbo Venturi System
The Turbo Venturi system is a device designed to reduce air pressure. Using the Venturi effect, it converts the compressor's positive pressure into negative pressure (vacuum), drawing air out of the capsule and lowering the overall atmospheric pressure within the hypobaric chamber to simulate high-altitude conditions with precise control up to 8000 meters (0.356 ATM).
Altitude Simulation up to 8000 meters
APEX simulates reduced barometric conditions equivalent to altitudes up to 8000 meters (0.356 ATM), covering the full range from mild hypoxic adaptation at 1000 m to extreme altitude training near the summit of Mount Everest at 8849 m. Sessions can be calibrated to target specific altitude levels for progressive hypoxia training protocols.
Patient Monitoring System
The integrated Patient Monitoring System continuously tracks the user's vital signs throughout every session, including heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory rate, blood-oxygen saturation (SpO2), and temperature. This real-time data is displayed outside the chamber, allowing assistants to monitor the user's health condition and respond immediately to any changes.
Increased Red Blood Cell Production
During hypoxia, the body releases erythropoietin (EPO), stimulating the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells. These additional red blood cells enhance the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood, translating directly to improved endurance and overall performance during exercise.
Improved Oxygen Utilization
When exposed to less oxygen, the body becomes more efficient at extracting and using the available oxygen from the blood. This improved efficiency allows the body to maintain higher performance levels for longer durations, even under conditions of reduced oxygen availability.
Enhanced Mitochondrial Function
Hypoxia training challenges the mitochondria to adapt and become more efficient at generating energy (ATP) through cellular respiration. This results in increased ATP production during exercise, allowing the body to sustain higher effort levels for longer periods.
Altitude Acclimatization
APEX provides a safe and controlled environment to experience low-oxygen conditions similar to high altitudes. Athletes, mountain climbers, and aerospace professionals can gradually acclimatize their bodies and learn to recognize their personal physiological symptoms in a controlled setting, preparing them for real-world high-altitude environments.
Vasodilation and Blood Flow Regulation
Hypoxia triggers the release of nitric oxide in the body, causing blood vessels to dilate. This enhanced vasodilation improves the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to tissues and muscles, supporting optimal performance and recovery.
Aerobic Adaptations
During hypoxia training, the body shifts its metabolic focus towards aerobic energy production, relying more on fat for fuel. This is particularly beneficial for endurance athletes as it helps to preserve glycogen stores - the body's primary source of readily available energy during exercise.
Post-Session Performance Effects
After a hypoxia training session, the body continues to burn calories at a higher rate due to the increased metabolic demand caused by the low-oxygen environment. Hypoxia-induced stress can also stimulate muscle repair and growth processes, potentially leading to faster recovery and improved muscle strength.
Cognitive Benefits
Studies suggest that hypoxic training may enhance brain plasticity, potentially improving memory and cognitive function. Training the brain to perform under challenging low-oxygen conditions may also build mental resilience. Cognitive testing is a standard practice in hypobaric chamber training protocols.
Long-Term Performance Adaptations
Regular exposure to hypoxia training can lead to lasting physiological adaptations, even when training at sea level. Athletes who consistently incorporate hypobaric chamber sessions may experience sustained improvements in endurance performance and oxygen utilization over the long term.
Customizable Training Protocols
Hypoxia training should be personalized based on fitness level, goals, and health status. APEX allows operators to set precise altitude targets, enabling gradual progressive acclimatization protocols tailored to each user's specific requirements and tolerance levels.
Medical Supervision Support
APEX sessions are designed to be conducted under the supervision of a qualified medical professional who can assess suitability, monitor progress, and address any potential complications. The integrated Patient Monitoring System provides the outside team with real-time vital sign data throughout every session.
Safe Hypobaric Training Environment
APEX provides a controlled, repeatable, and safe environment for hypoxic training that eliminates the logistical and safety risks of real-altitude exposure. Sessions can be stopped and pressure restored at any time, giving both the user and supervising team full control of the training environment at all times.
APEX is used for endurance altitude training, pushing the body to its limits. The higher you climb in a negative pressure environment - the vacuum inside the chamber - the more challenging it is for your body to perform. This stress triggers your body's adaptive defenses, helping to improve endurance, performance, and physical wellness.
At 2000 meters, oxygen pressure continues to drop. The kidneys release erythropoietin (EPO), stimulating the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells to transport oxygen to the muscles. Hypoxic training progressively challenges the body's ability to function in low-oxygen environments, leading to adaptations that enhance aerobic capacity.
Reaching 4000 meters, your system shifts to anaerobic metabolism (e.g., glycolysis) for energy production to improve altitude tolerance and support survival. Anaerobic metabolism leads to lactic acid buildup, causing fatigue and muscle soreness. You start to feel tired even when resting.
At 5000 meters, oxygen levels are critically low, you enter into severe hypoxia. Physical exercise becomes difficult, you experience critical oxygen scarcity, and your survival mode is activated.
At 6000 meters, there is a drastic reduction in exercise performance and every step is a struggle. Coordination, reflexes, and fine motor skills decline. Reduced oxygen affects memory, concentration, and decision-making. Symptoms of Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) emerge - headache, nausea, dizziness.
Over 7000 meters, without hypoxia training, oxygen levels are near fatal. The body is in full survival mode, with severe fatigue, impaired cognition, and AMS. Survival becomes the sole focus. This is where only a small percentage of climbers find the power to keep going. What follows after this is the Apex - the ultimate challenge.
