Simulating Your Training Environment To The Paintball Field w/ Scott Kemp

You see people training with hoodies on, double layers or sometimes those crazy wrestlers with a trash bag. Usually followed by an oxygen restricting mask that makes them look like bam from Batman. As a personal trainer I get asked by my clients all the time if they should workout in more clothing layers to sweat more.  The question also arises if wearing that silly mask will help them get “in shape” faster. Here is my answer….

What is your goal? If you are trying to lose weigh and your goal is not performance oriented then don’t train with all these restricted items. It will NOT burn more calories. In fact, you will probably burn less because your workout will be cut short from you gassing yourself out early. Sure wearing more layers will make you sweat more, but that’s not fat loss weight you are dropping. It’s just sweat that will be replenished as soon as you drink water again.

Now, for my paintball athletes out there, could this be beneficial to improve your performance? Absolutely! When we play paintball we wear layers of clothing and padding along with a goggle system that is restricting our breathing. When we are physically training for paintball outside of the paintball field it’s always best to simulate your training environment to the paintball environment as close as possible.

What to do? I would not recommend training in a trash bag first of all. You will sweat too much and not allow your skin to breath. This can be dangerous. Go with long leg sweats or workout pants and a hoodie. Add in an undershirt too and here is the fun part, an oxygen restricted mask. As I stated earlier you will be cutting your training short because it’s going to be that much harder, so if you are also trying to burn fat along the way I would only do this 1-2xs a week. Simply add on the restrictions and perform one of your workout sessions.

You can get one of these masks at walmart for $25 or online.