O-2-Fast!
March 10, 2009 by Neal Steinbrecher
I was talking to Harold Goodman the other day about rider fitness, and he said he was pretty up on Oxygen4Engery. In case you weren’t aware, Harold is a two-time Extreme Dirt Track champ, won the Baja 1000, and kicks a lot of butt at GNCC and MX nationals. He knows how to go fast, so when he says something helps his energy and recovery a lot, I’m listening!
What Is it!
So what’s this Oxygen4energy (O4E)? Turns out, it’s a canned aerosol oxygen (O2) that can be inhaled before, during (with some sports), and after intense physical exertion.
Every Breath You Take
The atmosphere you breathe is roughly 21% oxygen. Supposedly a long time ago it was more like 30%. Anyway, O4E cans hold from 95-99% O2 depending on what size can you get. When you inhale this concentrated O2, your body tends to hang on to extra amounts that saturate your cells for a while. That surplus feeds oxygen-deprived muscles during intense exertion (like riding or working-out). Normally, that lack of O2 causes your breath to become ragged, your work output to drop, and a tendency to build up fatigue compounds that are associated with making your muscles burn and get weak. All bad things in my book. So extra O2 helps prevent those things and can be used after sports/work-out to more quickly recuperate.
Does It Really Work?
All right, the science stuff sounds good, Harold Goodman says it works, but I’m not really convinced. I decided to put it to the test. I decided to put a can in my gym bag, and try it out at my local fitness center, where I am very aware of what my capabilities are. I followed the directions and inhaled slowly from the can 10 times, then went about my weight lifting program. Right off the bat I saw improvements in strength and the number reps I could do. I was surprised. I thought….hmm, this stuff seems to be helping, it probably won’t last long. I was wrong, I pumped the iron about 40 minutes using more weight than normal, took some more O2, did 20 minutes of cardio and felt pretty good!
Not convinced? Recently the World Anti-doping Agency (WADA drug tests at international athletic evens), has added canned or bottled oxygen like this one to their list of banned substances because of “Artificially enhancing the uptake, transport or delivery of oxygen”. Obviously they think it will give you an advantage. I’m not sure how they can test for that but I’m not worried since I’m not competing in the Olympics any time soon.
Safety Concerns
OK, so it definitely works but is sniffing high concentrations of O2 safe? I called a Respiratory Therapist I know quizzed him, then researched more on Wikipedia. It turns out there is such a thing as too much oxygen (oxygen toxicity). But you cannot get it unless you are breathing high concentrations non-stop for hours or in a pressurized environment like a hyperbaric chamber. Based on what I learned, neither of those things can happen with this product. This is not medical grade oxygen; it is recreational canned oxygen. Oxygen4Energy gives you detailed instructions on how to use their product just to be sure. Being a Sports Nutritionist my only health suggestion is that after you do lots of heavy breathing and you’re done with your physical exertion for the day, take some antioxidants, i.e. 500 mg vitamin C, 400 IU vitamin E…to scavenge up free-radicals that can speed up aging of the body.
What’s It Cost?
Oxygen4Energy advertises a large can holds sixty 2-second shots of air, and is $14.99 + shipping, which includes a plastic piece that cups over your nose for inhaling. Refill cans that hold the same amount of O2 but don’t have the plastic piece cost $10.99. If you get more cans the price gets cheaper.
Final Verdict
Does everyone need a recreational oxygen supplement? No, and it won’t allow you to leap tall buildings in a single bound but if you are looking for a fairly inexpensive way to improve your performance and recovery, trying Oxygen4Energy seems a no-brainer. For more info go to: www.poweredbyoxygen.com/haroldgoodman/ or call 949-777-6457.
Last 5 posts by Neal Steinbrecher
- Improve Your Race Results - August 1st, 2009
- Pro Rider Fitness Secrets Revealed - July 20th, 2009
- Want To Improve Your Riding Fitness? - June 9th, 2009
- Don't Sweat It - December 5th, 2008
- SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST - September 14th, 2008
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