Article updated March 2025
WNiF’s Craig Mac caught up with mechanical engineer and specialist Chris Chatto from Xtreme International (Altitude by Design), to discuss what’s involved in converting an existing and perhaps underutilised room in your gym or studio, into a fully functioning simulated altitude training (SAT) room.
Reasons to consider converting a room to simulated altitude conditions
CRAIG MAC: XTREME have been at the forefront of simulated altitude technology for over 10 years now. Why do you think altitude training has become a popular add-on or supplementary service offered by gyms and studios?
CHRIS CHATTO: The fitness and wellbeing marketplace has never been more competitive. Businesses are looking for a point of differentiation to attract and retain valued clients.
Simulated altitude technology, with purposely designed training programs and education, offers a viable solution for time-poor clients (you burn approximately 25% more calories at altitude than at sea level) and enables businesses to introduce another chargeable service to maximise the return on investment.
Considerations when selecting an area to convert to a simulated altitude environment
CM: Rather than an extension on the premises or building a completely new room, I now know that I have an option to convert an existing room into an altitude training facility. Are there some basic rules or guidelines for a gym owner to consider when selecting an area for conversion to an altitude environment?
CC: Well, it’s easier than you think. Whatever space you have selected for the conversion, you need to get it ‘altitude ready’. Here are some basic tips:
1. Door Entrance: The door needs to close flush to the frame with door seals added, to create a better contacting surface. The door gap to the floor should have a knife-edge seal to prevent altitude air leakage.
2. Roof Type: It’s preferable that you have a solid plasterboard surface to create the best seal. If tiled, we suggest a change to solid tiles which secure to the frame.
3. Air Conditioning: The AC system requires an independent air conditioner unit to the central system.
4. Lights: Ensure all your lights are properly sealed at the back to prevent altitude air leakage.
CM: Is there a minimum room size requirement for an altitude training room?
CC: Not really, it very much depends on your business direction and target market – fitness, sports, rehab, weight loss, etc. Based on XTREME’s experience, to successfully adopt simulated altitude technology, businesses should view implementation holistically.
In addition to implementing the room, you should ensure you invest in ongoing training, education, and programs to maximise personal benefits for clients, and for your business model for effectively monetising your investment.
CM: A simulated altitude training room is powered and regulated by a compressor which pushes ‘altitude air’ into the room. Are there any guidelines for calculating what you require?
CC: A ‘flow rate’ is required for every person you have in your altitude room. The basic rule is to have 100lpm (litres per minute) of altitude air flow per person.
Let’s say that amongst other types of training, you intend to run group fitness sessions and want a maximum of 15 people training in the room, then your room would require 1500lpm of altitude air from the altitude system.
CM: Okay, with the altitude flow rate selected what is the room volume or size I can convert?
CC: For cost effective operation the basic rule between flow rate and volume is to achieve an altitude of around 2880m (metres) in 60, 90, or 120 minutes. This is achieved by:
Volume(60) = Flow Rate (lpm) @11% O2 (oxygen) x 0.08m³/lpm
Volume(90) = Flow Rate (lpm) @11% O2 (oxygen) x 0.095m³/lpm
Volume(120) = Flow Rate (lpm) @11% O2 (oxygen) x 0.11m³/lpm
If I want the time to altitude for my 15-person system to reach 2880m in 90 minutes then 1500 x 0.095m³/lpm = 142.5mÑ.
This basic rule can help you select a room or decide on the construction dimensions of the new room if that is also an option.
CM: When selecting a supplier for my altitude room conversion or installation, are there key commercial features I need to consider?
CC: It is the compressor package. The system should be driven by a 3-phase industrial compressor package. You also need the lowest power rating compressor that will achieve your target altitude air flow rating.
Industrial compressors are designed to operate 24/7, 365 days a year, and in all conditions.
The compressor supplier should have a detailed maintenance strategy, which should be initiated upon completion of the project installation.
Interested in having altitude in your facility?
If you have considered adding a simulated altitude training room in your facility or converting an unused room, you can find out more about Xtreme International by contacting their Australian distributors, Forte Fitness Solutions. You may be surprised how easy it is to upgrade your facility and introduce a new training solution to your members.
Chris Chatto is a mechanical engineer and technical specialist from Xtreme International (Altitude by Design). This interview was conducted in November 2018 and compiled by Craig Mac for the What’s New in Fitness Magazine.
Check out these articles:
Attract New Members By Offering Altitude Training At Your Facility
The fitness industry is always changing, and one of the newest trends gaining popularity is altitude training. Traditionally, this training was done naturally in the mountains, however, thanks to modern technology, we can now create high-altitude environments at sea level. This means that the same physical benefits are on offer to both elite athletes and
How Can Altitude Training Help Increase Fat Burning, Reduce Insulin & Improve Fitness?
Simulated altitude training continues to grow rapidly in Australia as a value-adding service to members or clients in all types of gyms, studios and fitness and performance centres. What are the advantages of training in a simulated altitude environment? Altitude training is not only for elite sports performance, but offers benefits for everyday health and
What is Air Locker Training?
Article updated October, 2023. Founder and CEO of Air Locker Training, Roman Brady believes that anything is possible if you have a strong belief in yourself and consistently work towards achieving your goals. As an ex-footy player, Roman Brady is no stranger to serious training. He’s also an MBA student at Newcastle University, with a
Why Altitude Training Is Right For Your Business
Article updated October 2024. XTREME’s smart management systems and efficient technology provides a best in class altitude training environment, with easy scheduling capability to reduce power requirements for use with your simulated altitude training (SAT) rooms. With savvy operators seeing the benefits of adding an altitude training room as a supplementary service for their members
Box Altitude – The Market Disrupter In Altitude Training
Article updated May 2025. Altitude training rooms are becoming more prevalent in the Australian fitness scene. Offerings include simulated altitude rooms as a bespoke in-studio feature through to gyms built solely around altitude training, such as the Air Locker franchise. The limitation for many commercial gyms lies in either the set up cost of creating
Five Questions With XTREME International’s Chris Chatto
Craig Mac, WNiF Publisher, interviews Chris Chatto, Director at the leading altitude simulation technology company, Xtreme International. XTREME International (XIT) provides altitude simulation technology for sports performance, fitness, health and wellbeing, and custom applications. The company is supported by global supply partners, working together to provide cost effective solutions to drive an altitude world through
Altitude Training: Is It Right For My Fitness Facility?
WNiF publisher Craig Mac chats with Warrnambool 24/7 Gym & Fitness owner Stuart Roe about the decision to install a simulated altitude training room into his facility and 12 months on, whether it was worth the investment? Warrnambool is a regional centre and former port city on the south-western coast of Victoria with a population
10 Things To Know About Simulated Altitude Training (SAT) Rooms
Article updated November 2024. With the increasing popularity of altitude training as an add-on or supplementary service offered by gyms and studios, we’ve put together 10 things to know about simulated altitude training rooms. Understanding Simulated Altitude Training Rooms What is simulated altitude? The air that we breathe at sea level is roughly 79% Nitrogen
WNiF Club Profile: EMF Performance Centre
Could this be Australia’s best gym? Craig Mac talks to the man with the vision, Leigh Wetton, owner of EMF Performance Centre in Robina, Gold Coast. CM: Club number five for the EMF group and its first Performance Centre. Robina is now home to the largest gym in Queensland—what’s been the secret of your success