Wednesday 25 October 2006
Enhanced altitude simulation comes to Wellington
An innovative programme delivering health, lifestyle and sporting benefits was launched in Wellington today (Wednesday
25 October) by New Zealand company io.
From its high-tech centre in Grand Plimmer Tower on Gilmer Terrace, io delivers its unique altitude simulation
programme, which will soon be available through a network of centres around the world.
The Wellington io centre was created through an entrepreneurial partnership between world leaders in altitude
simulation, io, and sibling team Bronwyn and Callum Jones.
Michael Lodge, io Chief Executive, says the growing interest in the company’s natural and drug-free programme has
accelerated business expansion.
“Elite athletes have been aware of the sporting benefits of altitude simulation for many, many years. Those benefits are
now understood to have documented applications for people from all walks of life,” says Lodge.
“Many professional, amateur and social athletes already use the io programme as a training aid, but we’re also helping
clients with asthma, sleep disorders, people recovering from chemotherapy and hard-working individuals who just want
more energy and vitality.”
Bronwyn Jones, io Centre Manager, believes Wellington is an ideal location to establish the altitude simulation
business, which relies on state-of-the art technology, purpose-written software and sophisticated high altitude air
delivery.
“As a result of innovation, we can now offer clients in Wellington an enhanced and honed altitude simulation programme,
which has all but reinvented the previous training we offered,” says Jones.
“It’s particularly rewarding to be helping clients take advantage of the new altitude simulation programme to reach
goals which range from climbing up the stairs in one smooth movement, to conquering the Inca trail without altitude
sickness.”
Hurricane’s winger and Manu Samoan Rep, Lome Fa’atau, has been using altitude simulation as a training aid for over two
years.
“My io altitude training programme is imperative to my performance as a winger. The work rate required to cover a large
area, both offensively and defensively, is reduced by the boost in performance that io gives me. With the improvement in
recovery, I am able to attack the next play on the field with the initial intensity that I started the 80 minutes with,”
says Fa’atau.
“At our centre clients fix on their own breathing mask, a pulse and body oxygen monitoring clip and sit back and relax.
With hands free during the one hour session they can surf the net, listen to music, catch up on reading the papers or
work in peace,” adds Jones.
An io programme boosts energy levels and wellbeing, provides relief from a range of medical conditions and results in a
stronger and fitter body. Other results include measurable improvements in sporting endurance, speed and injury
recovery, greater breathing control, improved aerobic and anaerobic conditioning and maintenance of fitness during
injury periods.
io was first launched four months ago in Queenstown, New Zealand. Wellington is home to the fourth io centre to open in
the country; others are located in Dunedin and Auckland. io in Maroochydore, Australia, opened two weeks ago and an
intensive development programme will see io centres opening soon in San Francisco, New South Wales, Dubai and New York.
The Wellington Rugby League Academy has started putting players through the io programme to enable the team to start
next season with boosted fitness and improved concentration.
Other io clients include the Black Ferns, NZ Representative mountain biker Robyn Wong, Under 21 World Triathlon Champion
Ben Christophers and freedive champion Ant Williams.
ENDS