Jim Silva: When it comes to fitness products, ‘whatever works’

I was at the gym doing some weight training recently and noticed a man wearing a strange-looking mask.

I had seen other people wearing the same kind of mask before on TV, including one potential NFL draft pick wearing one at the NFL combine in Indianapolis.

I never really knew what the mask did, so I went to Google and looked it up.

The devices are called high-altitude training masks and they’re designed to re-create the elements of training at high altitude.

According to the Training Mask company website, “When elite athletes want to improve their performance they go to high altitude levels to train. When they come back to sea level they perform much stronger, faster, and have increased endurance.”

These masks try to do the same thing.

There are many products out there to help improve your fitness and make training more productive.

I’ve seen wraps that you put around your waist to help you lose weight, electric ab stimulators, running socks that try to duplicate barefoot running (without having to actually be barefoot), compression socks and more.

When people ask me about such products, I usually say “Whatever works for you.”

People who use compression socks swear by them.

People who wear running socks are usually devoted to them.

I certainly don’t have anything against these products. Being frugal as I am, however, I try to keep things as simple as possible.

The only products I buy for fitness and running are my Garmin watch, which features GPS tracking so that I can keep track of my mileage and pace, a good pair of shoes and inserts, and a water belt that helps me carry water on my long runs.

I’m a big proponent of keeping things simple.

But I also understand that everyone is different and you should do or buy whatever it takes to get you out on the road for a run or to the gym for a workout. I am for anything that helps make your workout more productive or help you avoid injury.

As for the high-altitude training mask, I think it’s pretty neat if it works.

Evidence is very clear that high-altitude training can improve performance. There’s a reason that Boston Marathon champion Meb Keflezighi trains in Mammoth Lakes, which has an elevation at more than 7,000 feet.

But I also think that there’s nothing better than the real thing.

In the same way that running on a treadmill is a good alternative to doing nothing, it’s still not quite as good as running outdoors.

What products do you swear by? Let me know by emailing me at jsilva@modbee.com.

First and foremost, make sure what you’re thinking about using is safe and effective. It’s always a good idea to check with your doctor before using any new products. You don’t want to be wasting your money or risking your health.

If you’re thinking about buying a new product, I also recommend going online and checking out reviews. Or ask around among your fellow runners or folks at your local gym.

Again, I think anything to improve your health and fitness is worth a try.

Just make sure you do a little research first.

More about stretching

A few columns ago, I wrote about stretching and asked for advice from readers.

Steve Tomlinson was nice enough to respond. He’s been exercising and stretching for about 39 years, he said.

Here’s part of what he said: “I feel that stretching is great for preventing injuries and for the body and mind in general. I would agree that it’s important to do a warm-up prior to a workout or any stretching.”

He also recommended a few books: “Stretching” by Bob Anderson, “Training the Body to Cure Itself” by Prevention magazine editors and “Muscular Re-Training for Pain Free Living” by Craig Williamson.

This story was originally published August 17, 2015 at 6:35 AM with the headline "Jim Silva: When it comes to fitness products, ‘whatever works’."