Adelaide is exploring the option of building an altitude room on its premises at West Lakes.

A handful of Crows players and fitness staff including physical performance manager Stephen Schwerdt have trained at the new Altitude Training Solution centre in Kent Town over the past two months to familiarise themselves with low oxygen training.
Schwerdt said the club was carefully considering the possibility of building its own altitude chamber.

“We’ve been exploring getting an altitude room here for a little while,” Schwerdt told afc.com.au.

“It’s a huge expenditure, so we want to make sure we do the research; that we know what we’re getting into and are getting the best product.

“We’ve had seven or eight players using the new facilities in the city, including both guys coming back from injury and others that are up and running.

“The guys who have been going more regularly have said they do notice the difference.

“It’s just a matter of getting a bit more experience in it and learning how you can best use those facilities.”

Altitude training has become a phenomenon in the AFL following 2010 premier Collingwood’s recent success with the practice.

The Magpies hold a camp at high altitude in Arizona each year and maintain the benefits of the low oxygen training by exercising in an atmospheric chamber at the club’s training facility in Melbourne during the season.

Carlton players are also able to train at altitude in an on-site chamber at Visy Park.
The Blues are currently in the Middle East, where players have trained in extreme heat and slept in a purpose-built high altitude facility, as part of the club’s high performance training camp.

The Gold Coast Suns have followed Collingwood’s lead by training in Arizona, while the North Melbourne players have spent time in Utah.

The benefits of altitude training include increased stamina and faster recover from injury.