CO2 tables

[3xpr1ment]

Hi Forum

I have started to train CO2 tolerance using the tables (half my max apnea time with decreasing resting periods). What seems strange to me is that I do not feel any (even small) urge to breath during each session. Is this normal? Do I still train tolerance even if no urge to breath appears?

 

[AAorris]

If your brain isn't picking up on the blood ph change, you might need to up your training schedule. I don't know what you're using now, but here are some things you can change. Play with them and see if any of those changes feel like they provide a better training experience:

longer breath holds(maybe your max is higher than you think! )
slow down recovery breathing(exhale less CO2 means a higher build-up of it)
reduce rest periods(reduce starting rest, or increase the reduction of rest time)
increase breath holds(especially at the end, eg 3 15s rest)

Hope that helps, mention how each of the changes feel!

 

[MattB]

You should definitely increase your breathholds then. It's not doing anything for you if you're not feeling an urge to breathe. You should be getting contractions while doing the tables
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[nickridiculous]

Unless you never get contractions, apparently some people don't. At any rate you should be struggling. Tables are hard. I have heard of people who don't do them anymore because they were too mentally draining.

After doing a table you should feel like you have performed a difficult task well. If you feel like you got your ass kicked and you hate apnea then maybe you need to take a break.

I'm trying to mix maximum static attempts into my tables. A max static attempt for me would be something like 3 or 4 warm-up holds and then a max attempt. This is more fun for me than just doing tables because it doesn't take as long, doesn't subject me to hundreds of contractions and I get a nice big number (~95% of my max) at the end. These really seem to help my confidence. It's nice to know that I can still hold my breath for close to my max amount when the last time I did a table I was maxing out at 55% of my max static.

On other days I do tables with the typical shorter breath hold but a near maximum amount of contractions.

I don't know if this is the best way to physically train my body but it really seems to be helping my mind, and for me that's the biggest barrier between me and long statics.

 

[Dartfisher]

It really helps me to do a max attempt before my tables. It makes the tables seem not as hard since I just did my best(wich hurts).
Nic

 

[3xpr1ment]

Thank you all for the helpful information an personal experience. In the end my maximum static was 25% more than what I was thinking .The mistake was that I was measuring the first attempt and I found out that my max increases 25% on the 3d or 4th sequential attempt.
As for the tables I find it very useful to start with two holds 75% of my max, then completely recover and then start the tables.
I would not consider the tables the most pleasant thing I've done in my life

 

[KatFish]

Try this one:
inhale, hold 1 min (adjust time to suit you, look at about 20-25% of max), exhale, repeat 10-12x or until you think you're going to explode (ie you'll take 10 breaths in about 13 mins if roughly 20s for exhale/inhale). Good for learning to deal with contractions.