We’ve all heard the phrase “sleep high, train low,” but is altitude training really that simple? Our online course, “Altitude Training: Benefits, Risks, and Best Practices,” gives coaches a clear, science-based look at how to plan, monitor, and optimize altitude training for every athlete. You’ll see what changes in the body, when to expect gains, and how to avoid the pitfalls that derail even well-intentioned camps.
You’ll learn how to:
- Understand the physiology behind performance at altitude. See how oxygen pressure, red-blood-cell production, and heart-rate responses change, and what that means for training targets and recovery.
- Identify who benefits most. Learn to recognize responders vs. non-responders, adjust for genetics, iron status, and sleep, and guide each athlete toward the right strategy.
- Design an effective altitude camp. Choose the right elevation, duration, and training mix. Track HRV, sleep, and hydration with simple tools that keep athletes progressing—not overreaching.
- Apply the “live high, train low” model. Discover how elite programs combine hypoxic stimulus with sea-level intensity, and how to replicate those results using practical methods.
- Plan the perfect performance window. Time your athletes’ races and training blocks to align with post-altitude peak gains for maximum payoff.
Featuring insights from Coach Ryan Kohler, who breaks down real data on how power, heart rate, and mindset shift at altitude, this course helps you translate science into actionable coaching. Whether your athletes are racing Leadville or tackling high-mountain stages, you’ll gain the knowledge to make altitude an advantage, not a guess.
Understand the science. Apply it confidently. Watch your athletes rise.
How to Enroll
All USA Cycling courses are offered exclusively through USA Cycling’s online learning management system at learn.usacycling.org.
Questions? Contact Suzy Sanchez, Director of DEI and Membership Programs, at ssanchez@usacycling.org.
