Vertical wind tunnels are fantastic devices that promote health as well as providing a longer-duration simulation of skydiving. Skydiving is a completely different sport from spending time in the wind tunnel. It is the difference between application and preparation. Skydiving is the application of some of the body control learned in the wind tunnel. I have enjoyed spending time in the wind tunnel in Eloy, Arizona as it allows me time to increase health and gain balance at the same time.
There is a fair degree of physical fitness that is required to spend time in a wind tunnel. 15 minutes in the wind tunnel, typically taken in 3 minute intervals provides and excellent workout. After being in the wind tunnel for a few 15 minute sessions, the sessions can be increased helping with endurance. It does not feel as good as skydiving, however, the amount of stamina and control that is developed is quite impressive. It makes it so that when one does go skydiving that there is much more control during freefall.
It is absolutely amazing as to how little body control one has when one first enters a wind tunnel. It is like one is born again and must learn how to crawl, walk, and run all over again. I have found this to be a great way to fine-tune physical body coordination. During skydiving one has the open sky, whereas in a wind tunnel there are walls that allow you to know just how much control you did not have during skydiving. At first the walls seem to be the only thing one is able to find regularly, whether you like it or not. It does not take very long before the sign language from the instructors and general body control starts to make sense. I suppose I could best describe it like a fish in a fish bowl. Once general navigation is understood it is easy to go up, down, left, right, spin, flip, etc. I would go so far as to say that the wind tunnel is a better physical workout than going to the gym as it not only improves muscle strength but is truly allows one to work on balance and coordination.
The wind tunnel in Eloy, Arizona is well suited for year-round use. It is located between Phoenix and Tucson, which is somewhat convenient although if I had my way I would have one in my house. It has four fans that pull the air through the training area that are 400 horsepower each. It is quite a structure of steel and Lexan plastic. When driving up it clearly stands out across the desert landscape with four large cylinders fanning-out from the top. I highly recommend trying a vertical wind tunnel if you get the chance.