How to Breathe Properly During Workouts

Too often people breathe improperly when working out. They hold their breathe, breathe out of rhythm, etc. Breathing properly lets you get the most out of your workout.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Concentration
• Workout setting
• Workout buddy/spotter (recommended by optional)

1. In any exercise, whether it is a pushing or a pulling exercise, you will always do two things: Exert force and Relaxing period. We'll use two examples: Bicep curl (pull) and Push Up (push)

2. When you must exert force, you will exhale or breathe out. For Bicep Curls, as you pull the weight up, you exhale. For Push Ups, as you push yourself away from the group, you exhale.

3. When you are not exerting force, you inhale or breathe in. This allows oxygen to replenish, and muscles to stay from being fatigued (you don't want lactic acid building up). For Bicep Curls, this is the time as you slowly return the weight back down, as your arm is extended. For Push Ups, this is when you're slowly lowering yourself to the ground.

Tips & Warnings

• Concentrate on breathing.
• Many people don't realize they breathe improperly when lifting heavier weights.
• Making a small grunt when exhaling can help you remember.
• If you're using energy = breathe out
• Breathe in rhythm with each repetition so your body is in sync is crucial.
• For Bicep Curls, don't let your elbows lock to prevent ligament/tendon damage.
• Same goes for Push Ups. Don't lock your elbows. Plus It keeps your muscles working.

Resources

• More Articles by WesleyJ
• Getting a 6 pack through Ab Ripper X
• Article by Bali - How to Improve Your Figure
• WesleyJ articles at Bukisa

[sarahlynnknows]

on 1/13/2009 Thanks! I always get confused which way I should be breathing. This is very helpful.

[MIghtyDreamer]

on 9/12/2008 this is truth and a good reminder

[HardworkinJudy]

on 9/11/2008 I'm afraid I've been doing this backwards. Thanks for the info.

[ellischristina]

on 9/10/2008 So let me see if I got this straight. When I do ab crunches, I exhale going up and inhale coming down. No wonder I don't get any results --- I've been breathing wrong this whole time. Thanks for clearing this up!

[Brave33]

on 9/10/2008 Good tips my man!