Breathing During Exercise

Many of us exercise rigorously, but are still unable to lose weight. We can't help but wonder where we are going wrong. Every type of exercise requires a certain technique to be performed, so that it is effective. But a common technique that needs to be followed while doing every kind of exercise is proper breathing techniques. What most of us are unaware of is that the efficiency of different exercises depends on how we breathe while performing them. Instead of relieving that gross image of you hyperventilating when you exercise and avoiding your exercise routine because of this, wouldn't it be nice if you actually looked forward to it? It would be, if you followed these simple techniques of breathing during exercise.

Importance of Proper Breathing During Exercise

Maintaining a normal breathing rate during exercise is important so that you are able to achieve your goal, be it fitness or weight loss. Take a look at these enlisted reasons for breathing normally during exercise:

• The amount of oxygen you intake while breathing helps trigger the process of burning calories. When you breathe normally the process is triggered at the right time, in the right manner.
• Holding your breath during exercise causes the blood pressure to rise significantly. Several weightlifters and athletes have passed out because they have not followed proper breathing techniques while exercising.
• Holding your breath can also lead to hyperventilation and is particularly unhealthy for those who already suffer from breathing problems. In fact, if you adhere to normal breathing patterns, you can exercise well even if you suffer from a respiratory condition.
• Breathing normally during exercising gives you something to focus on, and this makes your exercise more efficient. Focus is an essential element that can be developed and used while exercising and the development of this trait is even helpful in other aspects of life.

Breathing Techniques During Exercise

Just remember that while breathing during exercise, you ought to follow some basic breathing techniques. In fact, if you are performing rigorous physical exercises, your control over your breathing rate should be higher.

Breathing During Strength Training
The most important breathing technique during exercise is to exhale when you exert pressure. As such, you will exhale when lifting your body while doing crunches and inhale when you lower your body. Similarly, while doing push ups, you will exhale when you push your body up, and inhale when you lower your body. The same technique is true for those who lift weights. Breathe in when you lift and breath out when you lower the weight.

Breathing During Cardiovascular Exercises
Avoid taking shallow breaths while performing cardiovascular exercises. For instance, when you are breathing while running, you should breathe from the depths of your stomach, and not just your nose and mouth. As is the case with strength training, this breathing technique gives you something to focus on while exercising.

Breathing During Stretching
When you perform stretches, the proper technique to breathe is to breathe deeply. That means when you attain a particular position, you have to keep your breathing normal, but deep. Your strength to hold the position should emanate by breathing from your core.

Keep in mind that learning how to breathe normally during exercise is going to take a while. You may be overwhelmed by the amount of effort you have to put into concentrating on breathing normally. But also remember that once you have mastered this technique, your exercise process is going to be much more enjoyable and will actually have you looking forward to your daily exercise routine.