importance of breathing in exercising [sinus problems] [mild asthma]
I often hear that we need to check their breathing and make sure they inhale and exhale at the right time when doing cardio or weight lifting. I have some serious sinus problems (which imporving the exercise by the way!) And very mild asthma. Somehow I can only breathe through the mouth or just to stop because I get short of breath.
How really a breath when exercising? I have researched the topic a bit, but found different answers.
Reply:This is what I do especially when I'm climbing up a hill: I use what is called "pursed-lip" breathing. Imagine having your lips puckered as if you have a straw in your mouth. On inhalation, open normally, but on exhalation, pucker your lips and you will find it takes longer to completely empty your lungs. This tiny bit of resistance offers a little more time for the oxygen you just breathed in to "get into you". It works like a charm for me. This technique is also used by COPD patients (Chronic Obstrucive Pulmonary Disease)
Except they tend to depend on it even at resting. I don't know if I would use it for weight training or running (never tried it) but for me, it works great for walking or like I said uphill. Try it!
Reply:Just the act of paying attention to my breathing makes jogging not only smoother, but POSSIBLE in the first place. In the thick of a jog, if I'm calm enough to breathe in for three paces and out for three paces, I feel unstoppable. Any faster than 2×2 and I feel very winded.
Wow, that's a lotta posting, but it felt good. Good night everyone!
[This message has been edited by guy (edited 08-11-2003).]
Reply:Breathing, the ongoing struggle.
I remember back in PE class in high school, some of my buddies and I would line up on the track and see who could run the furthest without breathing. None of us made it 100 meters, and one of my friends even blacked out.
Breathing is very important during cardio. So while I run, this is how I breathe.
For the first five minutes, I draw deep breaths through the nose and exhale out of my mouth. After I get a good pace going, I begin taking shorter breaths in and out through my mouth. I try to keep a rhythm in my breathing, and it varies sometimes but it becomes very rhythmic after awhile.
Reply:Try doing your toning exercises first followed by the cardio. Also be sure to warm up with stretching and about six minutes on the stationary bike to get your heart rate up.
Reply:geeez I really hope breathing isn't all that important for losing weight…
I joined aerobics, and the first 1/2 hour was cardio, the second 1/2 was toning. Whenever we would do certain exercises, standing and doing lunges or something, I would forget to breathe and almost pass out or have to run to the bathroom to vomit every time!! lol…I still find it's hard to remember to breath sometimes….
lol
