Breathing efficiently for optimal workouts

How to breathe properly during exercise?

Breathing is often overlooked during workouts, yet it plays a crucial role in optimizing performance and preventing injuries. Proper breath control enhances strength, endurance, and recovery. Here’s a guide to mastering your breathing during training sessions.

Why is breathing important?

Proper breathing:

• Improves muscle oxygenation for better performance.
• Reduces the risk of premature fatigue.
• Stabilizes your body during exercises for safe execution.

How to breathe during exercises?

1. For strength exercises (such as squats or bench press)
    - Inhale deeply before the lowering phase (eccentric movement).
    - Exhale during the lifting phase (concentric movement) to maximize power.

2. For endurance exercises (such as running or rower)
    - Adopt a rhythmic breathing pattern: for example, inhale for 2 steps and exhale for 2 steps.
    - Breathe deeply to optimize oxygen intake.

3. For abdominal exercises
    - Exhale fully during contraction to fully engage your core muscles.
    - Inhale during the relaxation phase.

Tips for better breathing

• Avoid holding your breath (Valsalva effect) unless lifting very heavy weights under control.
• Practice diaphragmatic breathing: breathe with your belly for better oxygenation.
• Adapt your breath to your rhythm to stay in control during exercise.

On FitMetrics, find detailed tips to master your breathing, improve performance, and optimize your workouts. Try it now!