Have you ever done a workout where you just felt breathless, although you thought you gave it all you had? It seems the problem might not be with your fitness, but it could be your breathing. Breathwork, how you regulate your breathing, can improve your performance in the gym. By implementing a handful of breathing routines for your lungs, you will be able to extend your endurance, minimize tiredness, and accelerate your progress. Here we come to dig into how you can apply breathwork to boost your fitness.
Your lungs fuel your body while you are exercising. However, here is an interesting thing: normally, we barely make use of our full lung capacity. We take shallow breaths, which means we do not get as much oxygen as we might. Upon using breathing techniques for energy, you can inhale more air, thus providing your body with the necessary energy to work efficiently throughout your session.
The average person only uses about 10% of their lung capacity at rest! But with breathing exercises, you can access up to 50% more lung capacity, giving you more energy for your workouts. Pretty amazing, right?
If you breathe deeply and correctly during your training sessions, you will be less tired and your performance will be at a higher level for longer. Instead of holding your breath during a weight lifting session or cardio, use these simple techniques:
In place of using only your chest, try to bring air into your belly. That will increase your oxygen intake, thus giving you more energy. Here is a small exercise: take deep breaths in through your nose and feel if your tummy goes out. Keep the breath for a while and then exhale slowly through your mouth. Do it a couple of times so you can feel how it is going.
This technique can contribute to better concentration and a more relaxed state of mind. Count to 4 while inhaling, then hold your breath for 4 counts. After that, exhale for 4 counts and hold your breath for 4 again. This is particularly effective at times when you are doing an intense workout or even during more relaxed breathing, in case you have a lot on your mind.
Looking to build your lung volume? One of the most effective ways to strengthen your lungs is to engage in cardio exercises. Your lungs get an intense workout from activities such as running, cycling, or swimming. When doing cardio, incorporating breathing exercises will result in your overall stamina being improved.
Likewise, yoga is a particular type of breathing exercise known as pranayama, which is beneficial in building lung power. Such practices involve slow, deep breathing, which effectively utilizes your lung capacity and makes you recover quickly between sets of exercises.
This is a short technique that you can try to improve your lung function and breathing during physical exertion:
Do this for 5 to 10 times. In this way, you will calm your body, lose your stress, and get ready for your next set.
Are you aware that regulated breathing can actually minimize muscle fatigue when doing high-intensity workouts? Practice the right breathing procedures and you will find out that the lactic acid in your muscles will be disposed of efficiently, then you can work out with full power and energy for a longer time.
Also, breathwork is a good method for mental clarity. Paying attention to your breath is a great technique for bringing your awareness fully to the moment and sharpening your focus, which then becomes the key to powering through tough workouts.
During your next training session, try to think of your breathing as not just a carriage drive, but a powerful instrument that can lead you to an increase in your strength, endurance, and concentration. Deep breathing practices and good breath management will help you enter the full state of energy and recover faster. It’s a simple trick to energize yourself without putting in extra effort.
If you want further suggestions on how to enhance your fitness and performance, Camp Fitness Studio is the place where you can get expert trainers and a supportive community, and they will also provide you with personalized plans.