Why Breathing Properly Could Be the Key to Improving Your Workouts

Breath
Photo by Darius Bashar on Unsplash

It’s easy to think that the way we breathe isn’t a big deal when it comes to exercise. After all, we do it automatically, right? While this is partly true, you may be surprised to learn that breathing properly can actually make a huge difference in the effectiveness of your workouts. By learning the correct way to breathe, you can increase your endurance, reduce fatigue, and even prevent injuries. Read on to learn a bit more about how to breathe properly during workouts and why it matters. 

Breathe Through Your Nose

Breathing through your nose allows your body to take in oxygen more efficiently and helps to filter out impurities in the air. It also activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which can lead to improved endurance, reduced fatigue, and lower stress levels.

Breathe Deeply

By breathing deeply, you can increase oxygen flow to your muscles, which can help you perform better and speed up recovery time. Practice by inhaling through your nose, filling your lungs to their full capacity. Then, exhale slowly and fully before repeating the cycle. 

Breathe With Your Movements

Coordinate your breath with your movements by inhaling on the easier part of the exercise and exhaling on the more challenging part. For example, when doing a push-up, you should inhale as you lower your body and exhale as you push yourself back up. This helps you maintain proper form and avoid injuries.