Take a Breather

Breathing during exercise, we all know, is extremely important because we need to keep oxygen flowing through our bloodstream and to the muscles… so we don’t pass out. But there is an art to it when you’re “getting your swell on” at the gym.

I’ll make it really easy for you to remember: EXHALE on EXERTION. I don’t think I have to tell you when to inhale, right? So, whenever you’re exerting force such as pushing in a bench press, pulling in a back row, or raising your torso against gravity for a crunch, that’s when you exhale.

It may take a few weeks of making a conscious effort to get it down. To make it easier, try counting on exertion. On every push up, say the number of reps it is on the way up to force air out. Do not hold your breath! This could raise your blood pressure or lead to a hernia. Whatever you do to practice proper breathing, just don’t be that person in the free-weights grunting like a Neanderthal! Not hot.