Do you hold your breath while lifting ?

**calalily1972** · 06-28-2004, 11:27 AM

My bf does that all that time and I yell at him "Breath dammit". Most people yell to help push the person through a rep, I yell to tell him to breath

Premiere · 06-28-2004, 12:46 PM

i can not breathe when i am doing my ab work ... i mean i breathe but it's very hard ... i tent to hold my breath when i'm comin in and and then i let it all out when i'm going back down ... i also find that when i work my biceps, and when i'm about to finish my last set .. i tend to hold my breathe also ... hmmm puts a lot of stress on me sometimes ... i'm trying to get it under control tho

Johnnny · 06-28-2004, 12:50 PM

Sor standing barbell curls for biceps or whatever for biceps I breathe as I bring the weight up, & breathe out as I lower the weight, this works best I find.

DrChiro · 06-28-2004, 12:54 PM

as many have mentioned already...holding your breath while straining is VERY bad...it causes a dramatic rise in blood pressure and if you are predisposed to having a stroke or aneurysm, this is when it is going to happen.

Holding your breath while straining is referred to as the valsalva maneuver and is actually one of the reasons many older people and people with heart disease die while taking a shit. They strain while trying to shit while they hold their breath and they stroke out.

My point is that this can be serious.....try to break your habit of holding your breath while lifting.

(on a side note...i have read many reasons why holding your breath may be useful in lifting...as the added pressure may help your lifts out a bit or that it may help you get past a sticking point..i disagree with ANY reason to hold your breath while straining...but of course that is only my opinion)

DrChiro · 06-28-2004, 12:57 PM

glassman....pain while holding your breath and straining is often related to what is called a space occupying lesion. This refers to something in your body that isnt where it is supposed to be like tumors, blood, or a herniated disc if it is in your back.

Of course it could be just from the increased pressure itself but if I were you I'd get a second opinion on it at least...and preferably go get an MRI if you still dont come up with any answers.

Johnnny · 06-28-2004, 01:34 PM

As I said during every rep of every workout for every muscle you need to breathe in order to supply the body & muscles being worked with enough oxygen. In some ppl, I've seen ppl faint b/c they haven't been breathing properly.

As Dr.Chiro has said not breathing can cause a rise in blood pressure as well as other nasty problems but the most common one is probably fatigue during your workout.

**IainDaniel** · 06-28-2004, 01:48 PM

And I thought weight training was an anaerobic activity, not requiring oxygen?

chadeau · 06-28-2004, 07:43 PM

I usually breath properly while I lift, but when I'm maxing out and trying to finish one last rep I find it hard not to hold my breath and just push with everything I've got.

Saturday Fever · 07-06-2004, 01:54 PM

OK, now while I won't speak to breathing if hypertrophy is your main goal (though science, to my knowledge, has never shown hypertrophy benefits with breathing) I will speak to holding your breath when lifting BIG.

When you're squattting 500+ pounds, and you breathe, the first thing this does is release the tightness to your form and cause instability. Now imagine wavering, even ever so slightly, when you're descending to the hole with 540 pounds on your back. Do you think your back is going to be happy? Hell no.

When performing mex effort lifts, it is ESSENTIAL that you breath air into your belly, hold it there, and push out against that air with your abs. Why? Because it creates a strong base and gives your body stabilization. This applies to squats, bench (if you do it with strength in mind) and deadlifting, though I would tend to agree with the others with regards to anything else. And I would never try doing reps with my breath held, that just seems silly.

Johnnny · 07-06-2004, 05:02 PM

Saturday Fever
I know exactly what you mean. What a coincedence. I was doing my legs today. I wasn't using 540lbs only 365lbs for about 6 reps (used to do more) but as I was working my way down to parallel to the floor level, I could only help but take a deep breath just before I descended & then held my breath, & then as I exploded the weight up, outputting a huge amount of air from deep within.

I can't do squats any other way.

Saturday Fever · 07-06-2004, 05:26 PM

I never said anything about breathing out. I won't let my air out until I've reached lockout and the bar is in a safe spot to release tension. Anything less and I'd be having back surgery to remove all my discs.

Johnnny · 07-06-2004, 07:21 PM

Saturday Fever

Quote:

I never said anything about breathing out. I won't let my air out until I've reached lockout and the bar is in a safe spot to release tension. Anything less and I'd be having back surgery to remove all my discs.

Damn are you serious? It's good that works for you, but I think I'd faint if I did that for squats. I need to breathe out on the way up & breathe in on the way down.

**P-funk** · 07-06-2004, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnnny

Saturday Fever

Damn are you serious? It's good that works for you, but I think I'd faint if I did that for squats. I need to breathe out on the way up & breathe in on the way down.

If you are doing multiple reps breathing like that is important, otherwise you will most defenitly pass out (I saw one of my freinds do it sqauting once). But, if you are trying to hit a 1RM then pulling as much air in and holding it the whole way through is going to increase thoracic pressure and protect your spine.

Vital Signs · 07-06-2004, 08:15 PM

Let's take incline butterflies for instance:... While you raise the weights, your face is tight, your eyes bulge, and you are exhaling blowing spit all over the place, and maybe even screaming a little bit. When you lower the weights, you inhale deeply and lower the weights till you feel the fibers in your pecs start to pull apart. Then you repeat the step! That goes for any exercise you are doing!... squats, leg presses, flat chest presses, bi-cep curls, etc. You exhale on the postive, with a tight face, bulging eyes, and blowing spit all over anybody standing in front of you. Then, you inhale deep on the negative resistance till you feel the muscles start to tear.

I've seen many videos of BBers exercising, and their breathing is nothing more than... poof, poof, poof... And I'm like, Jesus Christ, WTF is that all about..!!!???

Watch "Pumping Iron"... you don't see Arnold poofing..!

**P-funk** · 07-06-2004, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vital Signs

Let's take incline butterflies for instance:... While you raise the weights, your face is tight, your eyes bulge, and you are exhaling blowing spit all over the place, and maybe even screaming a little bit. When you lower the weights, you inhale deeply and lower the weights till you feel the fibers in your pecs start to pull apart. Then you repeat the step! That goes for any exercise you are doing!... squats, leg presses, flat chest presses, bi-cep curls, etc. You exhale on the postive, with a tight face, bulging eyes, and blowing spit all over anybody standing in front of you. Then, you inhale deep on the negative resistance till you feel the muscles start to tear.

I've seen many videos of BBers exercising, and their breathing is nothing more than... poof, poof, poof... And I'm like, Jesus Christ, WTF is that all about..!!!???

Watch "Pumping Iron"... you don't see Arnold poofing..!

Actually, the debate has shifted to talking about breathing during a 1RM at which point it is more beneficial and safer to hold your breath (see also the valsalve manuever (think I spelled that right?).

Studies have showen that when breathing is dictated it can actually mess up movement patterns as your body is trying to worry about when to ehale and when to inhale and coordinate movement to perform the given skill. It is not important whether you inhale or exhale durning the concentric of eccentric portion of the lift, all that is important (when doing reps that is) is that you breathe.

Johnnny · 07-06-2004, 10:01 PM

P-funk

Quote:

If you are doing multiple reps breathing like that is important, otherwise you will most defenitly pass out (I saw one of my freinds do it sqauting once). But, if you are trying to hit a 1RM then pulling as much air in and holding it the whole way through is going to increase thoracic pressure and protect your spine.

I mostly do multiple reps with what ever weight I'm using. But even with a one rep max, I can't help but breathe out on the way up. If I don't I'll faint, & you don't want to faint with 365-400+lbs on your back.

But isn't the weight lifting belt supposed to help keep your back straight? That is what they are for.

Vital Signs · 07-06-2004, 11:14 PM

The only breathing problem I seem to have at times is while doing the delts. At times I find myself wanting to inhale on the way up, and exhale on the way down... but I force myselft to do the opposite... and have found better results that way. Regardless what Lee Haney says..!

Xantix · 07-07-2004, 12:30 AM

Yea, the exhaling does seem to come naturally. Especially when you see people grunting, thats usually a huge release of air right there. I always remember to inhale on the way down, but on the way up I tend to release small amounts of air at a time which sounds funny.

I think I do pretty good, but then again I've never had someone spot me to point out little mistakes like that.

**P-funk** · 07-07-2004, 07:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnnny

P-funk

I mostly do multiple reps with what ever weight I'm using. But even with a one rep max, I can't help but breathe out on the way up. If I don't I'll faint, & you don't want to faint with 365-400+lbs on your back.

But isn't the weight lifting belt supposed to help keep your back straight? That is what they are for.

Yes, the weight belt is there to increase you back support but you are supoposed to inhale as much air as possible, pressing you abs into that belt, and hold it the whole rep. Again, read about the vasalva manuever.

DimebagDarrell · 07-07-2004, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALBOB

I found an easy cure for that......................I don't do abs.

amen! haha

anyhow, i squeeze my lips together then make a small crack and push air out through that through the lift.

DanK · 07-16-2004, 01:32 PM

I find doing squats that I end up breathing in and out twice during each rep, I'm not sure if it's just the massive oxygen your legs consume or more likely the length of the movement. Calf raises I have the opposite problem, not so much holding my breath, but probably only about once every other rep (short movement).

The only exercise holding your breath might be a good idea is swimming, and then only for short time periods

View Poll Results: Do you hold your breath while lifting ?
Yes	12	21.05%
No	45	78.95%
Voters: 57. You may not vote on this poll

06-28-2004, 12:46 PM	#32
Premiere Registered User Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 317	i can not breathe when i am doing my ab work ... i mean i breathe but it's very hard ... i tent to hold my breath when i'm comin in and and then i let it all out when i'm going back down ... i also find that when i work my biceps, and when i'm about to finish my last set .. i tend to hold my breathe also ... hmmm puts a lot of stress on me sometimes ... i'm trying to get it under control tho ~The only way to truly understand your physique is by years of trial and error. Appreciate the journey. There is absolutely no short cut to mastery~ stats: Sex: Female Age: 16 Height: 5'7 1/2 Weight: 199.5 lbs ::The mind is the limit. As long as the mind can envision the fact that you can do something, you can do it-as long as you really believe 100 percent.::

06-28-2004, 12:54 PM	#34
DrChiro addicted to the crack Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: houston, tx Posts: 798	as many have mentioned already...holding your breath while straining is VERY bad...it causes a dramatic rise in blood pressure and if you are predisposed to having a stroke or aneurysm, this is when it is going to happen. Holding your breath while straining is referred to as the valsalva maneuver and is actually one of the reasons many older people and people with heart disease die while taking a shit. They strain while trying to shit while they hold their breath and they stroke out. My point is that this can be serious.....try to break your habit of holding your breath while lifting. (on a side note...i have read many reasons why holding your breath may be useful in lifting...as the added pressure may help your lifts out a bit or that it may help you get past a sticking point..i disagree with ANY reason to hold your breath while straining...but of course that is only my opinion) My opinions may have changed, but not the fact that I am right. When one door closes another door opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the ones which open for us.

06-28-2004, 12:57 PM	#35
DrChiro addicted to the crack Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: houston, tx Posts: 798	glassman....pain while holding your breath and straining is often related to what is called a space occupying lesion. This refers to something in your body that isnt where it is supposed to be like tumors, blood, or a herniated disc if it is in your back. Of course it could be just from the increased pressure itself but if I were you I'd get a second opinion on it at least...and preferably go get an MRI if you still dont come up with any answers. My opinions may have changed, but not the fact that I am right. When one door closes another door opens; but we often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door that we do not see the ones which open for us.

06-28-2004, 01:48 PM	#37
IainDaniel My Role Model Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 17,548	And I thought weight training was an anaerobic activity, not requiring oxygen? Obstacles don't have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don't turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it. Michael Jordan

06-28-2004, 11:27 AM	#31
calalily1972 Moderator Moderator Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 22,438 Photos: 1	My bf does that all that time and I yell at him "Breath dammit". Most people yell to help push the person through a rep, I yell to tell him to breath

06-28-2004, 12:50 PM	#33
Johnnny Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Toronto Posts: 2,844	Sor standing barbell curls for biceps or whatever for biceps I breathe as I bring the weight up, & breathe out as I lower the weight, this works best I find.

06-28-2004, 01:34 PM	#36
Johnnny Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Toronto Posts: 2,844	As I said during every rep of every workout for every muscle you need to breathe in order to supply the body & muscles being worked with enough oxygen. In some ppl, I've seen ppl faint b/c they haven't been breathing properly. As Dr.Chiro has said not breathing can cause a rise in blood pressure as well as other nasty problems but the most common one is probably fatigue during your workout.

06-28-2004, 07:43 PM	#38
chadeau Registered User Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Waterloo Ont/Gaspe QC Posts: 40	I usually breath properly while I lift, but when I'm maxing out and trying to finish one last rep I find it hard not to hold my breath and just push with everything I've got.

07-06-2004, 01:54 PM	#39
Saturday Fever Pimp Gimp Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: California Posts: 2,142 Photos: 4	OK, now while I won't speak to breathing if hypertrophy is your main goal (though science, to my knowledge, has never shown hypertrophy benefits with breathing) I will speak to holding your breath when lifting BIG. When you're squattting 500+ pounds, and you breathe, the first thing this does is release the tightness to your form and cause instability. Now imagine wavering, even ever so slightly, when you're descending to the hole with 540 pounds on your back. Do you think your back is going to be happy? Hell no. When performing mex effort lifts, it is ESSENTIAL that you breath air into your belly, hold it there, and push out against that air with your abs. Why? Because it creates a strong base and gives your body stabilization. This applies to squats, bench (if you do it with strength in mind) and deadlifting, though I would tend to agree with the others with regards to anything else. And I would never try doing reps with my breath held, that just seems silly. yay.

07-06-2004, 05:02 PM	#40
Johnnny Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Toronto Posts: 2,844	Saturday Fever I know exactly what you mean. What a coincedence. I was doing my legs today. I wasn't using 540lbs only 365lbs for about 6 reps (used to do more) but as I was working my way down to parallel to the floor level, I could only help but take a deep breath just before I descended & then held my breath, & then as I exploded the weight up, outputting a huge amount of air from deep within. I can't do squats any other way.

07-06-2004, 05:26 PM	#41
Saturday Fever Pimp Gimp Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: California Posts: 2,142 Photos: 4	I never said anything about breathing out. I won't let my air out until I've reached lockout and the bar is in a safe spot to release tension. Anything less and I'd be having back surgery to remove all my discs. yay.

07-06-2004, 08:15 PM	#44
Vital Signs Pure Energy Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 177	Let's take incline butterflies for instance:... While you raise the weights, your face is tight, your eyes bulge, and you are exhaling blowing spit all over the place, and maybe even screaming a little bit. When you lower the weights, you inhale deeply and lower the weights till you feel the fibers in your pecs start to pull apart. Then you repeat the step! That goes for any exercise you are doing!... squats, leg presses, flat chest presses, bi-cep curls, etc. You exhale on the postive, with a tight face, bulging eyes, and blowing spit all over anybody standing in front of you. Then, you inhale deep on the negative resistance till you feel the muscles start to tear. I've seen many videos of BBers exercising, and their breathing is nothing more than... poof, poof, poof... And I'm like, Jesus Christ, WTF is that all about..!!!??? Watch "Pumping Iron"... you don't see Arnold poofing..!

07-06-2004, 11:14 PM	#47
Vital Signs Pure Energy Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 177	The only breathing problem I seem to have at times is while doing the delts. At times I find myself wanting to inhale on the way up, and exhale on the way down... but I force myselft to do the opposite... and have found better results that way. Regardless what Lee Haney says..!

07-07-2004, 12:30 AM	#48
Xantix Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Canada Posts: 118 Photos: 7	Yea, the exhaling does seem to come naturally. Especially when you see people grunting, thats usually a huge release of air right there. I always remember to inhale on the way down, but on the way up I tend to release small amounts of air at a time which sounds funny. I think I do pretty good, but then again I've never had someone spot me to point out little mistakes like that.

07-16-2004, 01:32 PM	#51
DanK Registered User Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Missouri Posts: 204	I find doing squats that I end up breathing in and out twice during each rep, I'm not sure if it's just the massive oxygen your legs consume or more likely the length of the movement. Calf raises I have the opposite problem, not so much holding my breath, but probably only about once every other rep (short movement). The only exercise holding your breath might be a good idea is swimming, and then only for short time periods

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