Quick Note On Breathing During Resistance Training

Posted by Chad Anderson CSCS on December 1, 2008 under General Fitness, Strength Training | Be the First to Comment

There still seems to be some confusion regarding this topic, so I just wanted to post a quick blurb about breathing technique during resistance training. Your breathing pattern should look like this:

• Breathe In: During the eccentric phase. The eccentric phase is when the muscle in lengthening. For example, during the bench press you would breathe in as you are lowering the bar.

• Breathe Out: During the concentric phase. The concentric phase is when the muscle is shortening. For example, during the bench press you would breathe out as you are pressing the bar off the chest to the starting position.

• Avoid: Holding the breath during a full repetition or multiple repetitions.

To simplify the above, just remember this: Breathe out during the hard part of the movement; breathe in during the easy part of the movement. Under some circumstances, advanced breathing techniques may be used. However, this is all most people will need to remember.

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