[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Svl-1XEU28s&w=420&h=315]

Did you know that at rest, we only use 10-15% of our lung capacity? Muscles at work demand more oxygen than muscles at rest.

Breathing properly during exercise improves strength, prevents dizziness, and can burn more calories. Watch Coach Beqir’s demonstration video below.

Oxygen plus water equals weight loss. For a detailed explanation see link:

http://www.military.com/military-fitness/weight-loss/want-to-lose-weight

If you breathe too slowly, your heart rate increases as well as your perception of the exercise intensity.

Coach Beqir’s Top Five Breathing Tips:

• Use diaphragmatic breathing during cardio:
  1. Relax your abs–pulling them in too tight or sucking in your stomach will limit breath capacity.
  2. Breathe deep enough so that your belly—not your chest—rises and falls as you inhale and exhale.
  3. Continue this technique at your own pace.

• INHALE during the eccentric (easy) portion of the exercise and EXHALE during the concentric (hard) portion of the exercise. For example in a push-up, inhale on the way down and exhale as you push yourself up. Your exhalation will actually help you perform the exercise with more power.
• Never hold your breath during exercise. This is known as the valsalva maneuver to be used by professional weight lifters only.
• Deep breathing during post-workout stretching will increase your flexibility while allowing you to relax more and cool down.