Fitness Tip of the Month: Train Your Lungs

Published on:January 01, 0001

Breathing patterns have been proven to influence how efficiently we handle running, lifting, swimming, cycling and more.

Practicing proper breathing techniques can help you become a better runner mentally and physically. Check out what Active.com has to say about breathing tips:

1. Go for a one-minute walk. During the walk, focus on slow deep breathing. Concentrate on expanding your belly as you breathe. Keep an even breathing pattern during the walk. Pay attention to your stride. More than likely you're taking multiple strides during each inhale as well as each exhale. Remember that a good exhale will clear the lungs of CO2 making room for more oxygen. Also focus on good posture. Walk with a "tall spine." Keep your head up, but relax your shoulders. Slumped posture can actually decrease your lung capacity.
2. Now, pick up the pace for a one-minute brisk walk while maintaining the same deep even breathing pattern. It may take a little concentration to keep your breathing rate from increasing as you pick up the pace, but you'll be surprised how easily you can actually control it by just paying a little attention to it.
3. Now, pick up the pace for a one-minute slow jog. Focus on keeping the same even breathing pattern. This may be a little more challenging, but you can do it. Pay attention to the number of strides you're taking with each inhale and exhale. (To count a stride, just count each time your right foot hits the ground.)
4. Finally, pick up the pace to a one-minute run. Focus on keeping the same even breathing pattern you've been keeping since the walk. Take note of the number of strides you're taking for each inhale and exhale. They may not be the same.

With these breathing tips, you'll be able to practice proper breathing techniques and apply it each time you run!

Need some motivation to start running? Check out 5 Reasons to Start Running Now and get yourself out the door!