It seems that is is common that when we are lifting weights that we as humans tend to hold our breath especially if we are a beginner. What is the benefit even if it’s only a few seconds?
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When you tense up you tend to hold your breath. Holding your breath is detrimental because you need oxygen to do the thing you are trying to do.
Alright, picture this: You’re blowing up a balloon, but you pinch the end so no air can get out. It’s gonna be super hard to blow it up, right? Your body’s kinda similar when you’re working out.
When you’re lifting weights or doing any exercise, your muscles need oxygen to work properly. If you hold your breath, especially during the tough parts, you’re kinda like that pinched balloon – not getting the air you need. Breathing helps get oxygen to those hard-working muscles and also helps get rid of waste stuff your muscles don’t want.
So, personal trainers remind us to breathe because it helps our muscles work better and keeps us from feeling super tired or dizzy. It’s like making sure the balloon gets filled up just right!
When you lift weights you subconsciously tend to do what is called a Valsalva maneuver, that is pushing to exhale while keeping your throat closed. This has a lot of physiologic effects that are not useful. For example the pressure you feel in your eyes and ears is exactly that, an added pressure to the upper part of your body that gets added to your blood pressure stressing your heart valves and arteries. It also slows your heart down and diminishes the amount of blood reaching your brain and can lead to fainting.
Professional athletes choose to groan, scream, exhale during maximal effort and so should you.
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