Part of strong running is surely strong breathing techniques. After all, without oxygen, your body can’t operate at its peak. So take a deep breath and let’s check in on some techniques you can use to improve your air intake, and as a result, your running!
Head To The Mat
The yoga mat is a great place to work on your breathing. As you move through your flow, your practice should center on your breath. Focus on filling your lungs slowly, and then just as slowly, releasing your air. This will make it easier to dig deep when you’re logging your miles.
It’s The Climb
Challenge your breathing by working yourself a little harder in the cardio department. Try some hills or a stairs to challenge your heart rate, and train your body to breathe through the effort. You can mange either of these workouts outside, or head to the gym for the treadmill, stairclimber, or elliptical.
Box Breathing
Another great breathing technique is box breathing. Sit comfortably, with your shoulders back, your chin high, and your back straight. Practice inhaling slowly for ten seconds, hold your breath for ten seconds, exhale for ten, and hold for ten. Repeat ten times.
Meditate
Meditation is another great way to really improve your breathing, which will ultimately lead to an improvement in running. When you quiet your mind and really focus on the flow of air in and out of your lungs, you can bring more strength to the act. Plus, it helps your overall mental wellbeing.
Blow Up Balloons
I borrowed this trick from the marching band. Take a regular latex balloon and blow it up. Exhale slowly and steadily as long as you can. Release the air from the balloon and do it again. Repeat 10 to 15 times.
What are some techniques you use to improve your breathing?
Welcome to Fit Five Friday, our new linkup!
We’ve got FIVE incredible co-hosts, and we are ready to link up every Friday to share YOUR weekly fitness favorites! Join My First 5K and More, Running With Attitude, Run Laugh Eat Pie, Runs with Pugs, and Zenaida every Friday for Fit Five Friday! Who’s ready for some fun?
Grab our graphic and share the love!
Oh yeah, a good stair workout will do the trick!
You know it’s the truth!
I have found that box breathing and meditation have helped me quite a bit.
They can be great!
Box breathing helps me to sleep better but I haven’t thought about it in relation to running. Thanks for the tips!
I’ve been trying it for sleep, but I’m also looking into mouth taping!
I do use box breathing if I can’t fall asleep. And, I agree that stairs are a great workout! I’ve never thought of blowing up balloons- but it sounds like it would work well.
I don’t do any of these things. Though sometimes when I am trying to fall asleep.
I do struggle to breathe… I think running helps.
These are very good tips, I need to try training with the balloon!