This is a question I get asked from time to time and one of my regular readers asked me just last week.

Here’s the basic low down on breathing technique whilst you are training with weights.

Breathe in on the negative (eccentric) movement.

For example: On the way down for squats, on the way up for lat pulldown.

Breathe out on the positive (concentric) movement.

For example: On the way up for bench press, on the way in for seated row.

The general rule of thumb is to breathe out on the hardest part of the movement (the positive or concentric part).

There is a way you can breathe employing what’s called the Valsal technique. I do not reccomend this as it is only really for the super advanced and competitive athletes/powerlifters.

For that reason I won’t go into the explanation of it.

The bottom line is you want to have the most stability thoroughout the concentric phase of any lift and breathing out provides greater stability to the core of the body.

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