Respiratory muscle training is resistance for the diaphragm and the muscles that open the airway. You breathe through a device that makes the inhale or exhale hard. Athletes use it. People with some lung conditions use clinical versions. It is not Hof breathing and it is not Zone 2. It is a small, specific pump.
How to do it
We cover The Breather and Powerbreathe Fitness Plus. Short sessions, most days, resistance you can finish without panic. Combine with nasal work from McKeown and the tour in Breath. Parent page: breathing and cardio. Do not do this in a pool. Do not mix with a big Hof round until you know which drill you are on.
FAQ
Will this raise my VO2 max by itself?
It can help the respiratory limiter. You still need an aerobic engine.
How soon?
A few weeks of consistent sessions. If breathing feels worse, stop and get checked.
Asthma?
Sometimes used under guidance. Not a replacement for inhalers. Clinician first.
Not a substitute for pulmonary rehab prescribed to you. Chest pain or fainting: stop.
