Aerobic breathing refers to a breathing technique that allows you to get the maximum amount of oxygen with each breath. Best for when doing cardiovascular activity, aerobic breathing can help you increase your intake of oxygen for better endurance, whether you're running, biking, dancing or participating in another type of aerobic activity. Practice your aerobic breathing at home so you're ready to implement your techniques when exercising in order to stay in the game longer.
Step 1
Practice your breathing at home first. Lie on an exercise mat on the floor. Place your hand over your belly and breathe in through your nose. With each breath, you should easily see your hand rising over your belly. Practice filling your whole belly with air and then pushing the air out through your mouth.
Step 2
Start your workout with quick breathing in rapid succession. This will increase your energy level, suggests the American Medical Student Association. Quick breaths are associated with a burst of energy. They can help you rev up your body in preparation for your workout as well as facilitate a quick intake of oxygen to start your workout properly.
Step 3
Breathe with a cadence while participating in aerobic activity. This means creating a breathing pattern. Military.com suggests breathing in for three counts and out for two. You can count your breaths with each pace or breathe in time with your workout music to help steady your breath.
Step 4
Take air in through both your nose and your mouth. This will increase oxygen flow when your body is working hard. While breathing through your nose is common at a mild to moderate pace, you may need the extra oxygen while exercising at an intermediate level. Continue the same breathing pattern, using your mouth and nose to facilitate the flow of oxygen.
Tips and Warnings
- Slow your pace if at any time during your workout you feel as though you cannot get enough air, even with aerobic breathing. This could mean that you're overexerting your body. Build gradually to new levels of difficulty to allow your body to automatically regulate the amount of oxygen it needs to function during exercise.
