Your lungs play a vital role in delivering oxygen to your blood. Strong lungs can help enhance your endurance, reduce breathlessness and improve your overall quality of life, especially if you're an athlete. Even people with lung-related conditions, such as asthma, can benefit from exercise that strengthens the lungs, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Swinging Arms
This exercise helps strengthen your lungs and all the related muscles necessary for breathing, reports the Ohio State University Medical Center. Stand straight and cross both of your arms in front of you to form an "X" shape. Lift both arms simultaneously while taking a deep breath through your nose. Pay attention to the feeling of your rib cage expanding and lifting. Exhale as you slowly lower your arms, maintaining the "X" shape the whole time. Repeat this exercise so that you do 10 repetitions three times daily, recommends the medical center.
Bicycling
Riding a bicycle is one of the best exercises for children, notes the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. However, even adults can incorporate bicycle riding as both a form of recreational exercise -- aim to ride for a minimum of 30 minutes a day -- as well as a method of transportation to work or the grocery store. Not only does riding a bike strengthen the lungs, but the department states that it also helps improve the strength and endurance of the heart and legs. If you're providing a bicycle to a child as a way to work out his lungs, have the child wear a helmet while riding in a safe, car-free zone with plenty of supervision.
Jumping Rope
Using a jump rope may seem like something only for kids. Not so, reports the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. Jumping rope is especially helpful for conditioning your heart and lungs, and also is one of the best ways to burn calories, according to the institute.
Rolling Shoulders
Rolling your shoulders can help build your lung strength, notes Ohio State University Medical Center. Sit upright in a chair and breathe in through your nose as deep as you can. Simultaneously, roll your shoulders back. This opens up the chest area for greater lung capacity. Exhale slowly through your nose while rolling your shoulders forward, and repeat so that you do 10 repetitions of this movement. For optimal results, the center suggests doing this three times every day.
Aerobic Exercises
All aerobic exercises help to strengthen your lungs, states the National Institutes of Health. Ideally, you should incorporate aerobic movements for half an hour, a minimum of five times a week. The NIH states that some of the best aerobic exercises include walking, swimming -- a low-impact exercise method that's an option if you have poor joint health -- and running.
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