Breathing technique for bench press??

[Fanatik]

According to one of the trainers at the gym i go to you have to inhale while you lower the bar and exhale on the way up.

According to the article i read on BB.com by Curtis Schultz who is a contributor for Ironman magazine , you have to hold you breath BEFORE you lower the bar


which one of those methods is more effective for a non advanced lifter?

[HopkinFrog]

I always thought it was correct to exhale during the effort (i.e. pushing the weight up in this case).

[NY Money Mike]

most sorces say to exhale on the concentric phase of the lift. Although most power lifters will hold breath through the sticking point I believe, but (I assume) for your purposes exhale when exerting the force

[kliddy]

I always hold my breath. Idk if its just me but, when i hold my breath, it feels like im using more muscle. When i take breaths, it makes it more less harder for me. Idk why. Maybe im not the only one this happens too. I hope lol.

[papi93]

For a beginning strength trainer (with no cardiac issues), I would always recommend not worrying about your breathing pattern. The body will naturally take this action over, for you, and you can just concentrate more on proper exercise technique. For lower rep sets, breath holding, through the sticking point, will increase intra-abdominal pressure and result in a more stable spine.

The general recommendation that you will get from the majority of noob trainers is to exhale on the concentric contraction and inhale on the eccentric contraction.

[Fanatik]

I always thought it was correct to exhale during the effort (i.e. pushing the weight up in this case).

that true and that what both of them say.
But if you read carefully one says before you lower the bar HOLD your breath which means INHALING when your elbows locked out then lowering the bar

and others (trainer) says to INHALE WHILE you lower the bar

[vegasdsm]

i inhale about the first 25% of lowering the weight... exhale when im ~80% done w/the rep (bringing the weight back up)...

focused breathing can lead to moving more weight, imo (as well as good form, arch, and leg drive)

[knackbobbes]

Most important thing - don?t forget to breath !!! As i learned and know from experience, you exhale while pressing and inhale while lower the weight to the chest. imo you should never hold your breath, especially as a beginner. Keep breathing

[Ironized]

For a beginning strength trainer (with no cardiac issues), I would always recommend not worrying about your breathing pattern. The body will naturally take this action over, for you, and you can just concentrate more on proper exercise technique. For lower rep sets, breath holding, through the sticking point, will increase intra-abdominal pressure and result in a more stable spine.

The general recommendation that you will get from the majority of noob trainers is to exhale on the concentric contraction and inhale on the eccentric contraction.

Spot on!

If holding was so bad why do doctors have women take in a big breath and hold while they push in child bearing? PUSH!!!