Breathing techniques advice please

[cabbieman]

I'm still a newbie at this and as I'm overweight and relatively unfit, I find my breathing is all over the place. When I think about it and I'm not on a hill, I can breathe through my nose and out through my mouth. Is this a good way to go? Do you think about your breathing or are you naturally relaxed about it.

 

[Milkfloat]

Personally, I just breath, unless I am going too hard, in which case I gasp and turn a funny colour

 

[lazybloke]

I'm normal weight and am reasonably fit but that doesn't help my breathing - normally very shallow, so when I'm going up hills I'm soon feeling a lack of oxygen. Work offer a biennial health assessment which includes a peak flow spirometer test. I always post a low reading in that test.

HAve been reading about Graeme Obree's breathing technique, but haven't had a chance to try it yet.

Will be watching this thread with interest.

 

[User269]

Just leave it to your autonomic nervous system.

 

[S-Express]

As above ^^. Your autonomic nervous system is a wonderful thing. It takes care of breathing for you. Don't overthink it. In fact, don't even think it at all - you don't have to.

 

[PeteXXX]

Due to my propensity for breathing through my mouth, I gain much added protein by swallowing every passing winged bug...
Luckily, on a night ride, a mate was in front of me and caught a large moth, as it was heading my way, and spent half an hour coughing and hiccing it up!

 

[dim]

you are unfit and need to cycle more

when I started cycling again a while back, I could not breathe properly after 3km of cycling .... keep at it and your breathing and fitness will improve very fast

 

[NorthernDave]

As above.

Unless a lung pops out, in which case you're pushing too hard.

 

[Spinney]

I'm still a newbie at this and as I'm overweight and relatively unfit, I find my breathing is all over the place. When I think about it and I'm not on a hill, I can breathe through my nose and out through my mouth. Is this a good way to go? Do you think about your breathing or are you naturally relaxed about it.

I don't really think about it, but I probably breathe in and out through my mouth and nose together most of the time (not as much nose in winter, when the amount of snot generated by cold air tends to block my nose a bit).

Just breathe - you're cycling, not doing one of those exercise classes where they tell you how to breathe as well as what to do.

 

[boydj]

I find that when I'm working hard that I have to make a conscious effort to breathe deeply, otherwise I'd find myself panting with relatively short, shallow breaths.

 

[roadrash]

My only advice re breathing is .....keep doing it

 

[Ciar]

I generally don' think about it until i am blowing out of my harris

 

[biggs682]

My only advice re breathing is .....keep doing it

that would be my advice as well , and not just when you are cycling

 

[mjr]

If I'm struggling for breath, I take that as a sign to change down and slow down a bit!

 

[Globalti]

If breathing hard and passing a farm or field of cows, clench your teeth in the hope of keeping out any flies that you might inhale.