Inspiratory muscle strength training

Our bodies respond to exercise in a variety of ways to increase efficiency. One key factor that contributes to you exercising less is the efficiency of your respiratory system. Regular exercise can improve your fitness by strengthening your respiratory muscles, as these are the muscles that aid you in breathing. Not only will regular exercise strengthen your muscles, your lungs will also change to increase your endurance and energy production. But there is one form of training that specifically targets your breathing muscles; POWERbreathe Inspiratory Muscle Strength Training (IMST).

Benefits of inspiratory muscle strength training

Increasing the strength of your respiratory muscles is beneficial because you are then able to increase your respiratory volume. This is a measure of the amount of air you can inhale and exhale, as well as the residual amount which remains in your lungs. This makes exercise feel easier and you will be able to train for longer. 

Target Heart Zone

Any type of inspiratory muscle strength training depends on how you exercise within your target heart zone. Typically the heart rate zone is when your heart beats at 50 to 75 percent of its maximum rate.

Training

Like everything if you have been inactive with your training your muscles will not be as flexible. You need to slowly ease back into training and get your body used to the demands that you are placing on it. When coming back to training after a long period of absence you should always start at the lower end of your heart target zone. The heart and the lungs will work together to build the strength in these organs, something which will take some time and effort. Overtime you will become stronger which will mean you can increase the intensity of your workout and get back towards the higher end of your heart rate zone.

Types

Reaching this intensity will not be easy. However, to help you will need to incorporate aerobic activity into your workout. You can maintain your level of fitness by exercising at least three to five times per week. This regular pattern of exercise will also help you strengthen and condition the main large muscles of your body. These muscles will require more oxygen and therefore it is beneficial to increase the strength of your respiratory system.

Include IMST in your fit-mix

As with any strength and conditioning exercise, inspiratory muscle strength training is a key ingredient in the fitness mix. Using an inspiratory muscle breathing trainer such as POWERbreathe IMT will help increase your performance in sports and fitness, as well as help you to breathe with ease.