Blog Layout

Resistance Training: Building Strength, Enhancing Health, and Empowering Lives

At Newsom Fitness, we believe that resistance training, also known as strength training or weight training, is more than just an exercise routine—it’s a key to unlocking a healthier, stronger, and more empowered life. Resistance training focuses on maintaining and improving muscle quantity and quality, offering a broad range of benefits for individuals of all ages. Beyond enhancing athletic performance, it plays a vital role in improving health-related fitness, preventing chronic diseases, and supporting functional movement. It is a fundamental component of any well-rounded fitness regimen, complementing aerobic exercise and delivering distinct and powerful benefits.


As the world becomes more health-conscious, resistance training has gained traction across various populations. From athletes aiming to boost performance to older adults striving to maintain independence, resistance training has something to offer everyone. In 2008, the U.S. government formally recognized its importance by adding resistance training to the physical activity guidelines for Americans. These guidelines recommend that adults engage in moderate to high-intensity muscle-strengthening activities that target all major muscle groups at least two days per week. This advice is especially important for older adults, who can benefit even more from the protective effects of strength training.


In this comprehensive blog from Newsom Fitness, we’ll explore the science behind resistance training, its numerous health benefits, and its specific advantages for women and older adults. Whether you’re new to fitness or looking to enhance your current routine, resistance training is a powerful tool to help you build strength, improve health, and live an empowered life.


The Science Behind Resistance Training

Resistance training involves exercises that prompt muscles to contract against an external resistance. This resistance can come from free weights, resistance bands, machines, or even your own body weight. As you challenge your muscles, they adapt by growing larger and stronger—a process called hypertrophy. Over time, resistance training improves the body’s overall function, allowing you to perform everyday tasks more efficiently and with greater ease.


Research shows that resistance training yields numerous short- and long-term physiological benefits. According to Muñoz-López et al, these benefits include enhanced muscle hypertrophy, improved body composition, increased strength, better motor performance, and positive impacts on cardiovascular health, such as reduced blood pressure and improved insulin sensitivity. Resistance training also promotes bone mineral density, which is particularly important for preventing osteoporosis and reducing the risk of fractures as we age.

What makes resistance training even more compelling is its effect on both the muscular and neural systems. On the muscular side, it strengthens and enlarges muscle fibers. On the neural side, it enhances the nervous system’s ability to activate those muscles, resulting in better coordination, balance, and power during physical activities. The benefits are comprehensive and touch every aspect of physical health.


Historical Context of Resistance Training

The roots of resistance training stretch back to ancient civilizations, where strength and physical prowess were celebrated. In ancient Greece and Rome, events such as discus throwing, shot put, and wrestling showcased the importance of strength, speed, and power. These early displays of physical training laid the groundwork for modern resistance training practices.


Fast forward to today, and resistance training is recognized as an essential element of any well-rounded fitness program. It complements the benefits of aerobic exercise, which is critical for heart health and endurance. While cardio keeps the heart and lungs healthy, resistance training strengthens muscles, improves bone health, and boosts metabolic function. Together, these two forms of exercise create balanced fitness routines that promote long-term health and well-being.


In 2008, resistance training was officially included in the U.S. physical activity guidelines, emphasizing its importance in maintaining health and preventing disease. These guidelines advise adults to engage in muscle-strengthening exercises targeting all major muscle groups on at least two days per week. This inclusion demonstrates the growing recognition of resistance training as a vital part of overall fitness.


Benefits of Resistance Training

At Newsom Fitness, we know that resistance training offers a wealth of benefits that go beyond building muscle. From improving mental health to reducing the risk of chronic diseases, resistance training is an essential part of any fitness journey. Let’s explore some of the most notable benefits:


1. Muscle Hypertrophy and Strength

Muscle hypertrophy refers to the increase in muscle size that occurs as a result of resistance training. When you challenge your muscles with progressively heavier resistance, the body responds by building stronger, larger muscles. This not only enhances athletic performance but also improves everyday functionality.

For athletes, increased muscle mass translates to improved performance in activities that require explosive movements, such as sprinting, jumping, or weightlifting. For non-athletes, it means having the strength and endurance to perform daily tasks, such as lifting groceries, climbing stairs, or carrying children, with greater ease.

Muscle strength also plays a key role in maintaining a healthy metabolism. Since muscle tissue burns more calories at rest than fat tissue, increasing your muscle mass can help with weight management and fat loss. When combined with cardiovascular exercise and a healthy diet, resistance training is an effective strategy for achieving and maintaining a healthy body composition.


2. Bone Health

One of the most significant benefits of resistance training, especially as we age, is its positive impact on bone health. As we get older, bone density naturally declines, increasing the risk of osteoporosis and fractures. This is especially concerning for postmenopausal women, who experience a sharp drop in estrogen levels that accelerates bone loss.

Resistance training works to counteract this process by stimulating bone remodeling, where old bone tissue is replaced with new, stronger tissue. By engaging in weight-bearing exercises, you can increase bone density and reduce the risk of fractures and osteoporosis. For older adults and individuals at risk for bone-related issues, resistance training is an invaluable tool for maintaining bone strength and health.


3. Cardiovascular Health

While often associated with muscle building, resistance training also delivers significant cardiovascular benefits. Studies have shown that resistance training can improve cardiovascular risk factors such as insulin resistance, glucose regulation, and lipid metabolism. It can also help lower blood pressure and improve cholesterol levels, contributing to overall heart health.

For individuals with type II diabetes or metabolic syndrome, resistance training can be particularly effective in managing blood sugar levels and enhancing insulin sensitivity. By reducing body fat and increasing muscle mass, resistance training helps regulate glucose metabolism, making it easier for the body to process carbohydrates.


4. Mental Health and Cognitive Function

The mental health benefits of resistance training are just as important as the physical ones. Regular exercise, including resistance training, has been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and stress. The release of endorphins during exercise creates a natural "feel-good" effect that can help boost mood and promote mental well-being.


Moreover, resistance training has been linked to improved cognitive function, especially in older adults. Regular strength training can help slow the cognitive decline associated with aging and enhance memory, attention, and executive function. These cognitive benefits are critical for maintaining mental sharpness and preventing conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease.


5. Improved Daily Functionality

At Newsom Fitness, we understand that one of the most practical benefits of resistance training is its ability to improve performance in everyday life. Whether it’s lifting, bending, or carrying, the strength and functional capacity gained from resistance training make daily tasks easier and less physically taxing.


This improved functionality is particularly important for older adults who may struggle with mobility or balance issues as they age. Resistance training strengthens muscles, enhances coordination, and improves balance, all of which are critical for maintaining independence and reducing the risk of falls. By improving joint stability and overall strength, resistance training helps individuals stay active and self-sufficient for longer.


Resistance Training for Women

At Newsom Fitness, we believe that resistance training is a powerful tool for women’s health—whether it’s for managing menopause, improving athletic performance, or simply staying fit. Let’s dive into some of the key factors and benefits of resistance training for women:


1. Barriers to Participation

Despite its benefits, many women hesitate to participate in resistance training due to misconceptions and cultural barriers. Some fear “bulking up,” while others may feel intimidated by weightlifting or worry about potential injuries. For older women, physical issues or concerns about pain can also prevent them from engaging in strength training.

At Newsom Fitness, we aim to break down these barriers through education and support. By dispelling myths and providing a safe, encouraging environment, we help women discover the transformative power of resistance training.


2. Benefits for Women’s Health

Resistance training offers significant health benefits for women, especially as they age. Regular strength training can help manage chronic conditions such as metabolic syndrome, fibromyalgia, and rheumatoid arthritis. Additionally, resistance training supports lean muscle mass, enhances insulin sensitivity, and aids in managing conditions like type II diabetes.


For postmenopausal women, resistance training is particularly important for maintaining bone density and reducing the risk of osteoporosis. By regularly engaging in weight-bearing exercises, women can increase bone strength and functional capacity, reducing the likelihood of falls and fractures.


Impact on Athletic Performance

For women interested in sports or competitive activities, resistance training is a game-changer. Strength training improves muscular endurance, agility, and power, allowing female athletes to perform at their peak. Whether it’s weightlifting, running, or CrossFit, resistance training helps women develop the strength, stamina, and balance necessary for success in sports.


Special Considerations for Aging Populations

At Newsom Fitness, we emphasize that resistance training is critical for healthy aging. As we age, we naturally lose muscle mass and strength—a condition known as sarcopenia. This decline can negatively affect balance, mobility, and overall functional capacity.


For older adults, especially women going through menopause, the loss of estrogen accelerates muscle and bone deterioration. This makes resistance training an essential tool for maintaining physical health and preventing issues like osteoporosis.


Resistance Training vs. Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is commonly prescribed to help women manage symptoms of menopause, such as hot flashes, mood changes, and bone loss. However, HRT can have side effects, including headaches and breast tenderness.


As a natural alternative, resistance training offers many of the same benefits without the side effects. By engaging in regular strength training, women can improve bone density, maintain lean body mass, and promote overall physical and mental well-being—making resistance training an effective and empowering choice for managing menopause.


Conclusion

Resistance training is a powerful, versatile exercise modality that offers a wide range of physical, mental, and emotional benefits. From increasing muscle mass and strength to improving cardiovascular health and mental well-being, it’s a vital part of any fitness routine.


At Newsom Fitness, we encourage everyone—especially women and older adults—to make resistance training a regular part of their lives. Whether you’re new to fitness or looking to enhance your performance, incorporating resistance training will help you build strength, improve health, and lead an empowered life. Let’s get stronger together!

Better Sleep, Better Life: How Fitness, Nutrition, and Mindful Habits Can Improve Sleep Quality

December 8, 2024
At Newsom Fitness, we know that quality sleep is one of the pillars of a healthy, fulfilling life. Yet, for many, restful sleep can feel elusive—especially when dealing with stress, hormonal changes, or lifestyle disruptions. Sleep plays a critical role in physical recovery, mental clarity, emotional balance, and overall health. However, with the right strategies—including fitness, nutrition, and mindful habits—you can significantly improve your sleep quality and, by extension, your quality of life. Whether you're struggling with stress, navigating the effects of hormonal changes, or just looking to optimize your health, this blog will guide you through how to enhance your sleep through fitness routines, balanced nutrition, and mindfulness techniques. Why Sleep is So Important for a Better Life Before diving into ways to improve sleep, it's important to understand why sleep matters. Sleep isn't just a period of rest; it’s an active process where the body and mind work to restore and repair. During sleep, your brain consolidates memories, regulates hormones, and clears out toxins. Meanwhile, your body works to repair muscles, replenish energy stores, and produce essential molecules like growth hormones. Poor sleep can have a domino effect on nearly every aspect of health: Cognitive Function: A lack of sleep leads to memory issues, decreased concentration, and slower reaction times. Emotional Well-being: Sleep deprivation contributes to mood swings, irritability, anxiety, and depression. Physical Health: Chronic sleep deprivation is linked to a higher risk of heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. Hormonal Balance: Inadequate sleep can disrupt the hormones that regulate appetite, stress, and reproductive health. For those going through stressful periods, dealing with hormonal fluctuations, or facing other life challenges, sleep often becomes one of the first things to suffer. Fortunately, by making fitness, nutrition, and mindfulness key parts of your routine, you can improve the quality of your sleep and support better overall health. The Connection Between Fitness and Sleep Quality Physical activity has a profound impact on sleep quality. Regular exercise not only helps you fall asleep faster but also improves the depth and duration of your sleep. This is because exercise increases the time spent in deep sleep, the most restorative phase of sleep, where tissue repair and muscle recovery occur. How Fitness Enhances Sleep Regulates the Sleep-Wake Cycle: Exercise helps regulate your circadian rhythm—the body’s internal clock that tells you when it’s time to sleep and wake up. By maintaining regular exercise, especially outdoors where you’re exposed to natural light, you reinforce your body’s natural sleep-wake patterns. Reduces Stress Hormones: Physical activity reduces levels of cortisol, the body's primary stress hormone. High cortisol levels, especially at night, can interfere with your ability to fall asleep and stay asleep. Exercise acts as a natural stress reliever, helping your body release tension and prepare for restful sleep. Increases Endorphins: Exercise promotes the release of endorphins, the body's "feel-good" chemicals, which help regulate mood and combat stress. This can create a positive mental state that is conducive to sleep. Improves Mental Health: Regular physical activity can alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression, both of which are often associated with sleep disturbances. By improving mental health, fitness helps break the cycle of stress-induced insomnia. Enhances Deep Sleep: Exercise, particularly strength training and high-intensity activities, increases the amount of time you spend in deep sleep, which is the most restorative stage of sleep. Deep sleep is essential for muscle repair, energy replenishment, and hormone regulation. Best Types of Exercise for Better Sleep While any physical activity can contribute to better sleep, certain types of exercise are especially beneficial: Cardiovascular Exercise: Activities like running, swimming, cycling, or brisk walking help reduce insomnia and increase sleep efficiency. Cardio boosts circulation, lowers blood pressure, and helps release stress, making it easier to fall asleep. Strength Training: Building muscle through resistance exercises can improve sleep quality by increasing deep sleep. Activities like weightlifting, bodyweight exercises, or using resistance bands can significantly enhance sleep, particularly when done earlier in the day. Yoga and Stretching: Mind-body exercises like yoga or stretching routines promote relaxation and flexibility, making it easier to wind down before bed. Yoga has been shown to improve both sleep quality and duration, particularly in people dealing with stress or anxiety. Tai Chi: This gentle, flowing form of exercise combines movement with mindful breathing, making it an excellent option for people struggling with insomnia or high levels of stress. Tai Chi has been found to improve both sleep quality and mental clarity. Timing Your Workouts for Optimal Sleep While exercise promotes better sleep, timing matters. Here are some tips on scheduling your workouts: Morning and Afternoon: Exercising in the morning or afternoon is ideal for regulating your circadian rhythm. Exposure to natural light during these times helps signal to your body when it’s time to be awake and when it’s time to sleep later in the day. Evening: For some people, vigorous exercise too close to bedtime may energize the body and make it harder to fall asleep. However, others find that gentle evening exercises, like yoga or stretching, help them relax and prepare for bed. Experiment with timing to see what works best for your body. How Nutrition Impacts Sleep Just as fitness influences sleep, what you eat also plays a critical role in how well you rest. Certain foods and nutrients can either promote or inhibit sleep, depending on how and when they are consumed. Key Nutrients for Better Sleep Tryptophan: An amino acid found in foods like turkey, eggs, nuts, and seeds, tryptophan is a precursor to serotonin, a neurotransmitter that promotes relaxation and sleepiness. Serotonin is then converted into melatonin, the hormone responsible for regulating sleep. Magnesium: Magnesium plays a key role in supporting deep, restorative sleep by helping to relax muscles and calm the nervous system. Foods rich in magnesium include leafy greens, bananas, almonds, pumpkin seeds, and dark chocolate. Calcium: Calcium helps the brain use tryptophan to produce melatonin. Dairy products, leafy greens, and fortified plant-based milk are good sources of calcium that can contribute to better sleep. Vitamin B6: This vitamin aids in the production of melatonin and serotonin, making it a key nutrient for sleep health. Foods rich in B6 include fish, poultry, bananas, and chickpeas. Omega-3 Fatty Acids: Omega-3s, particularly DHA, support sleep by promoting the production of melatonin. These healthy fats are found in fatty fish like salmon, walnuts, and flaxseeds. Foods to Eat for Better Sleep If you’re looking to improve your sleep quality, consider adding the following foods to your evening routine: Almonds: High in magnesium and protein, almonds help regulate blood sugar levels and promote muscle relaxation, which can help you sleep better. Turkey: A well-known source of tryptophan, turkey promotes serotonin production, making you feel calm and ready for bed. Chamomile Tea: Known for its calming properties, chamomile tea contains antioxidants that may reduce anxiety and promote sleep. Kiwi: Studies have shown that eating kiwi before bed may improve both the duration and quality of sleep, possibly due to its high antioxidant content and serotonin-boosting effects. Oatmeal: A bowl of oatmeal provides complex carbohydrates that stimulate the release of serotonin, while also delivering a dose of melatonin, which helps regulate sleep-wake cycles. Foods to Avoid Before Bed Just as certain foods can promote sleep, others can hinder it. If you’re struggling with poor sleep, try to avoid the following foods and drinks in the evening: Caffeine: While caffeine can give you the energy boost you need during the day, consuming it too late can interfere with your ability to fall asleep. Avoid caffeinated drinks like coffee, tea, or soda at least 4-6 hours before bed. Sugary Snacks: Foods high in sugar can cause blood sugar spikes and crashes, making it harder to stay asleep throughout the night. Alcohol: While alcohol may make you feel drowsy initially, it disrupts your sleep cycle, reducing the quality of your rest and making you more likely to wake up in the middle of the night. Heavy Meals: Eating large or rich meals too close to bedtime can cause indigestion and disrupt your sleep. Try to finish your last meal at least 2-3 hours before bed. Mindful Habits for Better Sleep In addition to fitness and nutrition, developing mindful habits can significantly improve your sleep quality. Mindfulness practices can help calm your mind, reduce stress, and prepare your body for rest. 1. Practice a Relaxing Bedtime Routine Creating a consistent, relaxing bedtime routine signals to your body that it’s time to wind down. Some tips for establishing a bedtime routine include: Dim the Lights: Lowering the lighting in your home at least an hour before bed can stimulate melatonin production and help regulate your sleep-wake cycle. Limit Screen Time: The blue light emitted by phones, computers, and televisions suppresses melatonin, making it harder to fall asleep. Try to avoid screens at least 30 minutes before bed. Read or Listen to Music: Instead of scrolling through your phone, engage in a relaxing activity like reading a book or listening to calming music. 2. Meditation and Deep Breathing Mindfulness meditation and deep breathing exercises are excellent tools for promoting relaxation and reducing stress. These practices help activate the parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for slowing down heart rate and preparing the body for sleep. How to Practice: Try spending 5-10 minutes focusing on your breath. Inhale deeply through your nose for four counts, hold for four counts, and then exhale slowly through your mouth for another four counts. This simple exercise can calm your mind and body, making it easier to drift into restful sleep. 3. Progressive Muscle Relaxation Progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) involves tensing and then relaxing each muscle group in your body, from your toes to your head. This technique helps release physical tension and promotes a sense of calm before sleep. How to Practice: Start by tensing the muscles in your feet for 5-10 seconds, then relax them completely. Move up through your body, tensing and relaxing each muscle group. By the time you reach your head, your body will feel more relaxed and ready for rest. 4. Journaling If stress or anxious thoughts are keeping you awake, journaling before bed can be a powerful tool for clearing your mind. Writing down your thoughts, worries, or even a list of things you’re grateful for can help alleviate mental clutter and promote a sense of peace. The Impact of Hormones on Sleep For those dealing with hormonal changes—whether due to menopause, pregnancy, or stress—sleep can be particularly difficult. Hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol all play a role in regulating sleep, and any imbalances can disrupt the sleep cycle. For Women: Hormonal changes during menopause, pregnancy, or the menstrual cycle can cause sleep disturbances such as hot flashes, night sweats, or insomnia. Regular exercise, stress management, and dietary changes (like increasing magnesium intake) can help balance hormones and improve sleep. For Men: Testosterone levels in men decline with age, which can lead to sleep problems. Incorporating regular strength training and ensuring proper nutrition can help support hormone balance and promote better sleep. Conclusion At Newsom Fitness, we believe that better sleep truly leads to a better life. By incorporating fitness, balanced nutrition, and mindful habits into your routine, you can significantly improve the quality of your sleep and, by extension, your overall health and well-being. Whether you're dealing with stress, hormonal changes, or simply looking to optimize your rest, these practices can help you wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day. Remember, sleep is a foundational aspect of health. Prioritize it, and you’ll notice improvements in your physical performance, mental clarity, emotional balance, and overall quality of life. 

Age with Confidence: A Guide to Fitness, Wellness, and Self-Care for Aging Gracefully

December 1, 2024
At Newsom Fitness, we believe aging is about growing stronger and more confident, not slowing down. Aging gracefully means embracing changes with a positive mindset, self-care, and a fitness routine that adapts to your needs. This blog dives into essential fitness tips and wellness practices to help you stay active, healthy, and vibrant at every stage of life. From managing weight and improving bone health to maintaining flexibility and mental clarity, discover how to take charge of your well-being and age with confidence, supported by the guidance and expertise of Newsom Fitness.

The Importance of Breathing While Exercising: Mastering Your Breath for Better Performance

November 24, 2024
At Newsom Fitness, we believe that the simplest things can sometimes have the biggest impact, and this couldn’t be truer when it comes to breathing during exercise. Breathing is an automatic process that we rarely think about. However, during a workout, breathing becomes crucial for maximizing performance and ensuring the body gets the oxygen it needs. Whether you're lifting weights, running, or practicing yoga, breathing properly is essential to help your muscles perform better, recover faster, and prevent injury. This blog will explore the science behind breathing during exercise, different breathing techniques for various activities, and how mastering your breath can make a noticeable difference in your fitness journey. Why Proper Breathing During Exercise is Important Understanding why proper breathing is important begins with knowing what happens inside your body every time you take a breath. Here's a breakdown of the process: Oxygen Intake: Your lungs bring in oxygen with every breath. Circulation: Oxygen is transferred to your bloodstream and circulated to your muscles, organs, and tissues. Energy Production: The oxygen helps convert nutrients into ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which fuels your muscles for movement and exertion. In short, oxygen is your body’s fuel, and during exercise, your muscles need more of it to meet increased energy demands. Breathing efficiently ensures that your muscles get the oxygen they need to function properly, preventing early fatigue and promoting optimal performance. Dr. Corbin Hedt, a physical therapist at Houston Methodist, explains: “When you exercise, your body’s need for oxygen increases because it’s working harder. Proper breathing ensures that enough oxygen reaches your organs and tissues, maintaining high performance levels and reducing the need for your body to overcompensate (hyperventilate) afterward to normalize these systems.” The Consequences of Improper Breathing Improper breathing during exercise can lead to several problems, from decreased performance to potential health risks. Let’s explore some of these consequences: Reduced Workout Performance: If your muscles aren’t getting enough oxygen, they fatigue faster. This can limit your stamina, making it harder to sustain high-intensity exercise or push through challenging workouts. Delayed Muscle Recovery: During exercise, your muscles produce lactic acid as a byproduct of energy production. Without proper oxygenation, lactic acid builds up, leading to muscle soreness and slower recovery times. Health Risks: Improper breathing can result in dizziness, lightheadedness, or even fainting. Those with respiratory or cardiovascular conditions need to be particularly careful, as poor breathing can exacerbate these issues during high-intensity workouts. The Benefits of Proper Breathing When you master the art of breathing during exercise, the benefits extend beyond your workout session. Let’s look at the key advantages of proper breathing: 1. Improved Endurance Proper breathing ensures that your muscles receive a steady supply of oxygen, which allows them to work harder for longer periods. By delaying muscle fatigue, you’ll be able to sustain a higher intensity for a longer duration. Whether you’re running a marathon, cycling, or swimming, breathing properly can help you go the extra mile. 2. Better Mental Focus Breathing plays a crucial role in maintaining mental focus and concentration. When you control your breath, you regulate your heart rate, which helps you stay calm and focused, particularly during high-intensity workouts or competitive sports. A consistent breathing rhythm helps ground you, allowing you to maintain proper form and avoid distractions. 3. Reduced Stress Exercise is a stressor on the body, especially high-intensity workouts. However, controlled, deep breathing can lower cortisol levels (the body’s stress hormone) and engage your parasympathetic nervous system, which helps calm the body and mind. This can reduce the negative impact of stress and help you maintain a more relaxed state, even during challenging exercise. 4. Faster Recovery Proper breathing isn’t just about performance—it’s also about recovery. Deep, efficient breathing helps your body remove waste products like carbon dioxide and lactic acid from your muscles more quickly, which reduces muscle soreness and accelerates recovery so you can be ready for your next workout sooner. 5. Injury Prevention Breathing correctly helps stabilize your core, especially during exercises that require balance and coordination, such as weightlifting. Engaging your diaphragm while breathing deeply can protect your spine and reduce the risk of injury to your lower back, neck, and shoulders. Different Breathing Techniques for Different Exercises Breathing during exercise isn’t one-size-fits-all. The way you breathe depends on the type of activity you’re performing. At Newsom Fitness, we emphasize the importance of adapting your breathing technique to the demands of your workout. Let’s look at some breathing techniques for different types of exercise. 1. Breathing for Cardiovascular Exercises Cardiovascular activities like running, swimming, or cycling require steady, rhythmic breathing to supply your muscles with a continuous flow of oxygen. Shallow, rapid breaths will make you feel out of breath quickly, while deep, controlled breaths will help keep you calm and increase endurance. Diaphragmatic Breathing: Also known as belly breathing, diaphragmatic breathing engages the diaphragm to allow deeper breaths and maximize oxygen intake. This type of breathing is especially helpful for endurance athletes. How to do it: Place one hand on your chest and the other on your belly. Inhale deeply through your nose, allowing your belly to rise as you fill your lungs with air. Exhale slowly through your mouth, feeling your belly contract. Diaphragmatic breathing improves endurance and helps you remain calm during prolonged cardio sessions. Breathing Rhythm for Running: A common breathing rhythm for running is the 2:2 pattern—inhaling for two steps and exhaling for two steps. This rhythmic breathing helps maintain a steady flow of oxygen and prevents overexertion. For high-intensity intervals, you can switch to a 2:1 or 1:1 rhythm to meet your body’s increased oxygen demands. 2. Breathing for Strength Training Proper breathing during strength training is essential for both performance and safety. Holding your breath while lifting weights is a common mistake that can lead to increased blood pressure, dizziness, or even fainting. Exhale on Exertion: One of the most important breathing techniques in strength training is to exhale during the exertion phase—the hardest part of the movement. For example, when performing a squat, exhale as you push up to stand. During a bench press, exhale as you push the bar away from your chest. Inhale on the Release: Inhale during the easier phase of the movement, such as when you’re lowering the weight or returning to the starting position. Valsalva Maneuver (Advanced): This technique is often used by experienced lifters. It involves holding your breath briefly during heavy lifts to stabilize your core and protect your spine. However, this should be used cautiously, as holding your breath too long can elevate blood pressure and cause dizziness. 3. Breathing for Yoga and Pilates Yoga and Pilates focus heavily on mindful breathing, incorporating it into every movement. Controlled breathing in these practices enhances concentration, flexibility, and core strength. Ujjayi Breathing (Yoga): Ujjayi, or “ocean breath,” involves taking deep, steady breaths through the nose while slightly constricting the back of the throat. This creates a soft “ocean” sound that helps regulate your breath and focus during yoga practice. How to do it: Inhale deeply through your nose, filling your lungs completely. As you exhale, keep your mouth closed and constrict your throat slightly to create the ocean-like sound. This technique helps you maintain endurance and a calm mind during yoga sessions. Pilates Breathing: In Pilates, lateral or ribcage breathing is emphasized. This involves expanding the ribs outward while keeping the core muscles engaged, ensuring that your muscles receive oxygen without compromising stability. 4. Breathing for High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) HIIT workouts involve short bursts of intense activity followed by periods of rest or low-intensity recovery. During the high-intensity intervals, your body’s oxygen demand skyrockets, making deep, efficient breaths crucial. Inhale Deeply, Exhale Forcefully: During intense phases of HIIT, focus on taking deep, controlled breaths and exhaling forcefully to expel as much carbon dioxide as possible. This helps prevent early fatigue and maintains performance. Recovery Breathing: During the rest periods, focus on slow, deep breathing to help lower your heart rate and prepare for the next round of intense activity. Common Breathing Mistakes to Avoid At Newsom Fitness, we encourage our clients to be mindful of their breathing during workouts. Here are some common mistakes to avoid: 1. Shallow Breathing Shallow, rapid breaths prevent your lungs from fully expanding and limit oxygen intake. This can cause early fatigue and shortness of breath during workouts. 2. Holding Your Breath Holding your breath during heavy lifts or high-intensity exercise can increase blood pressure and lead to dizziness or fainting. Always exhale during the exertion phase of your movements. 3. Inconsistent Breathing Inconsistent breathing patterns can disrupt your rhythm and make it difficult to maintain intensity during your workout. Establish a consistent pattern that matches the type of exercise you’re performing. 4. Breathing Too Quickly It’s easy to fall into rapid, shallow breaths when pushing yourself during a tough workout, but this can lead to hyperventilation. Focus on taking deep, controlled breaths even when the workout gets intense. Conclusion Breathing is often overlooked in exercise, but it plays a critical role in how well you perform, how quickly you recover, and how you feel overall. At Newsom Fitness, we believe that mastering your breath can elevate your workouts and improve your fitness journey. Whether you're running, lifting weights, or practicing yoga, learning to breathe properly is a simple yet powerful way to optimize your performance and achieve your goals. As Dr. Corbin Hedt puts it, “Our bodies rely on oxygen to function properly, and breathing is how we get that oxygen. During exercise, this becomes even more crucial as our bodies demand more oxygen.” So next time you hit the gym, remember to focus on your breathing. With each controlled breath, you'll be taking a step toward better endurance, improved focus, reduced stress, and faster recovery. Newsom Fitness is here to support you in every breath you take on your fitness journey.
More Posts
Share by: