Powerbreathe - training tool or gimmick?

Spins

Anyone used one? Are they any good or just a gimmick?

nortal

I have the red one for about four years, they are good, haven’t used in for a long time, took it out to clean and disinfect at Christmas but still haven't used it.

Advantages - if you are swimming you will notice the effects immediately, e.g. if you had to take a breath every two strokes you now can go four with out needing to breathe. Your breathing is always very regulated no huffing and puffing

Disadvantage - I found that lactic acid was always in my legs if I tried to run after using it, my breathing was fine but just could not get going. I think the body natural system of warming up i.e. knackered at the start until you get into rhythm was more preferable for me - they do work scientific studies have shown this but in my experience for running I found the device to be limited and not very beneficial.

Krusty_Clown

I got the blue one, back in the day when I was transitioning from a smoker to a runner, and had lung capacity issues. I just couldn't get enough oxygen into my system. I'm also an asthmatic, so had a few things stacked against me. I used it for a month or two, morning and night, before my first half marathon and I think it helped a lot. However, I stopped using it since, and my lung capacity is great these days. You probably get the same benefit from doing hill training, or regular exercise with some form of LT or VO2 max sessions. (Non-medical opinion, potentially entirely incorrect).

Stupid_Private

I used it and noticed improvements using it. For example if I was struggling on one level for a while, a few weeks later I'd be fine at it and moving up to the next level. Technically something was stronger from using it. My race times improved but my training also stepped up a notch in that same time, so can't really give the credit to the powerbreathe.

Like most things I got out of the habit of using it and now it just sits in a drawer somewhere. Race times are still improving without it. Some day I'll take it back out of the drawer again....

Diggy78

Going back to Google to see what the hell you guys are talking about!!!!

joeali101

Diggy78 wrote: »

Going back to Google to see what the hell you guys are talking about!!!!

Me too:rolleyes:

RacoonQueen

I got one of the heavy resistance ironman ones just before christmas...but have barely used it due to having two chest colds since.

PainIsTemporary

Bought one when they first came out. The lads I was sharing with at the time were getting worried when all they could hear from my room was me deep breathing using the yoke at different times of the day [Darth Vader comes to mind]. Never got into the hang of using it full time though and haven't used it in years. Hard work, positive attitude and perseverance the key. No gimmicks needed

Spins

Sound like good recommendations to me, gonna get me one during the week as I do have problems with taking sufficient breath in e.g. for the last 2 miles of an 5 mile race e.g. Dungarvan last Sunday.... Thanks all