How To Breathe While Doing Pull Ups

Men are doing pull ups in a gym.

Image Credit: IPGGutenbergUKLtd/iStock/Getty Images Anytime you perform an exercise that requires you to exert yourself, such as a pushup or pullup, it is important that you implement proper breathing. In simple terms, proper breathing is breathing in a rhythmic fashion where you always exhale as you exert force. Breathing improperly or erratically while doing pullups, or any other type of exercise, can lead to lots of negative side effects such as hernias, popped blood vessels and dramatic spikes in blood pressure.

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Step 1

Start from a dead-hang position with your arms fully extended and your feet off the ground.

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Step 2

Take a big breath, inhaling to fill your lungs.

Step 3

Exhale as you begin to pull yourself up. Continue exhaling until your chin is above the bar.

Step 4

Inhale a big breath as you lower yourself back down until your arms are almost fully extended again.

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Step 5

Exhale to complete another pullup.

Step 6

Repeat these alternating, coordinated breaths as you raise and lower your body during pullups. Tip If you have to catch your breath, hang from the dead-hang position and a take a few normal breaths before starting again. Warning Stop the exercise if you feel light headed or dizzy.

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  references
  
      ACE Fitness: Pull-ups
    
      Stew Smith: Breathing During Exercise
       




  references
  
      ACE Fitness: Pull-ups
    
      Stew Smith: Breathing During Exercise
    




Men are doing pull ups in a gym.

Image Credit: IPGGutenbergUKLtd/iStock/Getty Images

If you have to catch your breath, hang from the dead-hang position and a take a few normal breaths before starting again.

Stop the exercise if you feel light headed or dizzy.

      ACE Fitness: Pull-ups
    
      Stew Smith: Breathing During Exercise