When should you breathe during resistance training?

[sidfahad]

I often find myself holding my breath because I feel weaker when I try to breathe. I've heard that holding your breath can be dangerous, but I've also read that it's okay when lifting lighter weights. I haven't had any issues so far. For lifting heavier weights, when should you breathe? I don't really understand what "eccentric" and "concentric" mean. Can someone please help me understand?

 

[robertwilson009]

It depends on the exercise, but usually, you should breathe when you're at the top of the lift, like when you're standing up straight in a squat or when your arms are fully extended in a bench press. You can also breathe when you're not bearing weight, like when the bar is on the floor between deadlifts.

 

[davisj3537]

The advice from physical therapists and others not to hold your breath during exercise does not apply when lifting heavy weights. Holding your breath to brace is critical for preventing injuries and other issues during heavy lifting.

 

[deppjonny9]

Personally, I exhale when lifting the weight and inhale when resetting. For example, when bench pressing, I inhale while lowering the weight and exhale while pressing it back up. For deadlifts, I exhale while lifting the weight up and inhale while lowering it down.