What breathing technique works for you?

[hot and sp!cy]

Have you given your breathing a thought when riding? Most of us just breathe without thinking but I really think it can improve your energy and stamina, especially on tough climbs or long rides. I breathe through my nose and out through my mouth and it works best for me because while riding coz it's a good balance of taking in enough oxygen without hyperventilating. If you're riding casually, you probably don't need to change anything, but when the effort goes up, try to match your breathing to your pedal strokes for a smooth rhythm

 

[thatguyrex]

Yes, rhythm is everything when pushing hard on the bike. I find the nose-in, mouth-out approach helpful too! It’s also better for filtering dirt and dust while you’re riding, and that steady exhale helps clear carbon dioxide efficiently. I had the habit of holding my breath before but I noticed that only led to arm pump and crashed my energy big time! It's really good to find a consistent breath pattern that matches your cadence, especially on those tough climbs. It makes a huge difference in stamina!