Asthma While Exercising - Breathe Correctly While Working Out

The days when doctors would advise Asthmatics not to exercise in order to avoid an asthma attack are long gone. Asthmatics no longer need fear activity and can excel at exercise and sport like never before. In fact Doctors are now encouraging this population to get more active progressing slowly at a safe pace.

There are several types of Asthma such as Chronic, Bronchial, Allergy mediated and Exercise Induced or combos of any or all of these. In most cases you will find people have combinations of 2 or more of these. Asthmatics usually carry a rescue inhaler known as Ventolin but sometimes have other names from generic brands to other brands.

There are also medications used to maintain asthma which treat the disease to avoid attacks so that the rescue inhalers are used less. It was once thought that exercise was bad for Asthma as it would usually set off an attack and most of these people were inactive already. Once the asthmatic can break through these attacks by taking the rescue inhaler pre exercise, they eventually get fit enough to avoid attacks and maybe even not have to use the rescue inhaler pre exercise. The key is to be able to get started, then the healing begins.

Exercise, especially cardio, will help condition the lungs to take oxygen more efficiently and help with proper breathing pattern. As the body adjusts to the exercise the attacks are minimized. Unfortunately other things can set off an attack at the gym such as perfume scents or cleaning sprays used to clean the equipment from sweat. Air conditioning and negative stress can also set off attacks.

An Asthmatic adding exercise to their life is an excellent way toward managing the disease.
Other keys to exercising with Asthma are moderation. Asthmatics should not speed through the workout but in actual fact should keep a nice even pace taking time to stretch and rest until you are better accustomed to working out and not getting attacks.

Chest exercises such as fly's, pec dec, cable cross and pullovers are excellent to help open up the rib cage and chest cavity which is especially useful to an Asthmatic. Start with 10-20 reps, a set or 2 to begin then you can slowly increase weight and adjust your sets and reps according to your new goals.

Stretching the pec attachment is also useful to keep the chest cavity open for optimal breathing.

Yoga is a breath based exercise and focuses on opening up your breath and focusing on deep abdominal, diaphragm breath so this is an excellent addition to add to your exercise program. I also feel original Pilates is great since it was originally crafted based bettering health by fighting diseases. Opening up oxygen travel through the body and core strength are the basis for Pilates.

Tai Chi, an energy based exercise although very passive is another useful exercise to aid in the treatment of Asthma.

There are many choices available to help keep Asthmatics active and healthy with exercises varying from passive to ballistic catering to a wide variety of tastes and needs.

By Linda Cusmano