Tuesday, February 22, 2011

My breathing machine

I've mentioned it a couple of times before, but I have a horrible lung capacity. Years ago, I tested at about 40% of a normal adult's. I want to concentrate on a couple of physical shortcomings I have this year and lung capacity is a BIG one for BJJ, so I bought a volumetric exerciser. It's a handy, inexpensive little gadget that both measures and helps you increase your lung capacity. Here's a video of my first try...



I didn't record this part, but to get started, you look up the ideal capacity of an adult your gender, height and weight, adjust the slide and go from there, exhaling normally inserting the mouth piece and breathing in with control. As you can see, I hit about 1500/3200 to start, so I'm up to about 47%.

You're supposed to do it about 20 times a day. Between recording and writing this, I've done it about five and I've cracked 1500. The "Rx only" label made me a bit wary, but since I've had a doctor tell me I need to increase my lung capacity, I figure that's good enough an Rx for something whose purchase isn't regulated. Stay tuned for updates...

11 comments:

A.D. McClish said...

Wow, I didn't even know such a thing existed. Let me know how it goes. I have a few friends with asthma.

Liam H Wandi said...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwvoTDoO9Hg more like!

Megan is turning into Killing machine!

Aaron Bair said...

Good Job! I never thought of tracking mine. It has been awhile since I have had it checked.

I might pick one up and start tracking it :P

Megan said...

Thanks Aaron!

divafnk said...

Where did you find directions on how to use it? Just got one, not sure how to use it for exercise. Thanks!

Megan said...

Hi Diva,

Check them out here...

http://www.hudsonrci.com/Products/docs/V5000IFU.pdf

divafnk said...

Ah I see. Thanks!

divafnk said...

I'm SO glad you posted about this. I found my lung capacity is 1300. It should be 2300. No wonder I struggle so much with running at HIIT. Now to improve....

Megan said...

Glad it helped...did you get the exerciser?

jon wilson said...
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Unknown said...
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