PowerLung

[silversurfer_27]

Does anybody have any thoughts on the powerlung and whether it's worth it or not?

[joshdupre]

Do a search on powerlung up at the top right you will find a bunch of information on it. I know I posted a tread on it a few months ago and I got a bunch of good information on it.

[Illmaxic]

i got the powerlung. it works great. except i didn't buy it in a store, i wasn't born with it. I earned it. from spending countless hours and many months in and under the water holding my breath. practice makes perfect. no need for these fancy devices, it's mind over matter, of course training and the practice helps make the mind conquer the matter easier. but it all comes with practice. live in the water my son.

[Neumeister]

I'd reccomend getting it if you have the money. It definitely helps with that out of breath feeling you get when exercising. If your a poor guy like myself you can always use the old fashioned breathing through a straw method. When you can breath through a coffee straw 1 min in, 1 min out for 10 minutes you've made great progress and your VO2 max will be skyrocketed.

[deadly nedly]

that's cool. You can also try the old fashioned VO2 max exercise: wind sprints. Personally I think anything besides a pool and a chinup bar is making things more complicated than they need to be. The only exception in my opinion would be crossfit, but if you don't have a coach or don't already know the olympic lifts, I'd just follow the warning order. Keep it simple, don't get too caught up worrying about all this stuff. Just train hard, no matter what you do, bud/s and afterwards is going to be a big kick in the nuts. Just accept it, which won't be hard if your mind is actually made up that this is the line of work you want to be in.

[rsctt83]

I personally think that the Power Lung is very useful training device for any activity that invloves any degree of hypoxia, such as high altitude work and swimming underwater just to name a few.

I spend a lot of time training and wind up doing lots of two a days {running in morning and Cross Fit later in day}. My emphasis is on long distance running {which takes time} and I never seem to make it to track to do speed work {run out of time and energy}. What I love about the Power Lung is I that I can sort of mimic some of the effects of track work {being in anerobic state} while sitting on my couch watching TV using the Power Lung.

It has enabled me to throw in another short workout while sitting at home.

[bud/s sucks]

i got the powerlung. it works great. except i didn't buy it in a store, i wasn't born with it. I earned it. from spending countless hours and many months in and under the water holding my breath. practice makes perfect. no need for these fancy devices, it's mind over matter, of course training and the practice helps make the mind conquer the matter easier. but it all comes with practice. live in the water my son.

He speaks the truth.

A simple month of training (go to the CTT on saturdays for the lessons) gave me all I needed to make it through pool comp, which happened to be a 2:09 best breath hold. If you continue your training after pool comp instead of smoking again like I did, you can EASILY get a 3-4 min hold before second phase is over.

[muttonhead]

I practice swimming laps underwater without comming up for air, but I'm afraid that if I push myself too far, I'll black-out. Then I'll die unless someone is watching because I'll run out of air, sink to the bottom, and drown.

[toziongoesi69]

Except you dont need a powerlung to do it while watching tv...Just hold your breath during the commercials and see how long you can last...I learned that from the spearfishing board that i used...A lot safer then the whole water thing also if you black out your on land.

[bigv123]

I bought one last month and it's made a noticeable and significant difference in ALL of my physical activities. Running, swimming, weight training, calisthenics you name it.

And I assure you, holding your breath is completely different than what this device does. The PowerLung actually provides resistance training to the muscles that control your breathing as well as helping to increase your VO2 max. I strongly recommend it.

V

[muttonhead]

I bought one last month and it's made a noticeable and significant difference in ALL of my physical activities. Running, swimming, weight training, calisthenics you name it.

And I assure you, holding your breath is completely different than what this device does. The PowerLung actually provides resistance training to the muscles that control your breathing as well as helping to increase your VO2 max. I strongly recommend it.

V

Isn't it the same as breathing through a coffee stirer after you run?

[wnbfpro24]

Hev V, what are your settings currently
on the powerlung?

[bigv123]

2.5 inhale, 3.75 exhale

[rsctt83]

I have been hitting it very hard with training but like everyone else I am faced with time constraints. The Power Lung lets me simulate speed work on track at least from respiratory point of view while I am sitting at home watching the little ones.

I agree, I think it is valuable tool.

[bigv123]

/agree

It's by NO means a replacement for getting out there and doing your roadwork. I like to think of it as an additional tool that helps me get to where I need to be faster than just doing the running and swimming alone.

You've heard of the axiom: "work smarter not harder"? Well, that's BS. Work harder AND smarter is my motto!!

V

[wnbfpro24]

You don't have the sport model do you?

[rsctt83]

I have the sport model. I did not mean to infer this was a substitute, rather it allows me to add another training session while I am lounging around at home.

I think it is well worth the investment.

[Neumeister]

I had a guy once tell me he would run while doing the powerlung on its lowest setting. Got him down to like a 7:30 1.5 miles.

[bigv123]

I've thought about this as well. But, I remember reading somewhere, perhaps the product use information sheet, that it's not recommended you do this. Perhaps some low intensity testing is in order...I'll set something up and report back.

V

[luddle]

I bought it, being very skeptical, and have been using it for a week now. For example, when I would play football with the freshmen class, I would be the running back. Every 3-4 plays sprinting, I would be dying from shortness of breath. I guess I have that hypoxia. Just playing again this friday after using the powerlung for a week, I was amazed at how well I could run without losing by breath.

So i do believe this is well worth it. I will post my new results in about a week.

[p brown]

I don't own a Powerlung, so I'm not sure how they are engenieered. Could a poor man's powerlung be easily made?

How about a short length of pvc, maybe with a scuba regulator mouth piece attached? Put a cap with a small hole on the end. Maybe have several caps with progressively smaller holes, so you can ease into it.

Just an idea, cheaper than the real thing, and maybe a bit better than the coffee straw.



I believe a person should make every effort to be better/stronger/faster. Sure, having only a pool and a pull-up bar works, but if there is another piece of equipment out there that will help me out, I'm going to try it.

The difference between life and death could be measured in centimeters and milliseconds, why not try to gain the edge?

Patrick

[danodec]

I don't own a Powerlung, so I'm not sure how they are engenieered. Could a poor man's powerlung be easily made?

How about a short length of pvc, maybe with a scuba regulator mouth piece attached? Put a cap with a small hole on the end. Maybe have several caps with progressively smaller holes, so you can ease into it.

Just an idea, cheaper than the real thing, and maybe a bit better than the coffee straw.



I believe a person should make every effort to be better/stronger/faster. Sure, having only a pool and a pull-up bar works, but if there is another piece of equipment out there that will help me out, I'm going to try it.

The difference between life and death could be measured in centimeters and milliseconds, why not try to gain the edge?

Patrick

Hey P Brown,
I just got a PowerLung last week and I'm not sure of exactly how it works, but the thing about it is breathing doesn't feel like I'm sucking air through little holes. It feels more like I have to breath harder, but the volume of air coming in is the same.

To me it really feels like lifting weights with your lungs--As if there's 100 lbs attached to the end of the air I'm breathing, and I have to lift it towards me (by breathing in) and push it away (by breathing out). Breathing out is even harder! I hope this makes sense, it is difficult for me to explain, but I don't think a "PowerLung" could easily be made and give the same sensation.

[Neumeister]

I've been using the powerlung for a couple months now. I can't do a 50m underwater swim, but I can hold my breath for over 2 minutes. I can't run a 1.5mi in sub 9 minutes, but my legs always tire out before I get out of breath. Lastly, when I do the The NavySEAL.com crossfit workouts, I only have to pause to try and clear muscle fatigue never because I'm too out of breath. The Powerlung Sport has without a doubt increased by VO2 Max Capacity. I would suggest it to anyone looking to go to BUD/S.

[AEDaniel]

I started using this thing last week and i can already tell a major difference. I agree with Neumeisters comment. My legs will go out before i get winded, especially during sprints. Try doing the sets while laying on your back. It seems to work it a little more. Definitely worth the investment!

[luddle]

We had a NJROTC comp in Colorado Springs which included a PT section. The city is a minimum of 2000 ft higher then my town so none of us are used to it. I have to admit, the powerlung did indeed help in the higher elevation.

[arwoolery]

i am considering buying a powerlung but i am having a hard time coughing up the 90 dollars. is it truley worth it? i can run 1.5 miles but i get out of breath and just feel like laying down when i get done....lol but seriously i feel like if i had more air i could run at least twice that far. so is it truely worth it also what model is the best? i am a firefighter andi know the power lung sport says that it is goof for firefighters but the other ones are cheaper...lol anyway thanks for any input

[rsctt83]

arwoolery

The training can be accomplished in a variety of ways one of which is using the Power Lung device. The other methods require no equipment, you can do hypoxia training by running up hills and/or increasing your strokes while swimming in between breathing. The thing that I love about Power Lung is that I can do all my training during the day/evening and than when I am done and just watching TV use the Power Lung to get additional respiratory work.

I would say that if you are serious about training than get the device that works rather than trying to save a few dollars.

Also, if you want to improve your running ability that best way is to go out there and RUN. Increase your distance and decrease intensity and than throw in some speed work at track.

[arwoolery]

thanks yeah i believe i am going to get one just for the simpe fact that you stated after i get done working out i can use for a extra tool when i am sitting there being a couch potatoe...thanks for the info

[arwoolery]

alright i got my powerlung active model and i have a question i was just wondering it is sat on the lowest level right now 1 and 1 which is apparently where i need to start off. i am following the reccommended use for the first month o 3 sets of 10 breaths twice a day and it seems like on the second and third set that i get to breath 9 and i go to exhale and i can't do it right...lol has anyone else experienced this?

[AEDaniel]

Yea man, i experienced the same thing. You can lay on the ground during your sets to help relax the muscles used. It just takes a little while to move up. And when you do just move it a little (1/8 to 1/4 turn)

[monkeytrap]

I just got my 2nd Powerlung in today and I plan to start using it tomorrow after my track meet. The first one I got was defective, but this new one seems to be working fine. I've watched the dvd and toyed around with it. In my worthless opinion, it seems like a legitimate device that'll give you a much better respiratory workout than sucking air threw a straw.

I'll post back here after my next track meet and report if I've seen any noticeable differences. Until then :)

[dolph ferg]

I got mine in today! I can't wait to start using it. From, what I've read, this thing is going to be an awesome addition to running and swimming.

[searles72]

I got mine in today! I can't wait to start using it. From, what I've read, this thing is going to be an awesome addition to running and swimming.

Ive had mine for a couple weeks now, they work great!

[gmt-nyc]

I've had the powerlung for about three weeks now, and feel like it has strengthened muscles used in breathing, and that I do not find myself gasping for air even when doing sprint or hill intervals. My breathing tends to be much more controlled. I started at 1/1 settings, and am now about 2.25 inhale/1.5 exhale.

I have attempted to move the settings higher and have been able to breathe through the device properly; however, on occasion in the middle of a set suddenly the resistance changes and it feels as if something is obstructing the airpassage within the device. I then need to break the set to reduce the settings even though literally the rep before inhale/exhale was fine. This usually happens after a very powerful inhale or exhale. I'm thinking my powerlung is defective, but wanted to see if anyone else has had this experience.

Overall, I think its worthwhile to have in the training arsenal.

[Neumeister]

I've had the powerlung for about three weeks now, and feel like it has strengthened muscles used in breathing, and that I do not find myself gasping for air even when doing sprint or hill intervals. My breathing tends to be much more controlled. I started at 1/1 settings, and am now about 2.25 inhale/1.5 exhale.

I have attempted to move the settings higher and have been able to breathe through the device properly; however, on occasion in the middle of a set suddenly the resistance changes and it feels as if something is obstructing the airpassage within the device. I then need to break the set to reduce the settings even though literally the rep before inhale/exhale was fine. This usually happens after a very powerful inhale or exhale. I'm thinking my powerlung is defective, but wanted to see if anyone else has had this experience.

Overall, I think its worthwhile to have in the training arsenal.

This has happened to me also, it's not defective. Believe it or not you are actually on too high of a setting if that happens.