Hi! I’ve been using it successfully for almost 10 years! I use it 3-4 times a week, 3x 30 slow breaths.
The improvement isn’t quantifiable, but in all-out races like sprints and Olympics, I breathe easily, especially when swimming.
That’s interesting using it consistently for almost 10 years is impressive. It sounds like the biggest benefit you noticed was during high-intensity efforts like sprinting and swimming. Did you mainly use it as part of your regular training routine, or did you increase usage during specific periods like race preparation?
Hi,
I use the Isocapnic BWB and I have used it with clients (athletic and non-athletic) to address respiratory limitations. Prior to that I used the Spirotiger, which is substantially more costly. Essentially, it’s like strength training, motor learning and/or endurance training for the respiratory muscles.
I think the “success” of the device depends on the goal. So, assessment is crucial. For example, some people may have limited FVC or FEV1 relative to norm so the goal would be to increase volume. I saw that with an older client post-Covid. On the other hand, maybe the individual has the structural volume but isn’t able to “use it” during exercise. In this case I see a low relative tidal volume (e.g. using 2L with a capacity of 4L) so we use the device to work on it. Another common scenario is when folks hit VT2, volume or efficiency of breathing drops off. In this case, it’s with the high frequency of breathing. So, you could use the device to train the desired volume at the given frequency. There are more direct training strategies, like using it in the “rest” portion of interval training or to simulate altitude (stick on a pulse monitor).
Like the Spirotiger, I liked the Isocapnic device over the other devices because you can train different functions and do a full workout (it manages the CO2 so you don’t get lightheaded). For example, some are resistive devices only or you can only do a short spurt.
Cheers,
J
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