Jessica: When should I inhale and exhale during crunches or abs?

Megan: The general rule of thumb is to inhale through your nose when you are about to do the lengthening/eccentric part of the exercise. Then you exhale during the shortening/concentric. Sometimes I think of this as inhale during the easier part and exhale during the harder part. Therefore, you would inhale when you lay back on the crunch and exhale as you come up for the crunch. Breathing helps with concentration and making sure you don’t over exert yourself by not breathing or raising the blood pressure too high. 

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