How to Breathe Properly During Squats

In this short video, California Strength Head Strength Coach, Ernie Hernandez, explains how we teach our athletes and lifters to breathe during squats and big lifts. You want to take a deep breath using your diaphragm before the lift, which helps to increase intra-abdominal pressure and provide extra support to stabilize the spine and brace your core. This is in contrast to breathing with the abdominals which makes it impossible to breathe and stabilize the spine simultaneously. This will demonstrate why the back squat is one of the best, if not the best core exercises you can use in your program.

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[chanlujock]

This is the single most important weightlifting tip I learnt

[GreeneJPaul]

Finally figured out why I have been collapsing sometimes. Never realized the difference and I would do it right sometimes, other times I woudn't. Can't wait to try this out tomorrow! Thank you

[sinlokemp]

Thank you 👍🏼 now I ain’t feeling dizzy while doing squats!

[paulpump]

I exhale on the way down this is probably why i always shit my pants on the way up.

[Eligoh]

Wow I have been squatting for years and for a long time had to deal with my torso caving in when I would work with heavier weights. This is the first time I have actually seen how to breathe properly during squats. Much gratitude for the video.

[terrencegordon]

Amazing advice ...I thought I had to strengthen my abs hip flexor and ankle mobility to not get back pain ...I can’t believe all I had to do was fix my breathing..thank u, u saved my back

[jackharn]

Yes!! Thank you so Much! I couldn't figure out why I was collapsing on my way up on a squat and I just happened to run into this video, thank you.

[JackgarPrime]

This was a really great tip! I'm brand new to squatting with weight (I've done bodyweight squats for stretching and whatnot, but that's certainly not the same thing) and I'm glad I saw this before I went in to developing bad habits. I figured you'd want to inhale down, exhale up, but the diaphragm vs abdominal breathing was something I hadn't thought about.

[cliintbeastwd]

anyone who has played a sport where agility is taken place has that same problem. it is called a "lateral collateral ligament (LCL) tear." for example, when you make a sharp cut on the basketball court, the ligament suffers a micro-tear. when it heals, there is extra separation between the bones, so when you perform a squat, the clicking noise is your bones basically locking together, then detaching back to the normal region, causing the phenomenal "clicking" sound.

[sergeymelnik]

wow! thank you! When the demonstrator showed the "incorrect" breathing during a squat, i realized that was my EXACT problem! thanks!!!

[rememberDay]

this video is awesome!! thanks so much.


been having knee issues recently. between this and lifting with my hips it's gone.


this tied all the other form now i can continue with my squats and not get injured ty guys


squat form is important above all i thinnk and it has more things to keep in mind that most other exercise, so do lots of body weight sets first to muscle memory the proper form

[denniperez]

So u inhale on the way down and exhale on the way up?

[watchr]

Excellent!!! How do you breathe during Deadlifts? Appreciate it guys and girls

[batiittos]

I love back squats, the technique just comes so natural.

[ButterflyDragon]

Thanks for this video. I've always had a problem with proper breathing while doing squats and this has been a great help!

[RandomPoolGuy]

Thank you so much! I haven't been able to do squats and dead lifts since high school. I suffered a back knee injury, and I've lost enough weight to where I can begin lifting again. My squats are incredibly weak. I thought I could begin at 225lbs, but I could barely do 3 sets of 3 at 185lbs. Yesterday, I lifted 3 sets of 10 at 155lbs, and noticed that my body was falling forward during the second set. This video helped me be more conscious of my breaking and keep everything tightened up during the lift. Thank you. I'll continue to get stronger.

[ROSSNEWHAM]

Great video - everyone should watch this. lifters. Anyone that wants to get strong

[tongancrypto]

Broooo, you’re the best!
THIS WORKS!
Finally zero dizziness. 😎🤜🤛😉

[heatherbartholomew]

I have been powerlifting for a year this month and I have not been able to do any lifting for a week and a half due to severe headaches mostly from bench press! I think it has to do with me breathing into my chest! I did bodyweight squats and practices this and I noticed when I breathe into my chest like I have been I have more pressure in my neck and head 😠 I will def have to practice....it is one of those things I just never thought about and neglected!

[philmoufarrege]

Great video. I'm a singer and I think breathing technique may be the same. we focus on diaphramatic breathing but also when we inhale down low we want the ribcage to expand and keep it expanded so that we can release the breath much longer (much longer exhale) it lets us sing higher and with more power. is this similar?