how important is correct breathing during exercise? if i dont do it right will the xercise still work? its just hard for me to remember WHEN im supposed to be inhaling/exhaling during certain exercises. just call me Miss very uncoordinated!

breathing techniques can help in certain times of excertion but its not very very important or anything .

breathing techniques does help a lot. it gets the oxygen circulated throughout your body. Remember that oxygen is very important for you body to function. If you don't breathe properly, it's not the worst thing in the world. As long as you are still breathing while you exercise you're ok.. lol.

Although many trainers will tell you to breath during a certain movement, you will be fine as long as you don’t “forcefully” hold your breath during exercise. Imagine closing your airway and trying to force air out. This maneuver is dangerous and will cause a rapid increase in blood pressure as well as many other risk factors. Just remember to breathe arithmetically and you’ll be fine. It is more important to focus on the actual exercise.

From Precision Fitness: "Don’t forget to breath! . Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth at the point of maximum exertion during the exercise. Failure to breathe correctly during heavy weight lifting may cause potentially harmful increases in blood pressure."
http://ncprecisionfitness.com/stengthtraining.htm

From Miami Valley Fitness: "Breathe. Holding your breath while performing heavy loads leads to dizziness, fatigue, and possibly nausea. Just as breathing is vital to life, breathing is vital to the life of your strength-training program. Think of oxygen as your muscle’s fuel. Holding your breath starves the muscles of oxygen-rich blood and can impede your workout. Exhale (through the mouth, 1-2 seconds) when you exert the muscle (positive phase), and inhale through the nose when you release (negative phase, 3-4 seconds). "
http://www.miamivalleyfitness.com/Ar...ing_pumped.htm

From Physician's Fitness Coach:
"Breath Control
Breathing is important during your workout because you need to supply a good deal of oxygen to your muscles and brain.

During Strength Training
It is very important that you breathe correctly when doing your weight lifting exercises, so keep these basic rules of breathing in mind:

1) DO NOT hold your breath!

2) Inhale during the lowering phase

3) Exhale during the lifting phase.


During Cardio Training
Without giving it much conscious thought, most runners breathe in a 2/2 rhythmic ratio. They take two steps as they inhale; they take two more steps as they exhale. While running very slowly, they often breathe in a 3/3 ratio. While running very fast, they might breathe 2/1 or 1/1, but 2/2 is much more common.

Your jaw should be relaxed, your mouth slightly open. The oxygen will come through your nose and mouth to your lungs, to your blood and to your muscles without you needing to give it a lot of thought."
http://guide.physiciansfitnesscoach..../Breathing.htm