There are a number of devices currently on the market that can be used to train the respiratory muscles, with the range of available options seemingly growing by the day.
These devices create resistance when breathing to strengthen and train the muscles of the respiratory system.
During inhalation, the diaphragm and intercostal muscles work to fill the lungs, then on exhalation the muscles contract to expel air.
This can be used for purposes including fitness, sports, greater quality of life, the treatment of conditions like COPD and cystic fibrosis, as well as a host of other things.
The Expand – A – Lung provides resistance for both inhalation and exhalation, claiming it allows it to improve the strength of the muscles throughout the entire breathing process.
Does the Expand – A – Lung really accomplish everything it claims or separate itself from the other options on the market though? Well, in the following Expand – A – Lung review, that is exactly what we are going to find out.
Expand – A – Lung Specs And Features
Expand – A – Lung is a respiratory muscle trainer with a mouthpiece made from lightweight, flexible, medical grade silicone and a body constructed of heavy duty plastic.
It is designed to be completely rust free and includes a five year unlimited warranty on all parts and labour.
The device works by targeting and developing the respiratory muscles, such as the diaphragm and intercostals.
This helps to open the airways and clear any obstructions which have occurred as a result of factors such as aging, smoking, pollution, illness, and poor physical conditioning.
The simple and easy to use design allows you to control all levels of resistance by simply opening or closing the adjustable resistance valve.
It boasts one of the highest ranges of resistance settings available, which makes it a great option for users of all abilities.
The lowest resistance setting can be used by respiratory rehab patients or beginners to produce immediate benefits. They can then gradually increase to the higher resistance levels, which are also suitable for competitive athletes.
At just four inches tall, Expand – A – Lung is incredibly compact and easy to store, so is perfect to keep with you and use on the go.
With a recommended retail price of just $24.99, it is also extremely affordable, making it suitable for users of all budgets.
Pros
- Extremely affordable
- 5 year warranty
- Largest range of resistance levels available
- Compact for easy storage and transport
- Suitable for users of all abilities
Cons
- Uses a type of resistance that some claim isn’t the most effective
User Reviews:
Expand – A – Lung Exercises
The breathing exercises you perform on the Expand – A – Lung are designed around the slow, relaxed style of breathing commonly used in tai chi or yoga.
They all feature slow, continuous flowing breathing against a resistance, to exercise and cleanse your lungs.
Other benefits of this sort of respiratory exercise include relaxation, improved breathing technique, remaining free from obstructions, and having stronger respiratory muscles.
The exercises can be performed each day and it is recommended you perform them on a consistent basis in order to produce the best results.
Beginners are also recommended to perform a warmup routine before each session, to prepare the lungs for the work they are about to do.
Performing the exercises prior to a meal is considered the optimal time, however it is also recommended that athletes complete an additional session immediately prior to any sports, exercises, or strenuous physical activities they are involved in.
Expand – A – Lung Exercise Instructions
To use your Expand – A – Lung you first want to make sure that the mouthpiece is clean.
You will then proceed to place it in your mouth with the side labelled “top” facing up and secure it in place with your teeth and lips.
Start to breathe in and out while adjusting the resistance by turning the valve left for increased resistance or right for decreased resistance.
To find the option most suitable to your current ability level you want to select a setting that provides enough resistance to be challenging without being uncomfortable.
Once you have prepared the device with your desired settings, slowly inhale through the Expand – A – Lung as deeply as possible until you can’t inhale any further.
Hold this in for two to four seconds before slowly exhaling through the mouthpiece until your lungs are almost empty.
Repeating the paragraph above ten times constitutes one set, and you want to be aiming to complete between two to four sets per day. If required, you can remove the mouthpiece and breathe normally between sets or reps if you need to catch your breath.
Expand – A – Lung vs Powerlung
Expand – A – Lung and Powerlung are two very similar respiratory training devices that are frequently compared to one another.
Both aim to achieve the same or similar goals and provide resistance on inhalation and exhalation.
While Powerlung uses threshold resistance, Expand – A – Lung uses restrictive resistance. Despite the fact that there are some arguments claiming threshold resistance is more beneficial, this is up for debate, and both seem to provide comparable results.
The other main difference between the two is that Powerlung offers a number of different models for different purposes, with each model having a different range of resistance. This means there is greater control for people of differing ability levels, as well as more room for progression.
Powerlung is also far more expensive at $120.00 than the recommended retail price of $24.99 attached to the Expand – A – Lung.
So, for those seeking a greater level of control or who particularly want to use threshold resistance, Powerlung may be the better option.
However, for everyone else, I would recommend Expand – A – Lung.
Expand – A – Lung Alternatives
As great as the Expand – A – Lung breathing device may be, it won’t be suitable for everyone for one reason or another.
With a product such as this, it is essential to find the option that best meets your personal needs if you are going to achieve maximum benefits from it.
Thankfully, there are many great respiratory training devices available for you to choose from.
We will now take a look at some of the most popular alternatives to the Expand – A – Lung, to ensure you get your decision spot on.
1. The Breather
The Breather sells itself as the only respiratory muscle training device which allows you to train both inspiratory and expiratory muscles independently of one another.
By simply twisting a dial you can adjust the device to help focus on either your inhalation or exhalation.
The Breather is a perfect accompaniment for anyone undergoing respiratory treatment, as it improves lung strength and capacity by improving the flow of oxygen and its uptake to vital organs.
Quick and easy to use, you can make use of the benefits of The Breather no matter how little time you have.
It is also suitable for users of all ages and abilities, including children, adults, the elderly, professional athletes and singers, and even smokers or those with lung conditions.
The dedicated mobile app is packed with features to help you make the most of your purchase, such as online training videos and monthly webinars with medical professionals, who can answer all of your questions. It also helps to track all of your progress, so you can see exactly how far you have come.
With a recommended retail price of just $49.95 it is also one of the cheaper options on the market, making it suitable for people of all budgets.
Pros
- Extremely affordable
- Dedicated app provides training videos, progress tracking, and access to medical professionals
- Suitable for people of all ages and abilities
- Can be easily swapped between focusing on inhalation and exhalation
Cons
- No money back guarantee
User Reviews:
For Drug-Free Respiratory Therapy
- Your new Breather device with 6 inspiratory and 5 expiratory settings.
- Including an original comfort mouthpiece and a 15mm to 22mm adapter.
- The Breather uses the power of your breath.
2. AirPhysio Sports Edition
The AirPhysio Sports Edition is an expiratory breathing trainer specifically designed for professional performance athletes and amateur sporting elites to achieve the minimal improvements that are available when you are already close to your peak.
These improvements may seem small but can be the difference between winning and losing and can even allow you to set new personal records.
The AirPhysio Sports Edition works by increasing O2 and CO2 gas transfer, which will improve the power of your lungs and expand their capacity.
This will help to improve exercise performance and endurance, while reducing recovery time.
Sessions as short as five minutes have been proven to provide notable differences. You can also use the device whenever is convenient, however consistent use is required in order to achieve optimal results.
With a recommended retail price of $69.97, it is also attainable for the majority of people, no matter their budget.
Pros
- Affordable
- Capable of providing improvements for elite athletes
- Increases gas transfer to expand the lungs and improve their power
Cons
- Focuses solely on expiration
- Not appropriate for less conditioned athletes
- Uses Oscillating Positive Expiratory Pressure (OPEP)
- Used for respiratory training
- Also used for alleviating symptoms of Asthma, Atelectasis, Bronchiectasis, Emphysema, COPD, Chronic Bronchitis, and many more
3. Airofit Pro
The Airofit Pro is a breathing exerciser that works together with its dedicated, interactive mobile App to coach you to achieving the full potential of your respiratory system.
The live guidance and feedback ensure exercises are performed correctly, while also tracking your progress along the way.
The Airofit Pro respiratory trainer is fully customisable to your age, gender, size, and physical abilities, while also providing programs tailored specifically to your personal needs.
Its compact nature also means you can take it with you and train exactly when and where you want.
The manufacturers advertise it as “more of a dumbbell for your breathing problems than a breathing exerciser” and it can be used to exercise or cleanse your lungs, as well as treat asthma and provide respiratory therapy. That said, Airofit Pro is designed to be used separately from physical activity.
As little as 5 to 10 minutes of daily training with the Airofit Pro has been proven to increase lung capacity significantly, with most users seeing improvements in as little as one to two weeks.
This allows users to make the most of a range of benefits, such increased energy levels, decreased stress, and improved exercise performance.
It also provides the perfect opportunity for the Airofit Pro to prove its worth when combined with its 45 day money back guarantee.
This is particularly important for a product with a recommended retail price of $377.95.
Pros
- Results can be achieved in as little as one to two weeks
- 45 day money back guarantee
- Can be used to treat asthma, exercise and cleanse your lungs, and provide respiratory therapy
- Dedicated app provides personalised coaching and tracks your progress
Cons
- Very expensive
Includes:
- Airofit Breathing Trainer
- Virtual Breathing Coach in an interactive mobile app,
- Allows you to train your Respiratory Strength, Accessible Lung Capacity, Anaerobic Threshold, and other areas of your breathing.
4. O2 Trainer
Designed by legendary mixed martial artist Bas Rutten, the O2 Trainer is a lightweight breathing device which aims to increase inspiratory muscle endurance by regulating air intake and improving muscle oxygen efficiency during exercise.
The O2 Trainer controls air intake into the lungs and shifts the control of your breathing to your diaphragm, improving the amount of oxygen you receive.
As red blood cell concentration improves, maximum cardiac output increases, and the volume of air ventilation in the muscles is elevated.
By performing as little as 30 reps, which takes less than four minutes, the O2 Trainer will strengthen your lungs, as well as the breathing muscles in your upper abs.
Training your breathing in this way will provide notable improvements in exercise performance, as well as offer various benefits to your everyday life.
The trainer itself, as well as all the inserts, have been designed to fit in an easy to pack portable kit, so you can take the O2 Trainer with you on the go.
A recommended retail price of $54.95 may not be cheap but is still affordable, while the 30 day, no questions asked, money back guarantee makes it a risk free purchase.
Pros
- Reasonably affordable
- Compact and lightweight
- Enhances exercise performance
- Provides benefits for your health and wellbeing
Cons
- Some complaints about the lifespan and durability of the product
User Reviews:
Don't let the simplicity fool you, this device works wonders! Engineered to increase inspiratory (inhalation) muscle endurance, the portable O2 Trainer can be used while doing nearly any exercise.
- 10 different size caps for training
- Compact, convenient, safe for you, and for the environment
Benefits Of Healthy Respiratory Muscles
The benefits of healthy respiratory muscles range far beyond simply improving exercise performance.
They can also improve your health, quality of life, and wellbeing, as well as help with the symptoms of certain lung conditions, such as COPD and cystic fibrosis.
Among the noted benefits of having healthy respiratory muscles are better and more comfortable breathing, improved endurance, increased lung capacity, and the reduction of obstructions and mucus from the airways.
Final Thoughts
The Expand – A – Lung is one of the best respiratory muscle training devices on the market, as it combines one of the greatest ranges of resistance with one of the lowest price tags.
While it may not be the preferred choice for everybody, as there are a number of wonderful alternatives on the market, I would highly recommend the Expand – A – Lung for anyone who is looking for this type of product and doesn’t have their heart set on a particular model.
So, for anyone who is looking to make the most of the benefits of strong and healthy respiratory muscles, why not take the plunge and give the Expand – A – Lung a try for yourself today to see what it can offer.