Customer Reviews
In response to Andrew Baye 
2008-06-07
With all due respect, do you seriously not realize that not all "athletes" know how to breathe diaphragmatically? I am a voice therapist and train people, including athletes, how to breathe on a daily basis. I can tell you from experience that almost everybody (unless trained otherwise) I've worked with does not breathe properly - and yes this includes athletes. This device forces the individual to breathe from the diaphragm. Also, research paradoxical vocal fold dysfunction which is a disorder that is prevalent amongst athletes. Playing the harmonica does not simulate the breath support needed for the power breathe whatsoever. I'm also a singer and instrumentalist. Do you even play an instrument or know anything about breathing? - sure doesn't seem like it! As far as the comment regarding it doesn't restore lung function, also untrue. Diaphragmatic breathing involves muscle memory, which simply means retraining the brain. When an individual's respiratory system has been compromised, bad habits start because the brain doesn't have a checklist for breathing as it does for riding a bike - for example. It just does whatever it takes to breathe - right or wrong. As I stated previously, this device forces the individual to breathe from the diaphragm. When this becomes muscle memory, the individual will start to breath from the diaphragm continuously. Also, the device exercises the muscles (particularly the intercostals) which are no different than any other muscle in your body. They need strengthened as well! I just think you're making claims that you know nothing about!
Powerbreathe heavy resistance 
2008-02-11
I'm a confessed continuous improvement freak. You usually find me trying new apparel, shoes, supplements,training, nutrition, etc., Anything to improve the marathon times of a 52 year old male! So I had nothing to lose by trying Powerbreathe heavy resistance(except $55!). The good news is that I can do 30 reps at level 5 and getting better. The bad news is that I don't notice a difference. I hope it can at least make it to a good placebo!
The manufacturer's specific claims aren't necessarily the only reason to buy this 2007-12-02
Since using the PowerBreathe I have more easily withstood the strain of intense breathing during strength training. Whether or not this has improved my performance directly, it has made it easier to mentally focus and make deeper inroads during a long set--which, in turn, has certainly improved my performance.
The PowerBreathe is inexpensive, unlikely to hurt anyone (as far as I know), and actually kind of fun to use. I wouldn't consider it sure to produce miracles, but I found it an excellent investment.
It made ALL the difference! 2007-07-30
Before buying the Powerbreathe, I had tried for years to run a complete mile. I had been hiking for years and wanted to transition to running but always gave up because the run/walk/run/walk thing just was not satisfying to me. After using Powerbreathe I can now run (still not very fast -- I think I'll always be a "penguin") but I'm training for a marathon and the Powerbreathe is an invaluable part of that training!
Power Breathe of fresh air 2007-01-09
I recommend the Power Breathe for everyone who breathes. As an asthmatic and an athlete it has helped my performance immensely. I will be ready to get the next one soon!
POWERbreathe as advertised 
2006-08-20
The Gaiam Powerbreathe seems to work as advertised. The instruction booklet is clear and it is fairly easy to learn how to use it.
It is too early to say whether or not the Powerbreathe unit has helped my running. Some days, it appears that it has; other days, the reverse is true. But I've only had it for 3 weeks, so I'll keep trying.
Aerobic power...this is the way 2006-08-16
I first tried out the Powerbreathe product during the winter of 2005 as an addition to my winter cycling training with hopes of increasing my aerobic capacity. With a degree in Biology and Anatomy and Physiology, I was a excited to test out the product and see if it really worked. After my 2 week "test period" I was 100% convinced that the product worked. My breathing during race and hard interval training became much easier allowing me to race harder than ever. I use it daily in the car on the way to work. I have the red Heavy Resistance unit and reccommend it to highly conditioned athletes, the blue and green units have less resistance and are better for general conditioning. I am a Pro 1-2 cyclist and I have turned my entire team on to the benefits of Powerbreathe.
This product does the business 2006-05-24
I was very surprised to see a review that says this product doesn't work, but its clear that the reviewer has neither used POWERbreathe, nor understood its claims. POWERbreathe doesn't improve oxygen transport (or claim to), it improves the efficiency of breathing, mechanically and metabolically - go to the website [...] and read the copious research and you'll see that far from being "another worthless exercise gadget", POWERbreathe is one of the few exercise products that is backed by high quality science, published in the best medical and scientific journals.
another worthless gadget 
2006-04-30
Despite the implication of statements in the review by Dr. McConnell (who happens to be the inventor of the product), mechanical efficiency of breathing and gas exchange in the lungs is not the rate limiting factor in athletic performance in individuals with healthy lungs, the rate limiting factor is typically the efficiency of the metabolic processes which occur in the muscles, which this device does nothing for.
It is not the body's ability to get oxygen into the blood that needs to be trained (unless there is some compromise of pulmonary function), but rather how efficiently the skeletal muscles' use the oxygen being delivered to them.
Go ahead and give this item a try if you want, but find out if they offer a money-back guarantee first, because chances are it will do little to improve your performance. You'd have better results simply practing your sport or activity and performing conditioning work specific to your goals.
POWERbreathe works!!!! 2005-10-19
I was turned on to POWERbreathe by a friend in San Diego who was a professional triathlete in the early 90's. Once he told me about it and how he had seen something like it many years ago in Germany, my interests were peaked. I have been using mine for about 9 months and can certainly notice a difference, especially when biking. Like most other Gaiam products I own, this one did not disappoint me.
