how to breath while doing crunches?

[flik221]

i seem to hold my breath when i hold my crunches and well...it starts to give me a headache at times. when i try to inhale or exhale i lose the mental focus of working out the abs in the middle of the crunch, i cant really explain but when youre crunching you try to just push your abs as hard as you can...thats what i mean i can only seem to do that when im holding my breath. i cant inhale or exhale or it doesnt feel like a full crunch...and that brings me to my headaches and red-faceness.
am i just trying too hard?

[NatsuGaijin]

I dont think you are trying too hard, because its pretty common not to breath when you are WORKING hard- but it still isnt a good thing- as you said headaches occur. Dizzyness too for me.

When I was had a gym membership- I had my personal trainer and he always noticed I held my breath doing situps/crunches- So he just told me to breath.

So everytime you complete one crunch take in a deep breath? Maybe that will help.

[Lobo]

You breath as you would for any resistance exercise.

[karategirl11]

in through your nose out through your mouth. breathe out when you are going against gravity; breathe in when you are going with gravity in any exercise.

EDIT: You may be focusing too hard on doing the crunch. Work on breathing by itself for a minute or two. Then try breathing while doing a crunch slowly (don't worry about if you are doing the crunch wrong). It takes practice to breathe properly for some people. I used to have this breathing problem A LOT! Take your time and practice breathing while doing the crunch or any other activity for that matter. You'll be able to breathe properly effortlessly and concentrate on your exercise if you practice.

[jackenloper]

yea man, you can still keep tension on your abs while breathing. Just flex them hard and don't let go of the flex while doing abs. I usually get tired this way at about 15 reps.