A recent email I had with Mike Anderson, a Boston-area trainer, touched on the fitness industry’s current obsession with breathing patterns. Mike has written a few guest posts on this site, and his perspective is worth considering. In his email, he laid out the core questions people wrestle with when it comes to breathing patterns: what exactly does it mean, how do we assess it, what should we be looking at, and how does diaphragmatic breathing factor into overall performance and symmetry? He noted that many people don’t breathe well and could benefit from using the diaphragm more efficiently. He also pointed out that even though breathing can be part of understanding movement and symmetry, true symmetry may be elusive because the human body is inherently asymmetrical, and breathing is only one piece of the puzzle. He referenced the PRI (Postural Restoration Institute) approach, which aims to improve breathing efficiency and, along with corrective methods, help bring people into a more balanced state. The idea is that, over time and with proper programming, better breathing can improve performance on and off the field and in the gym. He also tossed in terms like the Zone of Apposition and Apical expansion, and admitted some of the terminology can feel overwhelming at first.
Mike asked a broader question as well: why has this become such a big deal all of a sudden? People have been strong and healthy without obsessing over breathing patterns for a long time. He compared it to mobility and soft-tissue work—changes in how someone feels and moves are often obvious—but wondered where breathing-focused work fits into a strength and conditioning role. If aligning diaphragmatic rhythm with scapulothoracic rhythm could unlock a 40-inch vertical, a 10.2-second 100-yard dash, or a 585-pound deadlift, he’d be all for it. But for now, his priority remains making people stronger, faster, and healthier.
My reply echoed his sentiment but with more caution. I think the breathing topic is powerful and has real potential, but it’s getting a bit out of hand. It isn’t that it isn’t worth exploring; it’s that many people are overstepping their bounds. When I first moved to Boston, I watched trainers lug Kendall’s Muscles: Testing and Function around the gym as a supposed quick fix or diagnosis tool. That kind of approach is unacceptable—it’s not a trainer’s job to diagnose like a clinician. Reading a book doesn’t equip a trainer to diagnose or treat, and some who dive into PRI literature start assessing breathing and end up acting like they perform medical procedures. It’s not just arrogant; it’s a real risk.
That said, I do think examining breathing patterns has value for many clients. The key is to keep it in perspective and not overdo it. At Cressey Performance, we’re fans of PRI, and we’ve sent staff to several seminars. We’ve also hosted PRI practitioners for in-services to learn how to incorporate select elements with our clients. The takeaway is simple: we use a small set of drills—about six to seven in total, not all at once. Mike Robertson’s Warm-Up piece is a good reminder: spend a couple of minutes on breathing work, then move on.
We apply a similar approach with our athletes: a few targeted breathing drills during the warm-up, then we shift to the dynamic warm-up and get into the heavy lifting. The important point is that giving people a real training effect matters just as much—if not more—than chasing every new breathing cue. It’s essential to respect scope of practice and avoid losing sight of actually building strength and performance.
What are your thoughts? Do you agree or disagree?
For those looking for practical material, the Muscle Imbalances Revealed series offers a collection of webinars from well-known industry names. The organizer, Rick Kaselj, has put the entire package on sale for a limited time. If you’re interested, it’s worth checking out.
