User Guide

Each Control Dial has a minimum and maximum setting (printed on the Control Dial). The Inhalation Control Dial starts at a minimum setting of “1” and can go to a maximum setting of “6”. This Control is used to set the level of effort for breathing in. The Exhalation Control Dial starts at a minimum setting of “1” and can go to a maximum setting of “3”. This Control is used to set the level of effort for breathing out. The size of the opening through which you breathe remains constant regardless of the setting you select. This provides consistency in the flow of air as you make adjustments. Any change in the rate of air flow is a result of your ability to move air at any given setting.

For example, if you increase the setting on one of the Control Dials and notice a reduced flow rate, then that setting is too high for you. Conversely, if you increase the setting on one of the Control Dials and notice relatively little difference in the flow of air or quality of air, then it is time for you to increase the setting (provided the air flow was of a full, robust quality on each breath).

You will notice that the range of settings is almost infinite between the lowest and highest settings. The recommended approach for adjusting the Control Dials is to divide the rotations in relation to one complete turn; for example, one half turn, one quarter turn, one eighth turn, and so on.

With experimentation, you gain awareness of the relationship between the adjustments of the Control Dials. Initially, you may notice little difference when making adjustments on the Control Dial. As you use your PowerLung, you become more sensitive to your choice of settings and increments of adjustment.

Remember, less is more. This is most easily accomplished by listening to the sound of the air during breathing. Listen for a full, robust quality to the air during the exercise. Too high of a setting will make it difficult to maintain proper breathing form and achieve a full, deep breath.

Everybody is unique. Because of that, everybody’s breathing ability is different. Before beginning any training program with PowerLung, you must determine the ideal settings right for you. Do not let your ego or pride get in the way of your development by setting the Control Dials too high. This only makes the exercises too difficult and will do more harm than good. Always keep good, deep breathing form when using PowerLung. This helps you get more from any activity and reinforces good deep breathing habits.

Remember, the goal of any PowerLung Training Program is to:

1. Strengthen, exercise and condition your breathing muscles.
2. Reduce breathing effort
3. Increase breathing efficiency and increase endurance
4. Reinforce deep breathing

The process for finding your ideal settings is designed to raise your awareness of:

1. How you interact with the different settings;
2. How your body reacts with the different settings;
3. How much is too much?

Begin by setting both Control Dials to “1”. This is the least difficult setting. Place the Mouthpiece in your mouth with the Lip Guard outside of your lips as pictured. Breathe in through your PowerLung. Fill your lungs completely in about 3 seconds maximum. Then breathe out completely, pushing all the air out of your lungs in about 3 seconds maximum. Breathe in a relaxed manner and listen for a full, robust sound of air. If the sound is very thin, or light, like breathing through pursed lips, keep your PowerLung set to the least difficult setting. As you become more accustomed to the training, the air should sound more full. When you are able to breathe deeply, filling your lungs completely in 3 seconds, and generate a full sound or air, you may begin increasing the breathing effort on the Control Dials. Continue to page 16 to learn how to Warm-up with your PowerLung.

NOTE: Do not bite down on the Mouthpiece.

NOTE:
Adjust one Control Dial at a time to avoid confusion while finding your ideal settings.

To find the proper inhale setting begin by establishing the low and high end of your training or practice range. The low end of your range is the least difficult setting marked as “1” on the Inhalation Control Dial.

Without the PowerLung breathe out completely, emptying the air from your lungs. Now, take a breath in deeply through your PowerLung. Fill your lungs completely in about 3 seconds. Taking longer than 3 seconds does not give you strength training benefits. Taking less than 3 seconds does not train deep breathing. Listen carefully for a full, robust sound created by the air moving through the PowerLung.

Turn the Inhalation Control Dial one full turn clockwise to increase the setting and repeat the same breathing process. Remember to breathe out completely without the PowerLung before you begin to breathe in. Continue to increase the setting and breathing in pattern until you can no longer fill your lungs completely in 3 seconds, the sound of inhalation is very light, or you feel like you are really working hard but only getting air in the upper part of your lungs. When one of these instances occurs, you have reached the upper end of your inhale range and the setting is too high to give you benefit.

Now you have established your inhale training range. Somewhere in the middle is the setting for you. Begin decreasing the Inhalation Control Dial until you find a setting about midway between the high end and low end of your range.

A complete turn represents a significant change in the setting, decrease the Inhalation Control Dial by turning it 1/8 of a turn as you reach the midway point between the low end and high end of your training range. After every adjustment, breathe in. Fill your lungs completely in 3 seconds. Before breathing in remember to breathe out completely without your PowerLung. Be sure to use no more than 3 seconds for breathing in. You have reached the proper setting when you have the ability to breathe to fill your lungs to full capacity, generate a full sounding inhalation but feel some effort in your breathing.

Less is more. Do not let your pride or ego get in the way of good deep breathing. However, do not make it so easy, you do not receive the benefits of exercise and conditioning your breathing muscles.

Finding this setting is similar to how we found your inhalation setting. The low end of your exhale training or practice is the least difficult setting marked as “1” on the Exhalation Control Dial.

Without the PowerLung take a deep breath and completely fill your lungs. Now, through the PowerLung breathe out completely in 3 seconds. Be sure you empty all the air in your lungs in 3 seconds. Listen carefully for a full, robust sound created by the air moving through the PowerLung. Remember, taking longer than 3 seconds does not give you the strength training benefits.

Increase the setting by one full turn on the Exhalation Control Dial by turning it clockwise. Without the PowerLung fill your lungs completely then breathe out completely through PowerLung in 3 seconds. Continue to increase the setting and exhaling until you can no longer empty your lungs completely in 3 seconds, the sound of exhalation is very light, you feel like you are really working hard but only getting air in the upper part of your lungs, or you feel pressure in your ears. When any one of these instances occurs, you have reached the upper end of your exhale range. This setting is too high to give you benefits for the Exhalation Control Dial.

Now you have established your Exhale training range. Somewhere in the middle is the setting for you. Begin by decreasing the Exhalation Control Dial 1/8 turn until you find a setting for you about midway between the high end and low end of your range. Remember, you are looking for the ability to breathe to empty your lungs completely in 3 seconds maximum, generate a full sounding inhalation with some effort in your breathing.

Again, less is more. Do not let your pride or ego get in the way of good deep breathing. However, do not make it so easy, you do not receive the benefits of exercise and conditioning your breathing muscles.

You have found your ideal settings for the Inhalation Control Dial and Exhalation Control Dial. You are now ready to begin training with your PowerLung.

There are many ways you can use your PowerLung, whether it is on its own or as an aid with other exercise or training programs. The Warm-Up and Training Program are two programs designed to help you tone and condition your breathing muscles. After you have used the Training Program for at least a month, you can begin to add other routines you design yourself.

Here are a few tips before you begin any training with PowerLung.

• Never hold your breath during the Training Program.
• If you feel lightheaded during training, stop immediately. Let the feeling subside and begin the training again. This is common for new users to PowerLung and usually decreases as you become accustomed to using PowerLung. If it persists, contact your physician.
• Do not lift your shoulders or tense your neck muscles when breathing in through your PowerLung. If you find yourself doing it, your Inhalation Control Dial setting may be too high.
• When breathing out through your PowerLung, do not puff your cheeks. If you find yourself puffing your cheeks, your Exhalation Control Dial setting may be too high.
• If you lift your shoulders or tense your neck muscles when breathing in, or puffing your cheeks when breathing out, try lying down on your back when using PowerLung. Your breathing usually more relaxed this way.
• Make sure to only breathe through your mouth when using PowerLung. Breathing through your nose is not the proper way to train with PowerLung and you will not gain the benefits from PowerLung. If you have difficulty with this, try pinching your nose closed or reducing the settings.
• Getting a dry throat is common for new users to PowerLung. If you find yourself getting a dry throat from using PowerLung, take a sip of water between sets to help keep it moist.
• Finally, relax and don’t think about breathing right. When you have your ideal setting, your body and PowerLung will help you breathe right.

For PowerLung Active Series users, this program can be used just like your stretching or other warm-up activities before any activity, workout, or competition. This gently stretches the muscles and promotes deep, natural breathing. Also use it during long workouts or after any activity, exercise or competition to keep muscles limber, promote muscle relaxation, and reduce blood lactate levels.

For PowerLung Performer Series users, this program is intended to trigger a natural relaxation response in the body and remind you of the relaxed, natural form you want to reinforce when you produce sound. It can be used throughout the day before playing or singing or to relax during a long practice or a performance. You can also use the M422T model to warm up.

When training with PowerLung, it is a good idea to keep track of your settings and progress in a practice journal or training log.

1. If you are not on the minimum setting, turn both  Control Dials to decrease to the minimum setting.
2. Exhale all your air before beginning the inhalation then breathe deeply through the PowerLung for 5 to 10 breaths.
3. Maintain a good, relaxed form with a full range of motion throughout the Warm-Up Program.

The following program is the foundation for any new or returning PowerLung user. This program is designed to strengthen the respiratory muscles. Sports, fitness and wellness-minded individuals reinforce good deep breathing. Developing, serious and professional musicians reinforce a smooth, fluid breathing process.

Stronger respiratory muscles reduce the perceived effort of breathing and increase your ability to remain relaxed for any activity. The more relaxed your muscles, the more natural and fluid your breathing becomes. You achieve a more natural and fluid breath to improve performance, make exercise easier, produce a more resonant and full sound, or improve quality of life.

If you do the Warm-Up before the Training Program, make sure you reset the Control Dials to the settings in your journal.

The recommended use is 3 sets of 10 breathing repetitions twice each day. Each recommended use period takes about 5 minutes at most. A repetition begins when you breathe in and completely fill your lungs, and ends when you breathe out, completely emptying your lungs in 3 seconds. When doing a repetition, you are completing a full range of motion in training your breathing muscles.

The steps to performing a repetition are exactly the same as the steps to your ideal settings. This time you combine breathing in and breathing out. You can, if you want, pause for 2 seconds between inhale and exhale.

• Breathe in through your PowerLung for 3 seconds. Fill your lungs as completely as possible in this frame. Listen for a smooth, full sound of air passing through your PowerLung.
• Breathe out through your PowerLung for 3 seconds. Completely empty your lungs at the end. Again, listen for a smooth, full sound of air passing through your PowerLung.

A complete set consists of a total of 10 repetitions. Perform the first 8 as previously discussed: breathing in from empty to full in 3 seconds then breathing out from full to empty in 3 seconds. When you reach the 9th and 10th repetition, try to breathe in and fill your lungs in 1 second, then breathe out and completely empty your lungs in 1 second.

As you train, maintain a full range of motion. Train for quick breaths by breathing more quickly for the last 2 repetitions. It is still important to keep the full range of motion even in 1 second. Do not be discouraged if you cannot do it. Remember that this is a new training program for you and you may not be perfect on the first try. Practice, train hard, and it will become like any other routine in your life.

• The recommended daily use of PowerLung is to perform 3 sets of 10 repetitions twice each day. Use this program and the warm up for at least 6-8 weeks before making a change.
• You can split this between mornings, afternoons, evenings or any routine that works best for you. Be sure to do it at least 2 times a day.
• If you cannot do the recommended daily use, do not push yourself. This is a new training program to you and you have never strength trained your breathing muscles. Build yourself up and you will be able to achieve the recommended use with ease.
• The recommended use is designed to help those who are beginning with PowerLung. When you become experienced with PowerLung, try building it into other training programs or exercise programs. Make changes only after you have used PowerLung at least 6-8 weeks.

The more regularly you do any exercise the easier it becomes. The same is true when you train with PowerLung. With regular PowerLung use you will find it becomes easier to perform either the inhalation or the exhalation portion of the training program.

When you find it easy either for breathing in or breathing out through your PowerLung, you are ready to advance in your settings. If inhaling is easy, then turn the Inhalation Control Dial clockwise 1/8 of a turn. If exhaling is easy, then turn the Exhalation Control Dial counterclockwise 1/8 of a turn.

• Remember that this is a training program. You will not see results unless you keep a routine of using PowerLung.
• You may feel improvements in your breathing in 3 to 5 days.
• Train daily with PowerLung for about 3 to 4 weeks and you will start to feel a significant difference in your breathing along with the benefits of increased lung capacity and reduced breathlessness. Remember, you are training muscles. When you stop using PowerLung, the muscles stop training and soon lose all muscle memory of the training.