Hyperventilating during crunches?

michelleepotter

Ok, for the last three months, I have been slowly working up from doing 6 crunches in a set to now about 22. (I'm using an app that increases the number every day, with a goal of 100 in a set.) Ever since I got close to doing 20 crunches, I started feeling dizzy around number 18. I used to have panic attacks, where I would hyperventilate, and that's EXACTLY what it feels like. It feels like I'm not getting enough air into my lungs -- no matter how deeply I try to breathe -- and after about 18 crunches the dizziness and flashes in front of my eyes start to set in. I'm not TIRED -- the exercise isn't too hard for me, and my muscles feel like I could keep going -- I just can't breathe. This does not happen when I jump rope, or when I do squats or push ups. I do not have asthma or anything like that, and I am certain that I'm not having panic attacks.

This is what I'm doing. As I go down, I breathe in. As I come up, and my diaphragm is compressed, I breathe out. While I'm up I count to three, then I breathe in as I go down. It does help if I stop every ten crunches and take a couple of deep breaths, but I want to be able to breathe and exercise at the same time! Help?

honeysprinkles

I don't have any explanation or advice except maybe quit doing crunches and find another ab workout to do!

billcchilders

My suggestion would be to find other core training exercising such as bridges - the proper form of a crunch is very hard to ahcieve.

mrmanmeat

Ok, for the last three months, I have been slowly working up from doing 6 crunches in a set to now about 22. (I'm using an app that increases the number every day, with a goal of 100 in a set.) Ever since I got close to doing 20 crunches, I started feeling dizzy around number 18. I used to have panic attacks, where I would hyperventilate, and that's EXACTLY what it feels like. It feels like I'm not getting enough air into my lungs -- no matter how deeply I try to breathe -- and after about 18 crunches the dizziness and flashes in front of my eyes start to set in. I'm not TIRED -- the exercise isn't too hard for me, and my muscles feel like I could keep going -- I just can't breathe. This does not happen when I jump rope, or when I do squats or push ups. I do not have asthma or anything like that, and I am certain that I'm not having panic attacks.

This is what I'm doing. As I go down, I breathe in. As I come up, and my diaphragm is compressed, I breathe out. While I'm up I count to three, then I breathe in as I go down. It does help if I stop every ten crunches and take a couple of deep breaths, but I want to be able to breathe and exercise at the same time! Help?

Do planks, they're better anyways.

militarydreams

Bodyweight exercises past approximately 20 reps becomes quite aerobic. Is your cardio up together?

michelleepotter

Hmm... I was considering switching to a kettlebell workout anyway (just because my husband bought one, and I hate to see it going to waste), so if the consensus is "stop doing crunches," I guess I will. I will also check out planks -- never done one before.

Bodyweight exercises past approximately 20 reps becomes quite aerobic. Is your cardio up together?

I understood your first sentence, but I don't know what you are asking with the second one. Sorry.