To breathe or not to breathe?

Men's Fitness, Sept, 2003 by Mark Thomas

Are you supposed to breathe while lifting? I can't seem to when lifting heavy. According to a friend of mine, his trainer told him to breathe when pushing the weight up on the bench press. I tried this, but can't seem to lift heavy when I breathe. What's the right technique?

--MARK THOMAS, MIAMI, FL

Breathing while lifting weights might not be a good idea, especially when pushing heavy poundages. It's actually quite common for powerlifters to hold their breath on the lifting, or concentric, portion of movements. Studies have shown that holding one's breath during the lifting phase of each rep, and thus stabilizing the chest cavity and abdominal muscles, can noticeably increase strength levels.