Do Breathing Trainers Work? What the Research Says, Plus Our Top Picks
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Quick answer
Yes, for the right goals. Breathing trainers, also called inspiratory muscle trainers, add resistance when you breathe in, which strengthens your diaphragm and other breathing muscles. Research shows they can strengthen these muscles, a Cochrane review found they likely reduce breathlessness in people with COPD when used on their own, and studies in athletes and older adults show benefits for endurance and blood pressure. They don’t repair lung tissue or replace medical treatment. Our top pick is the POWERbreathe Plus.
- Best overall: POWERbreathe Plus
- Best for inhale and exhale training: The Breather
- Best for first-time users: Bigbreathe IMT Low
- Best dual-action trainer: Bigbreathe IMT/PEP
Breathing is powered by muscles, mainly the diaphragm and the muscles between your ribs. Like any muscle, they can get stronger with training. A breathing trainer is a handheld device that makes it harder to breathe in (and sometimes out), so these muscles have to work harder for a few minutes a day.
This is called inspiratory muscle training, or IMT. It’s different from breathing exercises such as pursed-lip or belly breathing, although the two work well together. You can learn those in our guide to breathing exercises you can do at home.
Our picks at a glance
| Product | Trains | Adjustment | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| POWERbreathe Plus | Inhale (IMT) | Adjustable dial | Fitness and everyday users |
| The Breather | Inhale and exhale | Separate dials | Beginners, older adults |
| Bigbreathe IMT Low | Inhale (IMT) | Twist to adjust | Beginners |
| Bigbreathe IMT/PEP | Inhale and exhale (PEP) | Adjustable | Seniors, everyday users |
How we chose
We looked at systematic reviews and clinical trials of inspiratory muscle training, then compared popular trainers on resistance range, adjustability, whether they train inhale, exhale or both, ease of cleaning and build quality. Product details come from manufacturer listings. We did not test these devices, and our picks are editorial judgments. Read our editorial policy.
Breathing trainers worth considering
1. POWERbreathe Plus: Best overall
POWERbreathe is one of the best-known names in inspiratory muscle training, and its devices are used in many research studies. The Plus is a simple mechanical trainer: you turn a dial to set the resistance, then breathe in hard through the mouthpiece for about 30 breaths, twice a day.
It comes in different resistance levels, so you can choose one that suits your current fitness and step up as you get stronger.
| POWERbreathe Plus | |
|---|---|
| Type | Inspiratory muscle trainer (IMT) |
| Resistance | Adjustable dial, several resistance ranges available |
| Power | None, fully mechanical |
| Typical routine | 30 breaths, twice a day |
What we like
- Trusted brand used in research
- Simple, drug-free routine that takes minutes
- Adjustable resistance
- No batteries or app needed
- Easy to clean
Keep in mind
- Trains breathing in only
- Choose the right resistance range for your fitness
2. The Breather: Best for inhale and exhale training
The Breather from PN Medical trains both breathing in and breathing out, using two separate resistance dials. It promotes deep diaphragmatic (belly) breathing and comes with online video training, which makes it a good choice if you’re new to breathing exercises.
| The Breather | |
|---|---|
| Type | Inspiratory and expiratory trainer |
| Resistance | Separate adjustable inhale and exhale settings |
| Power | None, fully mechanical |
| Extras | Online self-paced video training |
What we like
- Trains both inhale and exhale muscles
- Guided video training
- Gentle starting resistance
- Compact and portable
Keep in mind
- Lower maximum resistance than performance trainers
- Less suited to athletes
3. Bigbreathe IMT Low: Best for first-time users
Bigbreathe’s IMT Low is designed for people who are new to breathing training. You twist the body of the device to choose the resistance, then breathe in through the mouthpiece. It comes apart for washing, and the maker says it supplies hospitals and health centers in South Korea.
| Bigbreathe IMT Low | |
|---|---|
| Type | Inspiratory muscle trainer (IMT) |
| Resistance | Low range, twist to adjust |
| Power | None |
| Cleaning | Mouthpiece and parts come apart for washing |
What we like
- Low resistance range for beginners
- Simple twist adjustment
- Easy to clean
Keep in mind
- You may outgrow the low range
- Inhale training only
4. Bigbreathe IMT/PEP: Best dual-action trainer
This dual-action model combines inspiratory muscle training with positive expiratory pressure (PEP) training, which adds resistance when you breathe out. It’s fully manual, comes apart without tools for cleaning and is light enough to travel with.
| Bigbreathe IMT/PEP | |
|---|---|
| Type | Dual IMT and PEP trainer |
| Resistance | Adjustable for inhale and exhale |
| Power | None |
| Cleaning | Tool-free disassembly |
What we like
- Trains breathing in and out
- Tool-free cleaning
- Portable
- No batteries or maintenance
Keep in mind
- If you have a lung condition, use breathing-out (PEP) devices only as your care team advises
What the research says
Here is what the best evidence shows so far:
- People with COPD: a 2023 Cochrane review found that inspiratory muscle training on its own likely improves breathlessness, exercise capacity and quality of life. Adding it to a full pulmonary rehabilitation program may not add much extra benefit.
- Athletes: a 2013 meta-analysis in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research found respiratory muscle training can improve sports performance, especially in endurance events, though results varied between studies.
- Blood pressure: a 2021 trial in the Journal of the American Heart Association found that just 30 high-resistance breaths a day lowered systolic blood pressure and improved blood vessel function in midlife and older adults with above-normal blood pressure.
What breathing trainers can’t do
Breathing trainers strengthen muscles. They don’t repair damaged lung tissue, clear the lungs of tar or “detox” them, and they aren’t a substitute for inhalers, pulmonary rehabilitation or quitting smoking. Be wary of any device that promises to “expand” your lungs or cure a lung condition.
How to use a breathing trainer
- Sit or stand upright and relax your shoulders.
- Set the resistance so that about 30 breaths feels hard but doable.
- Breathe out fully, seal your lips around the mouthpiece, then breathe in as hard and fast as you can.
- Breathe out slowly and gently.
- Do about 30 breaths, once or twice a day, most days of the week.
- Increase the resistance gradually as it gets easier.
- Clean the device regularly as the instructions describe.
Who should be careful
Light-headedness is common when you start, so sit down for your first sessions. Talk to your doctor before using a breathing trainer if you have a lung condition, have had a collapsed lung (pneumothorax), a ruptured eardrum, recent surgery on your chest, stomach or eyes, or heart problems.
What to look for when buying
- Resistance range: choose a range that matches your fitness so you can progress.
- Inhale, exhale or both: most research is on inhale (IMT) training.
- Easy adjustment: a clear dial or scale makes progress easy to track.
- Cleaning: parts that come apart for washing.
- Build quality: sturdy, mechanical devices last for years.
Talk to a doctor first
If you have COPD, asthma or another lung condition, ask your doctor or respiratory therapist whether inspiratory muscle training is right for you and what resistance to start at. Many pulmonary rehabilitation programs can teach you how to use a trainer safely.
Get help now
Call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you have severe shortness of breath, chest pain, blue or gray lips, coughing up blood, or confusion. A supplement is never a substitute for urgent care.
Frequently asked questions
Product details are taken from manufacturer listings and were checked on October 29, 2026. Prices and availability change, so check Amazon for the latest.
Sources
- Ammous O, Feki W, Lotfi T, et al. Inspiratory muscle training, with or without concomitant pulmonary rehabilitation, for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. 2023. CD013778.
- HajGhanbari B, Yamabayashi C, Buna TR, et al. Effects of respiratory muscle training on performance in athletes: a systematic review with meta-analyses. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. 2013. doi:10.1519/JSC.0b013e318269f73f.
- Craighead DH, Heinbockel TC, Freeberg KA, et al. Time-efficient inspiratory muscle strength training lowers blood pressure and improves endothelial function, NO bioavailability, and oxidative stress in midlife/older adults with above-normal blood pressure. Journal of the American Heart Association. 2021. doi:10.1161/JAHA.121.020980.
- Gosselink R, De Vos J, van den Heuvel SP, et al. Impact of inspiratory muscle training in patients with COPD: what is the evidence? European Respiratory Journal. 2011. doi:10.1183/09031936.00031810.