POWERbreathe has a range of expiratory muscle training (EMT) devices designed to improve vocal and musical strength, stability, endurance and power whilst improving your quality of life. Our EMT devices are available at different resistance levels to suit individual needs.

Read our guide to learn how POWERbreathe EMT works.

  • How does the breathing trainer strengthen your expiratory muscles?

    The POWERbreathe EMT devices use expiratory ‘pressure threshold’ loading to exercise your expiratory muscles, in a similar way to weightlifting.

    The calibrated spring in the device provides the breathing load; this load is like the weight being lifted. As you increase the load, it will become harder to exhale against the resistance and open the valve to enable expiration through the device.

    When exhalation feels easy at the resistance set, adjust the training load to increase the resistance. Just as you would choose to lift a heavier weight as you get stronger over time, the higher resistance should be more challenging.

  • How to use your POWERbreathe EMT device

    • Turn the dial at the bottom of the device to level 0.
    • Take an initial deep breath in, then place the EMT device in your mouth and maintain a tight lip seal around the mouthpiece.
    • Forcefully exhale through the device until the valve opens and you can hear the air rushing out.
    • If air went through easily, turn the dial to increase the resistance. Repeat the process again until it becomes challenging to force the air through – this will be the level of training you should start with.

    Find out how to perform the correct breathing technique for POWERbreathe EMT in our video below.

    Once you have identified the best starting resistance for your ability, begin the training protocol which is as follows:

    • Take an initial deep breath in, then place the EMT device in your mouth and maintain a tight lip seal around the mouthpiece.
    • Forcefully exhale through the device until the valve opens and you can hear the air rushing out.
    • Repeat this 5 times. After each set, rest for 1 minute before attempting the next set.
    • Do this set of 5 exhalations, 5 times per day, and perform this training 5 days a week.

  • How often do you need to use the expiratory muscle trainer?

    The typical training protocol for expiratory muscle training is  5 x 5 x 5 (5 x exhales, 5 times a day, for 5 days a week).

    When the load you have set starts to feel easy to manage, you need to start increasing it by turning up the dial on the handle. It is recommended that you start with a quarter-turn of the dial to increase the load by the smallest amount.

  • Who is the EMT device for?

    EMT devices can be used by anyone who uses forced expiratory breathing. They are ideal for people who need to empty air from their lungs more than normal.

    People with medical conditions
    POWERbreathe EMT devices can improve the symptoms of people with the following conditions:

    • Dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
    • Cervical or spine injury
    • Coughs, like chronic bronchitis

    By improving your cough strength, it will be easier to clear food and drink from the airways. The movement and strength of the swallowing muscles help clear food and drink through the throat.

    Singers
    If you play a wind instrument or sing, EMT can improve your performance. As you can empty more air from your lungs, you can play for longer and with more ease.

    Sportspeople
    Stronger expiratory muscles are also beneficial for sportspeople wishing to improve their sports performance because expiratory muscle fatigue impairs performance.

  • Which model of breathing trainer do you need?

    Our comparison chart breaks down the different features of each EMT device. The EX1 EMT light resistance is ideal for beginners. Whilst the EX1 EMT Medic is recommended for use with patients with compromised breathing. The medium resistance model is suitable for people that have experience with breathing training, and so can expel more air. Finally, the heaviest resistance device is for people with large lung volumes, and who have reached the highest level on the POWERbreathe EX1-MR device.