[xMenace]

Originally Posted by Evermont

Just a wild guess here...

I lift regularly now. Often I catch myself straining, holding my breath, grimacing my face etc. while doing various lifts. I catch myself because I learned somewhere long ago that this is bad form. I quickly revert to relaxing everything but the muscles being targeted by the specific exercise at hand. I try to go through my entire routine that way, relaxed. Deliberate and controlled breathing. It seems a little weird, unnatural even, but I think it might be much better.

Maybe the danger in lifting is only if you "do it wrong". I'll ask my daughter - she's a personal trainer.

You should breath out on the positive push or pull regardless of your health.