Why Do Muscles Need Oxygen?

Every time you work out, jog, or even stretch, your muscles depend on oxygen. But oxygen’s role goes beyond just keeping your muscles active—it’s also important for recovery and maximizing endurance. It’s a no-brainer that muscles need oxygen, but what if you could supply them with an extra dose of the fuel they crave?

Yes, I'm talking about Exercise with Oxygen Therapy (EWOT)—breathing in higher oxygen concentrations while you exercise.

Interesting, isn’t it?

Keep reading to find out why this can make a big difference for your muscles and overall performance.

Why Muscles Depend on Oxygen – The Science Behind It

To understand the importance of oxygen in your muscles, let’s take a look at what happens when you exercise. 

You might have heard about ATP or adenosine triphosphate—it’s the energy molecule that powers muscle contractions. Most of it is made by breaking down food with the help of oxygen, producing carbon dioxide and water as byproducts. This makes oxygen essential for energy production, especially when you’re active and your body demands more energy—and, therefore, more oxygen. The more intense the activity, the more oxygen your muscles need.

Simply put, when you get moving, your muscles contract. The best part? Exercise stimulates your body to deliver more oxygen to those working muscles.

As your body demands more oxygen, your breathing rate increases. Each time you inhale, your lungs take in oxygen, which then moves to your bloodstream and binds it with hemoglobin in red blood cells. This oxygen is then delivered to the muscles and other areas that need it. To keep up, your heart works harder by pumping oxygen-rich blood to where it’s needed most. The more your heart works, the more efficient it becomes at its job. 

With time, your heart gets stronger and becomes better at pumping blood. Your body responds by creating new blood vessels to help manage the increased blood flow. These new blood vessels will take some of the workload off your existing ones. This helps reduce your blood pressure. 

Without sufficient oxygen, muscles shift to anaerobic (low-oxygen) energy production. This can make you feel fatigued, limit your endurance, and result in a buildup of lactic acid—which causes the familiar “burn” in your muscles and that post-workout soreness.

How Oxygen Levels Affect Your Strength and Endurance

Ever come across the term VO2 max in fitness articles and wondered what it means? Let me explain. 

So what is VO2 max?  

It is the measurement of how much your body utilizes oxygen while working out. Basically, it tells you about your aerobic capacity. When you inhale, your lungs absorb oxygen and convert it into adenosine triphosphate (ATP). ATP fuels your cells and muscles. The higher the VO2 max, the more oxygen your body can take in and use efficiently. In other words, higher VO2 max is an indication of how well your body can handle aerobic fitness activities. 

You might think VO2 max is only for athletes. In fact, it’s beneficial for everyone who is looking to improve their heart and lung health, regardless of athletic or fitness level. VO2 max is closely tied to your cardiorespiratory fitness, and research shows that it is a strong predictor of longevity. 

Now let’s take a look at how oxygen levels can improve your performance:

• Increased Stamina and Power Output: More oxygen means that your muscles produce more energy. This keeps you active longer and delays post-workout fatigue.
• Reduced Lactic Acid Buildup: As mentioned, lactic acid is the byproduct of anaerobic respiration. With more oxygen available, your muscles don’t have to depend as much on anaerobic respiration to produce energy. This means less lactic acid buildup and faster recovery between workouts.   
• Long-Term Benefits: When your muscles get the oxygen they need, it’s not just about performance—it’s about supporting your cardiovascular health and increasing your oxygen update. And the best part? You’ll get stronger, more resilient muscles. 

What is Exercise with Oxygen Therapy (EWOT)

By now, you know that oxygen is the fuel your muscles crave. What if you could supply your muscles with all the enough oxygen your muscles need—by exercising for just 15 minutes a day?

That’s the main idea behind Exercise with Oxygen Therapy (EWOT).

This practice involves inhaling higher concentrations of oxygen while you do your favorite exercise. During an EWOT session, you breathe in oxygen-enriched air using a specialized mask to meet your body’s increased oxygen demand while working out. 

Here’s how EWOT works:

• Improved Oxygenation: Taking in oxygen-rich while you exercise has been shown to instantly improve oxygen levels in your bloodstream. This means more fuel for your muscles, so you can push harder and feel less drained after the session. 
• Better Muscle Performance: EWOT makes sure your muscles get sufficient oxygen. This helps you maintain energy and endurance even during intense workout sessions.
• Reduced Recovery Time: After an EWOT session, many of our customers report feeling less post-exercise soreness and faster recovery. All because of the surge of oxygen that helps eliminate lactic acid and other waste products and reduces inflammation. 

How Can EWOT Help You Improve Your Muscle Health?

Want to know how EWOT can benefit your muscle health?

Read on!

• Faster Recovery: After an intense workout session, your body and muscles need time to heal. EWOT accelerates your recovery by increasing your blood oxygen levels. As mentioned, lactic acid can help clear out lactic acid and other metabolic byproducts.
• Improved Performance: Are you an athlete or a fitness enthusiast looking to improve your stamina and performance? Then, EWOT could be the perfect tool for you. Increased oxygen flow can help you perform better, push your limits, and take your fitness to the next level.
• Increased Endurance: When you engage in EWOT, your muscles become better at sustaining prolonged exertion. This happens because your body adapts to the increased oxygen intake. The result? More efficient workouts, with Improved stamina and resilience over time.

How to Incorporate EWOT Into Your Fitness Routine

Thinking of how to integrate EWOT into your current fitness routine?

No worries!

Here are some practical tips that can help you make the most of your EWOT sessions.

• Not sure where to begin? Relax—all you need is an EWOT System, your choice of exercise equipment (treadmill, elliptical, or stationary bike), and just 15 minutes of your time, all from the comfort of your home. 
• If you’re new to EWOT, we recommend you begin shorter sessions (8-10 minutes) at a moderate intensity for 2-3 times per week to get used to the EWOT system and the feel of inhaling oxygen-rich air. Gradually increase the session duration and frequency as your body gets adjusted to the increased oxygen intake.
• If you’re an athlete or a fitness enthusiast, you can use EWOT as an adjunct to your regular training routine to improve your energy, performance, and endurance.

⚠ Always consult your healthcare practitioner before starting any new exercise routine, including EWOT, especially if you have pre-existing medical conditions.

Is EWOT Worth Trying?

Do you often feel soreness or fatigue post-workout? If so, EWOT is worth trying!

When you start doing EWOT, you could notice:

• Less muscle soreness post-workout
• Increased capacity train harder and longer without feeling winded
• Faster recovery time

Takeaway

If you’re someone who prioritizes health—whether an athlete, a fitness enthusiast, or a wellness seeker—EWOT can make a tangible difference in your journey. By combining the benefits of the powerful Oxygen-Exercise duo, you’re not just fueling your muscles; you’re super-oxygenating your body to become a better version of yourself.