Spirotiger

What is the Spirotiger?

The Spirotiger is a mobile respiratory and trunk muscle trainer. It is mainly used by professional athletes from all fields (e.g. the Zurich Ice Hockey Team ZSC). Repeated training should improve physical endurance and performance. Is that true?

How does the Spirotiger work?

The Spirotiger consists of the main console and an extension with mouthpiece and bag. When exhaling, most of the air is breathed into the bag, a small amount is blown outwards. When inhaling, you first inhale the air in the bag, which has a lower oxygen content, and only at the end, a small amount of fresh air is added. The breathing frequency and the bag size can be adjusted on the device. By the repeated inhalation of the already used air, as well as the breathing frequency, it is possible to train the breathing muscles and thus to increase the performance.

Advantages of the Spirotiger

By training the respiratory muscles, the lungs can be better strained during exertion and use oxygen more efficiently. This increases the endurance and adaptability of the lungs. The training also has a stress-relieving effect.

Also something for us CFers?

There have been no official studies so far as to whether the Spirotiger also offers the same benefits with CF. I have heard many different opinions from physiotherapists and doctors. That's why I bought a Spirotiger and tested it. (See test report below). In my opinion, the Spirotiger is also well suited for CF. But you should still be careful. If your lungs are rather stricken, discuss this first with the doctor.

How does the Spirotiger work?

The Spirotiger consists of the main console and an extension with mouthpiece and bag. When exhaling, most of the air is breathed into the bag, a small amount is blown outwards. When inhaling, you first inhale the air in the bag, which has a lower oxygen content, and only at the end, a small amount of fresh air is added. The breathing frequency and the bag size can be adjusted on the device. By the repeated inhalation of the already used air, as well as the breathing frequency, it is possible to train the breathing muscles and thus to increase the performance.

Advantages of the Spirotiger

By training the respiratory muscles, the lungs can be better strained during exertion and use oxygen more efficiently. This increases the endurance and adaptability of the lungs. The training also has a stress-relieving effect.

Also something for us CFers?

There have been no official studies so far as to whether the Spirotiger also offers the same benefits with CF. I have heard many different opinions from physiotherapists and doctors. That's why I bought a Spirotiger and tested it. (See test report below). In my opinion, the Spirotiger is also well suited for CF. But you should still be careful. If your lungs are rather stricken, discuss this first with the doctor.

My review

I have tested the Spirotiger for 6 weeks, and I am enthusiastic about the result. The device shows the number of breathed air after each workout. Compared to the first day I was able to increase the number of liters by almost 10% after 6 weeks. During sports I felt fitter and less tired. My FEV1 was 4% better and my oxygen content in the blood also increased by 2%. Of course this can also be connected with other things, but I am convinced that the Spirotiger contributed an important part to it. Personally, I have now bought the Spirotiger permanently. I can recommend it in any case. Ask the doctor and the insurance company whether the device will be paid for. I was able to have him billed by the health insurance company. With approx. 4000 CHF it is not quite cheap, but totally recommendable! Try it out!

5/5

How to use the Spirotiger?

  1. Make sure the bag has the right size. You should be able to fill the bag and have some air left. 
  2. Adjust the breathing rate rather low at the beginning. The start should be gentle and not too strenuous. The frequency can be further increased over time.
  3. At the beginning you should do short sessions. Start with 3-5 minutes, with low breathing rate and pleasant bag volume. 
  4. Do the training every day if possible or at least every two days.
  5. If you have been training with the same settings for a few days (or 1-2 weeks), you will see that the number of liters will increase. Then start by increasing the bag volume.

6. If you increase the bag volume and have trained for a few days, increase the breathing rate. Don't increase too fast, the lungs have to get used to the new circumstances first.

7. When you have reached the maximum volume of your bag, you can buy a bigger one. Alternatively, you can continue to increase your breathing rate, but make sure it is not too high or you will start hyperventilating. 

8. Clean the device after each use. For this purpose you can put all parts (except the console of course) in a disinfecting liquid. Then let it dry sufficiently. You can hang the bag on a hook.

How to use the Spirotiger?

  1. Make sure the bag has the right size. You should be able to fill the bag and have some air left. 
  2. Adjust the breathing rate rather low at the beginning. The start should be gentle and not too strenuous. The frequency can be further increased over time.
  3. Am Anfang solltest Du  kurze Sessions machen. Starte mit 3-5 Minuten, mit niedriger Atemfrequent und angenehmen Beutelvolumen. 
  4. Do the training every day if possible or at least every two days.
  5. If you have been training with the same settings for a few days (or 1-2 weeks), you will see that the number of liters will increase. Then start by increasing the bag volume.

  6. If you increase the bag volume and have trained for a few days, increase the breathing rate. Don't increase too fast, the lungs have to get used to the new circumstances first.

  7. When you have reached the maximum volume of your bag, you can buy a bigger one. Alternatively, you can continue to increase your breathing rate, but make sure it is not too high or you will start hyperventilating. 

  8. Clean the device after each use. For this purpose you can put all parts (except the console of course) in a disinfecting liquid. Then let it dry sufficiently. You can hang the bag on a hook.