“That was an absolute game changer for me” – Megos on breathing exercises

For around four years, breathing exercises have played a key role in the everyday life of top climber Alexander Megos. In this video, he reveals how breathing exercises help him climb better.

With breathing, you can calm yourself down, push yourself, bring yourself into balance and, above all, supply yourself with energy. Since 2021, Alexander Megos has been accompanied by health coach Lothar Lechler to breathe "correctly" in everyday life and when climbing.

Personally, I notice that I run much less densely when climbing. This is an absolute game changer for me.

Alexander Megos.

Humans breathe in and out 10 to 15 times a minute. In one day we take up to 23 breaths and inhale 000 cubic meters of air. But sometimes it is not how much air we take in that is important, but when and at what point. For Alexander Megos, learning how to use breathing to improve performance when climbing was an absolute game changer.

That might interest you

+ + +
Credits: Cover picture Alexander Megos.

News

Jakob Schubert repeats “DNA” – the first confirmed 9c in climbing history

Hundreds of spectators watched as the Tyrolean climber clipped the anchor of Seb Bouin's "DNA" in the Verdon Gorge. With his live ascent, Schubert created a climbing moment that will go down in history – as the first repeat of a 9c route, currently the highest grade in sport climbing.

World Cups, World Championships & Olympic Qualification | World Climbing presents its 2027 season calendar

2027 will be an important year for competition – with qualification for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, a World Championship in the Czech Republic and a full World Cup calendar in bouldering, lead, speed and para climbing.

Hard Sends: Sébastien Bouin on the first ascent of “Le Chant des Muses” (9b)

In April 2026, Bouin successfully completed his project "Le Chant des Muses" on the Romeyer Wall in the Drôme region. A film by Black Diamond shows the exceptional French climber behind the scenes and his journey to the successful ascent.

Silvan Schüpbach: New, wild climbing route in the Bernese Oberland

Silvan Schüpbach and Janluca Kostner have made the first complete free climb of "Untergang der Titanen" (8a) on the north face of the Gross Wellhorn. The 600-meter route in the Bernese Alps remains consistently difficult over its 20 pitches.

Jakob Schubert repeats “DNA” – the first confirmed 9c in climbing history

Hundreds of spectators watched as the Tyrolean climber clipped the anchor of Seb Bouin's "DNA" in the Verdon Gorge. With his live ascent, Schubert created a climbing moment that will go down in history – as the first repeat of a 9c route, currently the highest grade in sport climbing.

World Cups, World Championships & Olympic Qualification | World Climbing presents its 2027 season calendar

2027 will be an important year for competition – with qualification for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, a World Championship in the Czech Republic and a full World Cup calendar in bouldering, lead, speed and para climbing.

Hard Sends: Sébastien Bouin on the first ascent of “Le Chant des Muses” (9b)

In April 2026, Bouin successfully completed his project "Le Chant des Muses" on the Romeyer Wall in the Drôme region. A film by Black Diamond shows the exceptional French climber behind the scenes and his journey to the successful ascent.