What it is
The Big Breathe IMT is an inspiratory muscle trainer. A spring inside makes it harder to breathe in, so the muscles that pull air into your lungs, mainly the diaphragm, have to work against resistance. Like any strength training, doing that regularly makes those muscles stronger.
It only works on the breath in: it isn’t a mucus clearance device. It comes in three colours, each covering a different resistance band, with ten adjustable levels inside each band.
Who it's for
- Low (green): first-time users, children, older people, anyone who doesn’t exercise regularly, and people with weaker lungs.
- Medium (blue): people with an active lifestyle, amateur athletes and singers.
- High (red): athletes, professional singers and wind instrument players.
- People with COPD or other lung conditions where breathing muscle weakness adds to breathlessness. We’ll assess which band suits you.
How to use it
Sit upright, somewhere you can concentrate on your breathing for a few minutes.
- Set the resistance by turning the body of the device left or right to the level your physiotherapist set.
- Seal your lips around the mouthpiece. Keep the seal tight so all the air comes through the device.
- Breathe in strongly through the device against the resistance. You should feel your diaphragm working.
- Breathe out normally. You don’t need to force the breath out: the training is on the way in.
- Repeat for the number of breaths your physiotherapist has set, resting whenever you need to.
Choosing a setting
- Each colour covers a different resistance band, and there are ten levels within each.
- Start at the level we set, and move up only when the full set feels comfortable.
- If you can’t complete your set, or you’re straining your neck and shoulders to breathe in, the level is too high.
Cleaning & care
After each use
- Take the mouthpiece, mouthpiece link and cap off the body.
- Wash them with water.
- Dry all the parts completely before reassembling, so the spring inside the body doesn’t rust.
Weekly deep clean
- Check the mouthpiece for cracks and make sure the resistance dial still turns smoothly.
- The manufacturer doesn’t publish a separate weekly deep clean.
- This is a single-person device: don’t share it.
Avoid: boiling it. The manufacturer states: do not boil in boiling water.
When to replace it
No replacement interval is published. Replace it if the mouthpiece is damaged, the dial won’t hold its setting, or the resistance feels different from one day to the next.
Things to be careful about
- The manufacturer doesn’t publish a medical contraindication list, so check with us first if you have a heart condition, uncontrolled blood pressure, or have had recent chest, neck or abdominal surgery.
- Breathing training can make you lightheaded at first. Sit down to do it, and stop if you feel dizzy.
- Don’t push through pain or severe breathlessness: tell us and we’ll adjust your level.
Sources: Roku Care Big Breathe IMT · Big Breathe IMT product information. Instructions are summarised from the manufacturer and may change; always keep the leaflet that comes with your device.