POWERbreathe: "Dumb-bells for Your Diaphragm"
POWERbreathe is an "inspiratory muscle trainer" designed to increase lung capability by exercising the muscles that control breathing. More or less, you blow into the tube against a spring-loaded valve. They also claim the POWERbreathe can help with asthma, although they caution it won't replace your medicine completely.
I don't see an American retailer off hand (I didn't look too hard), but it appears they're available in the UK for about 30 pounds, including the "Iron Girl" model in pink.
Product Page [Powerbreathe.com via Coolest Gadgets]
the latest
latest episodes
FYI ... these are available in the US at Gaiam (I believe they are the importer) ... see http://www.gaiam.com/retail/product/95-1006_MSTR ... I've also seen them at "finer retailers" that carry Gaiam stuff.
Creative Health Products sells to the US, it seems.
Earlier model is available in U.S. at
http://www.amazon.com/Gaiam-Power-Breathe-Turbocharger-Green-Light/dp/B000KJFJDE/ref=sr_1_1/002-9968461-7662404?ie=UTF8&s=sporting-goods&qid=1188879227&sr=1-1
Why don,t ye buy a bunch of balloons!
Here is a way earlier model:
http://blog.modernmechanix.com/2006/03/29/breathing-balloon-for-big-breasts/
The first poster's link is accurate for buying in the US direct from Gaiam (the original page referenced in the post gets them from us). We don't have the fancy Ironman/Irongirl version on our site for some reason, but otherwise it's the same.
(Disclosure: I work for Gaiam IT)
The other option is just to grab air purifying respirator with HEPA cartridges and start wearing it around the house. Not only will you protect yourself against asbestos, toxic particulates, airborne radioactive contamination, and poison dust thrown by ninjas (full face only) but its hands-free operation allows for knitting or the playing of Wii. No annoying mouthpiece, either.
I wonder how long before someone pops too many alveoli and sues them for all they're worth.