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anyone know any ways to improve my breathing. i cant hold my breath for very long and i know i shouldnt be breathing as many times as i do.

also, in my fly/breast, when breathing lately, i breathe in water and choke, its happened in the last 2 meets, ideas??

2006-07-20 07:18:54 · 20 answers · asked by Carrie 2 in Sports Swimming & Diving

20 answers

One of the best ways to improve in the 'breath holding' area is to do breath control sets. Depending on what level your swimming is, an example of a set like this would be 5 200's on 3:30, breathing every 3, 5, 7, 5 strokes, by 50. You won't be able to go terribly fast, but that's not the point. Try to hold your stroke together, even during the last half when you really want to quit. No-breath sprints are also a personal favorite. 10 25's on :40 or so.

Running will help improve cardio overall, but if you want to get better at swimming, you should swim.

Not being a breastroker or flyer, I only have beginner's advice. For breast, really work on getting up out of the water - use your shoulders and abs, even though breast is a predominantly legs stroke. This helps with distance per stroke, and speed, as well. In fly, concentrate on picking up your chin when you want to breathe, not pushing yourself up high out of the water. This only slows you down, and tires you more quickly, probably ending up in swallowing water.

2006-07-20 09:32:43 · answer #1 · answered by AJH 1 · 0 0

Exercise to strengthen your core - Pilates and Yoga are best.

Focus on your breathing every day. Deep, slow breathing through the abdomen, not the chest. In through the nose (no mouth breathing). Hold without tensing up. Then release slowly back through the nose.

At swim practice, do repetitive strokes while increasing length of time between breathing. First 2 laps, breath every 4th stroke. Next 2 laps breath every 6th stroke. Next 2 laps, back to breathing every 4th stroke. Next 2 laps breath every 8th stroke. Next 2 laps, back to breathing every 4th stroke.

For exhaling, when your nose crests out of the water exhale hard then breath. The exhale clears your nasal passage of the water sitting there. Your inhale should then be clean. Complete your inhale before breaking the plane of the water again.

2006-07-20 07:26:47 · answer #2 · answered by kja63 7 · 0 0

Just practice holding your breath, on land and under water. You'll probably be able to hold your breath twice as long on land as underwater.

Also try to not think - your brain uses oxygen. If you can find a way to zone out and just swim, that will help.

As for your choking, that's probably because you're trying to breathe out and in in the same upstroke. Exhale when your head is under, because your arms are compressing your chest anyway as they come back and down.

2006-07-20 07:22:49 · answer #3 · answered by Brian L 7 · 0 0

Honestly, you just have to practice. Start out taking two strokes, then breath. Bump it up over time and you'll be able to hold your breath longer. I used to swim fly so I know how you feel. That was the only thing that helped me.

2006-07-20 07:23:57 · answer #4 · answered by marieandlucaspape 3 · 0 0

Per my experience, needing extra breaths is your body's way of telling you it needs more oxygen for the muscles being worked. Try running/jogging or other heavy cardio workout with focus on breathing onoly when you need it, not because you think you do. Also straight conditioning: train hard. You may not need the extra breaths, but you take them out of habit. Breating control is a big part of running and any other heavy exertion.

2006-07-20 07:23:45 · answer #5 · answered by fricka 2 · 0 0

You probably learned to exhale all of your air when you submerge, instead of learning to hold your breath underwater which strengthans your lungs. You wait until you are about to surface then do a slow exhale, then a deep inhale. Try and find a swim instructor who can work with you on learning rhythmic and bi-lateral breathing techniques.

2006-07-20 07:27:50 · answer #6 · answered by Signilda 7 · 0 0

take a big breathe and when u go under water blow through Ur nose it helps u with speed, and it keeps u up so the bottom part of Ur body doesn't sink. and make sure u close ur mouth before u hit the water so u don't choke.

2006-07-20 08:23:15 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

if you take a big breathe before you go under hold it in and then when you feel the need for air usually blowing bubbles out of your nose helps to not have to take another breathe as quick.

2006-07-20 07:20:47 · answer #8 · answered by Shelly 3 · 0 0

have you tried breathing in with your mouth and exhaling with your nose? that way water won't enter your nose when you swim. :D

practice quick breathing, where you take short breaths, but enough to hold it for a long period of time :)

2006-07-21 18:35:05 · answer #9 · answered by yawmee 3 · 0 0

You should actually practice holding your breath. I used to be on swimteam. Also do cardio you'll improve your indurance and therefore be able to breath better. Running and swimming more often are great for that!

2006-07-20 07:20:49 · answer #10 · answered by Worried Rachel 2 · 0 0

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