Sorry, I know this is a tired topic. What I'm wondering is whether anyone has tips for combining flips turns with a good breathing rhythm. I can do flip turns, but I always feel like it takes me the better part of the lap to recover my oxygen level (25 yd pool)... then, of course, it's time for another turn. If I do open turns I'm comfortable swimming longer sets and can keep my rest intervals shorter. With flip turns, I'm always out of breath and just don't enjoy it very much. What's the secret?
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Former Member
When I first learned flip turns (about 3-4 years ago) I had to breathe 'into the wall' (the last stroke) and breathe on the first stroke out.
Over last few years av'e refined the technique and conditioning so that in races I don;t have to breathe between the flags and the wall.
There's been a lot of gasping for air and water up my nose to get to that point.
Push yourself a little, and give yourself time. Swimming is one of those animals that take a lot of repetition to refine the movements.
Also, make sure that your breathing throughout the swim is proper. No gasping and blowing the air, breathe normally, exhale under water, the whole time, not with a burst (unless you're breaststroking), cheeks and lips relaxed. Don't don't force the air out, it will take away some precious energy.
When I first learned flip turns (about 3-4 years ago) I had to breathe 'into the wall' (the last stroke) and breathe on the first stroke out.
Over last few years av'e refined the technique and conditioning so that in races I don;t have to breathe between the flags and the wall.
There's been a lot of gasping for air and water up my nose to get to that point.
Push yourself a little, and give yourself time. Swimming is one of those animals that take a lot of repetition to refine the movements.
Also, make sure that your breathing throughout the swim is proper. No gasping and blowing the air, breathe normally, exhale under water, the whole time, not with a burst (unless you're breaststroking), cheeks and lips relaxed. Don't don't force the air out, it will take away some precious energy.
