I haven't even posted here much, and feel a bit nervous about starting a new thread! But here goes.
If this subject has been :dedhorse: please point me in the direction of where (and how) to find old threads.
I have taught myself to bilateral breathe for a couple of reasons -- one, it helps my form to balance on each side, and two it will help in any OW swims in triathlons I do.
On another forum that I belong to, there is discussion of uni vs. bilateral breathing when swimming for speed. Now, I will NEVER in my lifetime set or even meet any speed records :rofl: ! But it might be nice to finish my yardages a little quicker. Since the other forum is of lesser swim skill, I pose the question to you here. The observation seems to have been made that bilateral breathing is used for slower workouts and to work on technique, but when racing and speed work, most if not all breathe unilaterally on their preferred side.
Is there truth to this observation, and are there other tips about breathing technique that you might have to offer.
Thanks,
Nancy
....bilateral breathing is used for slower workouts and to work on technique, but when racing and speed work, most if not all breathe unilaterally on their preferred side.
I'm relatively new to swimming and started out breathing to one side only. After injuring my left shoulder I was forced (because of the pain) to learn to breathe to the other side. I can now breathe comfortably to either side and generally breathe on a 2-3-2 pattern unless I am in a set where I need all the air I can get. Then I breathe to one side only, but still will switch sides every few lengths. I've been told by our local age group coach (also happens to be my wife) that even in sprints (racing) a swimmer should breathe to either side in order to keep track of the competition.
BTW: When I swim a 50 free, I will only take 3 breaths for the entire race and I don't even think about what's happenning in the other lanes. Just get down and back as fast as I can.
....bilateral breathing is used for slower workouts and to work on technique, but when racing and speed work, most if not all breathe unilaterally on their preferred side.
I'm relatively new to swimming and started out breathing to one side only. After injuring my left shoulder I was forced (because of the pain) to learn to breathe to the other side. I can now breathe comfortably to either side and generally breathe on a 2-3-2 pattern unless I am in a set where I need all the air I can get. Then I breathe to one side only, but still will switch sides every few lengths. I've been told by our local age group coach (also happens to be my wife) that even in sprints (racing) a swimmer should breathe to either side in order to keep track of the competition.
BTW: When I swim a 50 free, I will only take 3 breaths for the entire race and I don't even think about what's happenning in the other lanes. Just get down and back as fast as I can.
