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
Parents
Former Member
....Is there truth to this observation, and are there other tips about breathing technique that you might have to offer....
I’m a big supporter of alternate (bilateral) breathing. It makes a lot more sense and will undoubtedly allow your body to develop evenly on both sides.
One way to do it is to always breath looking towards the same side of the pool, that way (for each lap) you breathe on the same side for each pool length, but you alternate sides so you still get the balancing benefits. This is an excellent way to get started, and you can always mix it up as you go (for different events, practices, etc.).
In practice I alternate breath now about every 3 pulls on one side (breathe 3x in a row on one side, hold my breath for one more pull on that side, then repeat the process on the other side). Sometimes I still do 2x or 1x on a side before switching. Basically I do whatever is most comfortable at the time, which is what I suggest for others. I highly recommend some form of balanced, alternate breathing. I do this with backstroke as well as front crawl (one length right arm, next length left arm).
Try studying Yoga, and some yogic breathing techniques to improve your breathing (and your swimming in general). Finding a good teacher for instruction is a really good idea here. The method I practice most often (even when I swim) is to start by drawing in the breath using the diaphragm, then expanding the lungs and chest cavity from the bottom up. The exhalation is the reverse (start with the abdomen and collapse the upper chest last.
I think the truth is that you will perform best by taking in as much info as you can on a topic, experimenting with it in thought and in practice, and then doing what feels best.
....Is there truth to this observation, and are there other tips about breathing technique that you might have to offer....
I’m a big supporter of alternate (bilateral) breathing. It makes a lot more sense and will undoubtedly allow your body to develop evenly on both sides.
One way to do it is to always breath looking towards the same side of the pool, that way (for each lap) you breathe on the same side for each pool length, but you alternate sides so you still get the balancing benefits. This is an excellent way to get started, and you can always mix it up as you go (for different events, practices, etc.).
In practice I alternate breath now about every 3 pulls on one side (breathe 3x in a row on one side, hold my breath for one more pull on that side, then repeat the process on the other side). Sometimes I still do 2x or 1x on a side before switching. Basically I do whatever is most comfortable at the time, which is what I suggest for others. I highly recommend some form of balanced, alternate breathing. I do this with backstroke as well as front crawl (one length right arm, next length left arm).
Try studying Yoga, and some yogic breathing techniques to improve your breathing (and your swimming in general). Finding a good teacher for instruction is a really good idea here. The method I practice most often (even when I swim) is to start by drawing in the breath using the diaphragm, then expanding the lungs and chest cavity from the bottom up. The exhalation is the reverse (start with the abdomen and collapse the upper chest last.
I think the truth is that you will perform best by taking in as much info as you can on a topic, experimenting with it in thought and in practice, and then doing what feels best.
