I was watching the duel in the pool USA v Australia and I have a question, Michael Phelps and many others seem to breath on only one side, I have heard many coaches advocate breathing on both sides for a more balanced stroke, Is it now just a preference or what? Just wondering.
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Former Member
I have always preferred breathing "left" and only over the last year have I worked on also breathing right.
I agree that breathing both sides fosters a more balanced stroke. But I haven't seen any evidence that it is an important factor for success. As some have pointed out already - many elite swimmers breathe on one side. At the PanPacs last year I think all four (Jones, Lezak, Walker, Phelps) men on the WR setting 4x100 relay breathed on one side.
I have another thought - you can adapt to being VERY good and efficient breathing on one side instead of just OK breathing on both sides. No evidence either that loping is bad. Phelps and Lezak both have a lope.
I breathe both sides while warming up and warming down. Sometimes breathe both sides on moderate stuff - but when I always breathe left on hard stuff.
I have always preferred breathing "left" and only over the last year have I worked on also breathing right.
I agree that breathing both sides fosters a more balanced stroke. But I haven't seen any evidence that it is an important factor for success. As some have pointed out already - many elite swimmers breathe on one side. At the PanPacs last year I think all four (Jones, Lezak, Walker, Phelps) men on the WR setting 4x100 relay breathed on one side.
I have another thought - you can adapt to being VERY good and efficient breathing on one side instead of just OK breathing on both sides. No evidence either that loping is bad. Phelps and Lezak both have a lope.
I breathe both sides while warming up and warming down. Sometimes breathe both sides on moderate stuff - but when I always breathe left on hard stuff.
