I've been wanting to start this thread for a while-- we have one about flutter kicking, SDK, and speed. If I may be so bold, I'd like to see one on how to improve your capacity for hypoxic sets.
After getting back into swimming about 4 months ago, I have noticed a decrease in my ability to handle hypoxic sets, and in general, in my ability to stay underwater for any significant length of time. I find myself trying to get to the surface as soon as possible after turning at the wall so I can get some air. I know this is slowing me down significantly.
As for breathing while actually swimming, I seem to have no problems-- I am pretty much a bilateral breather (every three strokes). It's when I'm coming into the wall or leaving the wall where I have problems, as I can't seem to hold my breath and am always breaking the cardinal rule of not breathing while in the "red zone."
We do at least one hypoxic set per day, and not surprisingly, I usually have problems (although I do try to make it).
Any tips for how to improve, or does this just come with practice and increased aerobic capacity?
As a somewhat beginning swimmer, I find that the boring 3-5-7 hypoxic sets FORCE me to work on efficiency in my stroke. When I started swimming it took me 22-25 strokes per 25 yards and there was certainly no way I could breathe every 7th stroke while splashing around that way. When we did (or do) hypoxic sets, I had to force myself to concentrate on keeping a long stroke and rolling from my core in order to finish the assigned set. Not that I have a very efficient stroke, but my stroke count is down to 14-16 per 25 yards. So, there IS value in hypoxic sets depending on what you want to get out of them.
As a somewhat beginning swimmer, I find that the boring 3-5-7 hypoxic sets FORCE me to work on efficiency in my stroke. When I started swimming it took me 22-25 strokes per 25 yards and there was certainly no way I could breathe every 7th stroke while splashing around that way. When we did (or do) hypoxic sets, I had to force myself to concentrate on keeping a long stroke and rolling from my core in order to finish the assigned set. Not that I have a very efficient stroke, but my stroke count is down to 14-16 per 25 yards. So, there IS value in hypoxic sets depending on what you want to get out of them.
