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?
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Former Member
Well at the beginning of this thread I thought we were talking about the useless 3-5-7-9 drills because when most people say "hypoxic" in the sport of swimming, that's what they mean. I do endorse SDK's and I try to train just like I compete. My SDK count has slowly crept up over the years, indicative of some adaptation.
I guess I should have clarified. By wanting to improve my "hypoxic capacity" I do not mean that I want to improve my capacity for hypoxic sets; what I mean is that I want to be able to to stay underwater for greater lengths of time so I can work on holding streamline longer, do SDKs off the turn, and not "rush" my first pull (which I tend to do). I would be considered at somewhat of a "starting point" in this respect, since I just returned to swimming (after doing age group when I was a kid) only 3 1/2 months ago. So far my technique and endurance have improved immensely; now I'd like to start working on the finer details (such as referenced above).
Also, I apologize if I opened up a can of worms by using the term "hypoxic." I didn't realize this was such a controversial subject! (We always did hypoxic sets when I was a kid, and didn't know that people are now questioning their effectiveness.)
Well at the beginning of this thread I thought we were talking about the useless 3-5-7-9 drills because when most people say "hypoxic" in the sport of swimming, that's what they mean. I do endorse SDK's and I try to train just like I compete. My SDK count has slowly crept up over the years, indicative of some adaptation.
I guess I should have clarified. By wanting to improve my "hypoxic capacity" I do not mean that I want to improve my capacity for hypoxic sets; what I mean is that I want to be able to to stay underwater for greater lengths of time so I can work on holding streamline longer, do SDKs off the turn, and not "rush" my first pull (which I tend to do). I would be considered at somewhat of a "starting point" in this respect, since I just returned to swimming (after doing age group when I was a kid) only 3 1/2 months ago. So far my technique and endurance have improved immensely; now I'd like to start working on the finer details (such as referenced above).
Also, I apologize if I opened up a can of worms by using the term "hypoxic." I didn't realize this was such a controversial subject! (We always did hypoxic sets when I was a kid, and didn't know that people are now questioning their effectiveness.)
