Hi,
I am a very new adult swimmer, having started learning freestyle in April. I can swim breaststroke well enough to not stop for about 250 yards. But Freestyle really kicks my butt, and after 3 months of practicing everyday, I still cannot do 50 yards non-stop. I can start out breathing every 4 strokes, but halfway through the first 25 yards, I am out of breath and breathing every other stroke. By the time I get through the first 25 yards, I'm practically hyperventilating, and need a good minute to catch my breath. I have asthma, but it's only the freestyle that kills me. Does my body weight have a lot to do with this? (I'm overweight and I'm trying to lose it, and have been swimming 7 days a week, and weight-training 3 days a week) The coaches/instructors I've worked with all say that I have good form in the water for someone who has only just learned the stroke (of course there are things I need to improve on), and that I will improve over time. But it is SO frustrating to not be able to see progress in this area.
Any advice besides being patient and keep swimming??? I would so appreciate it!
Thanks,
Tina
Former Member
Six years ago, I started swimming in January 2003 - more or less a total beginner. I did breaststroke primarily for about a year, then incorporated freestyle over a six month period. Getting the breathing down is extremely difficult. As others point out, when you move your head to gain air, your legs sink, and that makes swimming much more difficult.
Lessons are a great idea. If you can't get them, be very patient. It takes a long time to get used to an athletic endeavor in which you have to figure out when to breathe.
The good news is that your difficulties are typical and that if you enjoy swimming now, you will enjoy it much more when you have gotten better at breathing in the water.
Six years ago, I started swimming in January 2003 - more or less a total beginner. I did breaststroke primarily for about a year, then incorporated freestyle over a six month period. Getting the breathing down is extremely difficult. As others point out, when you move your head to gain air, your legs sink, and that makes swimming much more difficult.
Lessons are a great idea. If you can't get them, be very patient. It takes a long time to get used to an athletic endeavor in which you have to figure out when to breathe.
The good news is that your difficulties are typical and that if you enjoy swimming now, you will enjoy it much more when you have gotten better at breathing in the water.
What im getting at is you have to pace yourself and take short breaths..? Or is there anyway to do freestyle and take a 1-2 sec. breath while maintaining momentum/speed?
I also had alot of difficulty with feeling out of breath doing freestyle when I returned to swimming after a ten year break. My advise is not a quick fix. It is a more gentle, longer term approach but it will work:
1) Search Youtube for good "freestyle swim technique" videos. There are some very good videos that have been posted by expert swimmers and coaches. Good stroke technique is vital and will increase your efficiency thus reducing your oxygen requirements.
2) Use a leg float for the majority of your workout while your developing/improving your stroke and breathing technique. This will automatically reduce your need for oxygen because your legs are not active, and it will help you concentrate on your arm stroke and breathing techniques. It also allows you to swim comfortably at a slower pace. As you start to feel your stroke and effeciency improving, start doing a percentage of your workout without the leg float. In otherwords, try doing 90% of your workout with the float, and 10% without the float for 4-6 weeks. Then try an 80%/20% ratio for 4-6 weeks. And so on, and so on.
3) Breath every two strokes and concentrate on your breath/stroke timing and your exhaling just as much as your inhaling.
Final Note: Learning to swim well is a long term project. I know several serious swimmers who have been at it for years and they still feel like they have not mastered their stroke. Stick with it and work on the baby steps, and you will get better.
About Me: I'm 45 and got back into the pool in October 2008. I now swim 8-10 miles a week and have completed three open water events (2 miles each). I have lost twenty pounds. I work on my stroke/technique every single time I get in the water. My latest challenge is bilateral breathing.
I would start by breathing every stroke if necessary.
Not "if necessary", just breath every other stroke. You are not racing, breath as often as you need. You can worry about breath control later, if ever.
When I first got back into swimming, I did a LOT of backstroke because I had trouble catching my breath.
Thinking back on it, I think it took me a long time to get my lungs back in shape, so don't be discouraged.
Including some of the suggestions above:
1. Be sure to exhale underwater before you breathe in.
2. Breathe every 2 strokes for now instead of every 4
3. Slow down. This should help you relax a bit and reduce the demand for oxygen.
Bi-lateral breathing means being able to roll and take breaths on both sides. If you breath every 3 strokes you will breath on opposite sides each time. Some swimmers feel they have a more balanced stroke if they can bi-lateral breath. If you swim ow it can be helpful because you can see both ways without stopping and lifting your head.
It also prevents sore necks that swimmers develop when they tend to breath more to one side than the other. (me)
I am new too.... can someone explain bi-lateral breathing to me... I dont even know if a stroke is one arm movement, or two...
what a newbie question?
I live on a six acre pond, I began swimming a daily lap around it 52 days ago, and am just now questioning my lack of swimming knowledge, or coaching. This forum has helped me alot tonight. I estimate the distance around my pond to be about 1700 feet, or a third of a mile, and currently I can swim that in about 12 minutes!
