Swimming breathing question

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2011-04-02 12:44 PM

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Subject: Swimming breathing question

I pretty much learned how to swim last summer using a swim coach.    She told me not to blow out when my face was in the water and only exhale/inhale when my head is turned up for air.  I used this method swimming through the summer and doing my first sprint tri.

I took a swim clinic today (different coach), and he told me that was wrong and that I should always blow out when my face is in the water and should only inhale when my face was out of water.

As you can tell I'm a total noob to swimming and am totally confused.  Who's right?

Thanks for any advice!



Edited by mom2reese 2011-04-02 12:44 PM

2011-04-02 12:51 PM
in reply to: #3426567

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Champion
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Subject: RE: Swimming breathing question
I'm not an expert swimmer, but the most common advice I've heard is to breathe out continuously (albeit only slightly) while swimming.
2011-04-02 1:01 PM
in reply to: #3426567

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Subject: RE: Swimming breathing question
Yep, exhale slowly while your face is in the water.  I'm a horrible swimmer and started out doing as you've been told by not breathing with my face in the water and quickly found myself gassed after maybe 50M, since you're basically holding your breath then.  Plus I always felt like I was rushing and gasping for air when I turned to breathe.  Learning to exhale with my face in the water allowed me to quickly up that to several hundred meters and then move on to all the other flaws.
2011-04-02 1:47 PM
in reply to: #3426567

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Subject: RE: Swimming breathing question
Breathe out underwater.
2011-04-02 2:20 PM
in reply to: #3426567

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Subject: RE: Swimming breathing question
Breathe out underwater.  You're face should only be out of the water for a second or two at most, don't waste precious time breathing out.  You have the ability to breathe out underwater.  You don't have the ability to breathe in.  Breathe in when you can, breathe out when you can.
2011-04-02 2:40 PM
in reply to: #3426567

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Master
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Subject: RE: Swimming breathing question
In my opinion your first coach either didn't know what she was talking about or you misunderstood her.  You need to exhale when your face is in the water so you can inhale when it's out.

I also find that the harder I exhale underwater the more air I can take in, so when sprinting I'm blowing out very forcefully underwater where at a slower pace I'm just kind of gently exhaling.

2011-04-02 2:47 PM
in reply to: #3426607

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Subject: RE: Swimming breathing question
Dave Luscan - 2011-04-02 2:47 PMBreathe out underwater.
X2....everything has been said...
2011-04-02 3:19 PM
in reply to: #3426567

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Subject: RE: Swimming breathing question
mom2reese - 2011-04-02 10:44 AM

I pretty much learned how to swim last summer using a swim coach.    She told me not to blow out when my face was in the water and only exhale/inhale when my head is turned up for air.  I used this method swimming through the summer and doing my first sprint tri.

I took a swim clinic today (different coach), and he told me that was wrong and that I should always blow out when my face is in the water and should only inhale when my face was out of water.

As you can tell I'm a total noob to swimming and am totally confused.  Who's right?

Thanks for any advice!

do you hold your breath when running or biking? Then don't do it swimming. :D the only difference is that the inhale is a little quicker than running/biking. Breath out underwater in a controlled fashion, and turn your head to inhale when you are done breathing out. For me, it's every 4-8 strokes, or possibly every 2, depending on my pace, etc. The only time I hold it at all is in the middle of a flip turn.

Hang in there, one of these days it'll all "click" for you! :D

John

2011-04-02 3:28 PM
in reply to: #3426567

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Subject: RE: Swimming breathing question
What everyone else said. When your exhale/inhale is matched with your exertion, it feels very natural...however this doesnt come naturally, you have to practice it. Think of inhaling a "sip" of air, rather than a "gulp" of air, and exhaling continuously int eh water at a rate that empties your lungs just enough to take the next sip. YOu don't need to empty ALL the air out of your lungs, just enough to take in some fresh air to mix around in your lungs.
2011-04-02 5:20 PM
in reply to: #3426567

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Subject: RE: Swimming breathing question

Thanks everyone!

When I started with the lessons, I WAS blowing out underwater, but she actually told me to stop and hold my breath underwater ???    I feel really dumb now, but hey, at least now I know

The coach today said my strokes and other mechanics were good, so at least I was not screwed up there, LOL.

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