Thank you for previous replies to my prior question but…. I have researched and am a swimmer myself. I have been told and read that your legs should be used very little to conserve energy on long swims (triathlon). I am trying to help my husband train for a triathlon. He is an avid cyclist and runner. He has a good freestyle stoke but gets extremely out of breath after just one lap (25 yrds) He has only been swimming laps a handful of time since mid January. I tell him he has to train his swim muscles and get used to breathing while swimming. Any suggestion on breathing techniques fo beginners? I have swam competitive since I was little so the breathing thing comes natural and easy for me. Should he exhale slowly in water and a quick breath as he turns his head? Thanks and stay fit!
That’s wonderful that you two are working together!! I swam competitively for 12 years, coached, taught lessons, etc. I just recently began coaching as a tri swim instructor. To be honest a lot of the answers you received are right on the money. Lung capacity boosting will help but for new swimmers all of this is very disconcerting especially if he is a runner. The breathing is opposite. Swimming you should be constantly, but slowly, exhaling as the head is in the water, you want empty lungs when you turn to the side to breath and a quick inhale is ideal, being that if you are on your side too long you sink and have to overcompensate to get back in rhythm. Encourage him to not breathe EVERY stroke. Try going 3-4 strokes without breathing but blowing bubbles through his nose. Perfection in this instance is very much owed to practice. As he gets better push him to count strokes. Emphasize the streamline, allow the body and the current he is creating with his pull to do work for him. Hopefully this helps. Feel free to email!! And GOOD LUCK. Hope you guys kick butt.
Posted on October 16th 2009 in Beginner Triathlete Techniques
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:51 pm
I was a private swim instructor…its very hard to teach this technique quickly so….do a 25 breathing every stroke…trying to get comfortable with the head turning and breathing…he is a runner so…like running you need a rhythm….find a side comfortable to breath on…most likely (if right handed) the right….if you swam get in the water and help him….do 25 at a time…do for instance 4x 25 Lengths then 2 minute break….and again….as far as the legs…short quick kicks…emphasis the kicks on the turns…long strokes and stay streamline to conserve energy…..good luck!!!!
References :
February 3rd, 2010 at 10:57 pm
That’s wonderful that you two are working together!! I swam competitively for 12 years, coached, taught lessons, etc. I just recently began coaching as a tri swim instructor. To be honest a lot of the answers you received are right on the money. Lung capacity boosting will help but for new swimmers all of this is very disconcerting especially if he is a runner. The breathing is opposite. Swimming you should be constantly, but slowly, exhaling as the head is in the water, you want empty lungs when you turn to the side to breath and a quick inhale is ideal, being that if you are on your side too long you sink and have to overcompensate to get back in rhythm. Encourage him to not breathe EVERY stroke. Try going 3-4 strokes without breathing but blowing bubbles through his nose. Perfection in this instance is very much owed to practice. As he gets better push him to count strokes. Emphasize the streamline, allow the body and the current he is creating with his pull to do work for him. Hopefully this helps. Feel free to email!! And GOOD LUCK. Hope you guys kick butt.
References :