How can I learn to hold my breath underwater longer?

Question

How can I learn to hold my breath underwater longer?

Answer 1

To stay longer under water, you need to increase your cardiovascular abilities.

This is a two step process, you want to make your heart and your lungs stronger.

1. to exercise your heart, it is very simple: any cardio activity such as aerobics, biking, jogging or sprinting will help you build up stamina

2. exercise your lungs. holding air in your lungs and keeping it in is stupid (as suggested above), it will not help you increase your lung capacity. The reason you cannot hold your breath under water as you can in normal situation is due to the pressure on your lungs by the water. You need to adjust your body to this and you do so by doing the following exercise before each swim:

While making sure your chest is under water (up to your neck)take a normal breath then then go under water and breathe out. repeat this for 10-15 mins before you swim. You don't need to take deep breaths but you can once you get used to it, do not put too much pressure, it's just like any other workout do not try to lift 200 lbs at first.... Good luck

Answer 2

1. Start out with some simple breathing exercises. Breathe in through your nose, out through your mouth. Do this lightly for about thirty seconds, then breathe a little heavier for another thirty seconds.

   2. Take a massive gulp of air and hold it for as long as possible. You should time it to see how long you can hold, and from there you can get a reference of to how much you grow.

   3. Repeat these steps 3-4 times per session. It is not recommended to do this any more, as it could damage your lungs and body. Try one session in the morning and one session, at night if you wish.

   4. Keep practicing and before you know it, you will be able to hold your breath for minutes.