Is it good to hold breath longer (for more counts) when swimming laps?

Question

I usually swim 1, 2, 3, breath (freestyle) ... but then was able to do 1, 2, 3, 4, breath (always on the same side, kinda bad?) then 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, breath...

Is it good to try to do this (hold breath for longer) or should I breathe more frequently? I watch some people who look like they know what they are doing and they breath every 2 strokes even. I don't know what is right.

Answer 1

what you're doing sounds a lot like a drill we do at my club. We start out with breathing every three strokes, then every five, then every seven, then every nine and then we latter down 9,7,5,3. It's difficult but it helps with sprinting because you generally want to take fewer breaths, if any, during a sprint race. I recommend being consistent and either breathing every three or every five during practice (unless you are practicing your sprints!) and then as little as possible during a sprint race ( for longer distances such as a 500, 800 or the mile i would recommend either every three or five). Since keeping your head down causes less drag while you are swimming then not breathing as often while racing can be good.... however, but don't hold your breath so long you start to get a headache or become a little woozy because you're not getting enough oxygen. ha ha.

to address the double breathers: NOT GOOD. Don't breathe every two! It slows you down and causes you're stroke technique to suffer as well. and as you know, swimming is all about the technique.

Have fun!

Answer 2

Hey,

I've been swimming for around 3 years, I'm not a professional coach, but I think I know what I do.When going for speed, during sprints, you should breathe less frequently, that way you glide more, and get more chances to use your arms.  But, what you're talking about, well, it depends on what you want. anything is good, personally, i mixed my style. By holding your breath longer you're training yourself , so in sprints you won't breathe as often and thus, achieve more speed. When doing resistance ( 100 laps non-stop or something like that) you should breathe every 3 arm strokes, and do it calmly.

Hope I helped a bit.

Answer 3

for a sprint, less is good but not too little. and for long distances every 3 is good

Answer 4

I've been swimming for 7 years. With freestyle breathing it is good to breath every 3 or every 5 during practice. When you are sprinting try breathing as little as you can but don't wait untill your dying for air. Some really good swimmers that have what is called a "lope" when they breath every other stroke. If good swimmers do that it usually is a habit, though not a good one. It's best to not breath every 2 strokes because it causes your stroke to be uneven and makes one arm work harder than the other, which can also mess up other strokes.

Good Luck!