bilateral breathing over-rated?

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phaedrahise

2 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

Dec 23, 2005 5:29 AM

bilateral breathing over-rated?

I just learned how to swim freestyle (TI method) in July. I did a sprint tri in Oct and take Master's swim twice a week. I bilateral breathe every third stroke in training (although in racing I do one side up, then the other side back, to get more air). I never learned any other way, and it seems to balance out my stroke. I see that a few people here have said it's over-rated. Why is that?

dianealkins

2 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

1. Dec 24, 2005 6:29 AM

in response to: phaedrahise

Re: bilateral breathing over-rated?

I don't know if bilateral breathing is over-rated, but its the most effective-controlled breathing method. If your freestyle is smooth and your body is balanced in the water, than the bilateral breathing should eventually feel natural. There is certainly nothing wrong with taking an extra breath here and there, especially if you are flip turning during your practice swims, this might require an extra breath, it takes more energy. Swimming requires alot of breath control, keep at it, and eventually you will do it second nature. Good luck...

RandyMolson

8 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

2. Dec 24, 2005 7:16 AM

in response to: phaedrahise

Re: bilateral breathing over-rated?

Is this a poll? I breathe every 4 strokes/2 cycles, always to the same side. This is part of my unorthodox crawl for a distance workout, not racing. I tend to overdo things and injure myself, so I figure if I limit my breathing, I won?t have the reserves to hurt myself too badly. I thought about playing with a 5 stroke breathing pattern just for fun and symmetry, but haven?t actually tried it. It might make me grow gills.

ferfer85

13 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

3. Dec 25, 2005 9:45 AM

in response to: phaedrahise

Re: bilateral breathing over-rated?

Breathing every 5 may do what you say, limit the amount of air you are taking in. If you were racing 200-300m that would be appropriate. From watching the elites race distance, all breathe more frequently. Start out trying every 3 if you do want to try bilateral breathing.

At this point for me, I no longer have a better side to breathe on, although I was taught to breathe on on the right. I usually begin workouts and races by bilateral breathing and depending on my level of exhaustion (or if the sun is in my eyes), breathe every stroke (on either side)to get more air. That is another benefit to breathing on either side: avoiding the early morning sun blinding you!

jkenny5150

248 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

4. Dec 30, 2005 1:28 PM

in response to: phaedrahise

Re: bilateral breathing over-rated?

Sorry, I posted this on the wrong topic it seems...

"What does everyone have against bilateral breathing? It promotes good body position and balance. Breathing to one side all the time will not be good for your technique in the long run."

Typically, in a distance race, I breathe every 3-2-2-2-3-2-2-2-3...
That way, you stay balanced, but you also maximize your oxygen. Breathing every 5, 7, & 9 is great for practice/drills, but I wouldn't recommend it as the races get longer.

xraytriguy

79 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

5. Dec 30, 2005 11:35 PM

in response to: phaedrahise

Re: bilateral breathing over-rated?

Over the course of a race, one might find that bilateral breathing balances out muscle usage in the shoulders and back. I was always taught that over the course of a swim meet this could make a significant difference as I was competing in several events (from 50M to 1500M) over several days. During the course of a season of practice, it makes sense to breathe bilaterally in order to maximize muscular development and to develop a rhythmic, balanced stroke pattern while promoting pulmonary and vascular improvement. As a triathlete, I think it's a good idea to breathe on both sides because you may need to "sight" a shoreline on your weaker side or you might want to keep tabs on a competitor, or there may be issues with the sun in the early morning. At any rate, I can't think of a disadvantage to learning bilateral breathing.

XrayTriGuy

Doris J48

7 posts since
Jul 9, 2007

6. Jun 3, 2006 9:13 AM

in response to: phaedrahise

Re: bilateral breathing over-rated?

I swim distance, and have managed to teach myself to bilateral breathe, which to be honest, was the best thing I could have done. It makes my stroke much more balanced, and quicker, as I am moving my head less.

I breathe every 3 arm strokes, I find this is best when training on distance. If I fancy a change for a cool down, or at lifesaving training when we race, I have been known to do 5 or 7, but can only do this over a few lengths.

Dec 23, 2005 5:29 AM

bilateral breathing over-rated?

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