freestyle

hesus2003

doing some freestyle swimmers with view to doin a tri in the future,just wondering is it better to take a breath after every 2nd of every 4th stroke?just wondering what way people usually do it

AngryHippie

3rd is the best for training, it means you aren't always breathing on the same side and avoid any rsi risks.
It also means that you have options if you have heavy waves or other swimmers on one or other side splashing you when swimming.
Other than that its totally down to preference.
Sprinters use 2 stroke breathing as they can get more air in faster. most distance swimmers settle into a 3 breath pattern until the push for the finish.
Watch Dennis Cottrel's swimmers in the olympics in the 1500, thats the kind of smooth technique and rhythm you'd be shooting for in an ideal world.

swimmer_hoop

Breathe every two. I would suggest that 90+% of Freestyle medallists over 50m in London will be breathing every 2.

2old4dacold

swimmer_hoop wrote: »

Breathe every two. I would suggest that 90+% of Freestyle medallists over 50m in London will be breathing every 2.

if breathing every two, make sure to alternate sides for the reasons outlined by AngryHippie

AngryHippie wrote: »

3rd is the best for training, it means you aren't always breathing on the same side and avoid any rsi risks.

It also means that you have options if you have heavy waves or other swimmers on one or other side splashing you when swimming.

okane1

swimmer_hoop wrote: »

Breathe every two. I would suggest that 90+% of Freestyle medallists over 50m in London will be breathing every 2.

I reckon its the opposite. In sprints you do not breath much. Every time you breath, you rotate your shoulder which increases your water resistance.

When I used to sprint (25sec 50m), I used to breath twice on each length.
I must watch the swimmers in London, see what the pros do.

swimmer_hoop

okane1 wrote: »

I reckon its the opposite. In sprints you do not breath much. Every time you breath, you rotate your shoulder which increases your water resistance.

When I used to sprint (25sec 50m), I used to breath twice on each length.
I must watch the swimmers in London, see what the pros do.

I meant over 50m as in longer distances then 50m.

AngryHippie

Try and alternate sides. I always found every third breath worked well for me, that way I was getting plenty of 02 but still keeping a rhythm that I could sustain with my stroke. I find that every second stroke is good for short intense sets, but its hard to keep a balanced stroke, and I always slipped back into a choppy straight arm instead of a smooth high elbow.
Other risks with a two include depending on one arm too much and hyper-extending that arm while breathing.
Try both and see which is more comfortable, but as a matter of priority I would certainly spend a good bit of time working on my weaker side if I were you, just so the option is there.