Swimming: Today I was asked, “How Important is to Breath out of Both Sides When Swimming?”
“How important is it to breath out of both sides when swimming? This morning the guy who is working with me noticed that I am only inhaling water when I breathe to the right side. From that point on I was breathing only on the left and did not have nearly as many issues. He also said I was keeping my head in a better position when I breathe out of the left.”
It is very important.
One of the main reasons, is the exact reason you’re sucking water on your right; muscle imbalances. When we always breath to one side, we get stronger on that side, pulling on the opposite side. I have seen a 22 minute miler on the table, with an excessively overdeveloped right side. This can lead to overuse syndromes of that side, under use syndromes of the opposite side, as well, as visible muscle size differences.
Another thing to think about is whether or not you’re ever planning on doing an open water swim. Unilateral swimmers are bound to get hit in the face with waves on the side you breathe. This is very uncomfortable and can lead to an unsuccessful race; drinking in lots of nasty lake water, and/or salt water which can lead to vomiting.
1st off I would suggest buying a snorkel, and a nose clip. I like the metal nose clips. This will enable you to swim while taking the breathing out of the equation, strengthening both sides equally. You don’t have to use the snorkel every swim for the whole distance, but just use it for 100, 200, 500…progression. Use it for your ‘drills’ portion of your swim.
Michael Phelps generally does unilateral breathing, but by lengths of the pool. That means he will breathe right for 25 and then, he will breathe left on the way back. This may help you get stronger breathing to your right without balancing to both sides within the stroke.
Here’s a great drill to do; I like to do this drill with one arm lengthened out in front of me alternating by 25’s.
An example, right arm down, left arm back. The shoulder stays elevated out of the water visibly wiggling.; stretching the straight arm out more to help lift the head to breath.
I will add a video later, if my swim coach is available to film me today.
Even though you’re sucking water right now, trust in the process of bilateral breathing. It will benefit you long term.
Right now, use it in training, everyday you’ll get stronger, a little bit at a time and before long, you’ll be breathing strong out of both sides.
When I first started bilateral breathing I literally thought I was drowning. Now I can swim a mile breathing to my weak side, if I need to. I know you can do it too.
And it’s okay to always have a favorite side you resort to when you’re tired, or breathing hard during intervals.
We all have favorites, I hope this helps.