How to Swim Without Getting Out of Breath

If you can barely make it across the pool without gasping for air, it’s time to work on your head position and breathing pattern! Make a few small changes to your technique and try a few of our favorite drills, and you’ll be breathing easy in no time.

Join Coach Taylor as she helps you refine your body position, breathe the most comfortable and efficient way, and fix your freestyle technique.



Join the Community:

About MySwimPro:

[lexiinator]

I use a snorkel and it’s honestly helped my breathing so much. I would get so much anxiety in the pool and end up crying half way through every session cause I felt like I looked like an idiot. I still get really out of breath from one end of the pool to the other, but it definitely getting easier as I keep swimming :)

[leslieyoder]

I am 76 and just started swim lessons. Can't wait to apply your techniques tomorrow.

[richardwhiteman]

This video is very helpful. I have run a marathon and have gone for 150km bicycle rides. Swimming was something I always feared because of nervous and chaotic breathing. At age 63 I have decided to give swimming a serious GO. I can now manage 25 metres freestyle without gasping. I’ll practice some of these techniques and look forward to being able to swim a reasonable distance without tiring.
I’ll watch more of your videos. Very inspiring.

[irmahernandez]

Awesome advice! Just started a swim class and my biggest issue is breathing! You did a great job showing me what to do. Thank you!

[lisacurran]

New swimmer here so thank you! Who knew swimming would be so hard.

[ZwiftDude]

thanks to this channel i started my first swim yesterday after not swimming since a teen... my first fear of getting back in the pool was 1) the water, then 2) putting and keeping my face in the water 3) worrying my freestyling like a headless chicken would cause people to look at me which affected my breathing, lol... but i got through it! my first session was my first fear so i did it...

but watched a few of your videos so keen on putting those techniques to practice.

can't believe how far my skills have fallen but that's ok, can always get it back with this channel.

[robbyddurham]

I've heard people say, Look at the bottom of the pool. But it didn't get drilled into my head like your explaination did. I'll remember tomorrow. You're a national treasure. I'm not ready to loose the nose clip yet.

[joeekaps]

Thank you so much! I'm just learning how to swim correctly after about 45 years of being in the water, and this short video helped me so much more! Outstanding information 💯 👍

[irianadaniel]

Taylor, You are very good swimming coach. Your explanation is so clear for the beginner. I did not know how to swim properly before. Now, I can swim like Michael Phelps. I can't wait to enter swimming competition. Again, thank you for your good teaching methods.

[stanTrX]

How to avoid swallowing water while breathing?

[wonfchd]

this is by far the most useful video I have come across for a beginner swimmer. I started learning to swim at a late phase in my life (at 53 and now I'm 55) that's why it is much harder for me than the younger folks. thank you

[NancyWhite-hvlo]

Glad to have found this channel! Had the good fortune to start using a pool recently after 11 years of not swimming laps. Realized that 11 year old goggles had to go! Newer goggles are wonderful and made such a difference. I've had to stop between laps for 2 reasons: fear of hitting the wall, having never learned how to rebound to finish the lap; and plain old fatigue (69 yo and haven't worked out in a long time). Second time I went, I finished 5 laps with different strokes within 20-25 minutes. Pretty shoddy, but I am determined to learn how to improve my technique, speed, and agility as time goes on. I will be frequenting your channel for tips!!

[KenCozine]

My swimming technique is different since I swim in the open ocean. I do look up on occasion to get a fix on a landmark on the shore such as a rocky coast area or maybe distant palm trees. Also you're dealing with waves or currents. Sometimes you need to push your head further out of the water to breathe when it's really wavy or you'll get a mouth full of water. For breathing I alternate sides left and right. When I'm swimming I get into a rhythm and my mind seems to drift into a form of meditation.

[thkatandi]

I discovered a great way for me to breath, which is on every 3 then immediately on the next one, both on the left side then repeat on the right. I love it. Just received my snorkel from Finnis, same as yours, pink. I will practice with it tomorrow. Thanks for all your advice. Invaluable.

[anitajenkins]

Thanks, I learned a lot from your video regarding the breathing technique, which is my first main focus to feel comfortable in the water. I started my swimming journey a month ago at 67 years old, in a group setting. Can't wait to apply what I learned from you.

[interviewsbydr.latoriawhit]

Awesome information- love this. Very helpful.

[kayelle]

All your videos are great. Awesome explanations and tips and then putting it all together showing us the drills. Thank you

[bhushankarnik]

Very practical and simple ways of explaining, with actual real swimming strokes in the pool. For a beginner especially 59+ first time learner of swimming, it's a lot of positive encouragement, one's that is not available at my swimming pool like the snorkel set you demonstrated, which I can request at my pool 👌🙏👍

[richardsutherland]

SO helpful THANK YOU Really so encouraging as my daily ‘coach’

[logandouglas]

This was very helpful. I've been swimming with a snorkel and have made a ton of progress without having to choke on water the whole time. Excited to try these drills to get my breathing dialed in.