How To Make Swim Breathing Easier | Freestyle Swimming Technique Tips

Breathing is probably the largest challenge facing new swimmers. Putting your face into the water isn’t natural; trying to establish the correct movement and timing to get in the required oxygen is something that has to be learned. Heather is here to bring you our top tips!

Breathing is probably the largest challenge facing newbie swimmers. Putting your face into the water isn’t natural; trying to establish the correct movement and timing to get in the required oxygen is something that has to be learned.

We are going to explain how to breathe while swimming front crawl and share tips that will make it feel much easier.

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What swim tips or drills do you have for improving breathing technique when swimming? Leave us a comment!

[mustaphab.]

I have been there, so after many frustrating hours of sessions, days, races... I can say that breathe deeper, belly breathe with the diaphragm, leave yourself time to absorb oxygen, otherwise if the air is only circulated in & out at the upper chest it will dramatically hamper the swim. Do not rush the exhalation, as said leave time to exchange, exhale gradually increasing the blow out. Think of it like jogging/running we never empty our lungs completely. The exhale should be exponential until the head is turned to the side to inhale. Find a rythm that fits the effort level. Hope it helps to someone, cheers ✌️

[avarmauk]

I have decided it is easier to grow gills

[bini]

Thank you . Finally someone explaining the part that you exhale above water as well to empty whatever is left in the lungs. Thank you from a total Newbie Beginner looking forward to learn.

[MaraschinoMary]

I’m 61 years old and have been swimming my entire life, but still struggle with breathing. This is the first time I actually “get” the meaning of controlled breathing. Best video I’ve ever watched about learning this technique.

[carolr]

These tutorials are so helpful. I now find the breathing fairly easy, and I breathe every 6th stroke, AND no more asthma attacks! One thing I never hear anyone talk about is how deep of a breath to take. I find that if I take in the biggest gulp of air I can, there's so much pressure to exhale that I can't control the continuous trickle. So I've been focusing on taking a medium breath. What do you think? FWIW, I'm 68 and swimming for exercise not for racing.

[jaonajackson]

a neighbor of mine have complimented my swimming he was also good with seeing form since he is a professional swimming he gave me a tip of breathing through my arm pit which i thought was silly but it actually helped me when doing the crawl in freestyle long swimming or even laps

[Jkw]

This vid changed my life(!) I could always “swim” but only by keeping my head above water. I could never understand and was never shown how to breathe like this. I watched this vid, practiced and now after decades and decades(!) I am actually really swimming. Tysm!

[niceviewoverthere]

I'm struggling with this but am somewhat determined to overcome my issues. Now 64yo and this is about the only demon I haven't been able to overcome (had a couple of near drowning experiences in my youth). Put me on a high powered motorbike on a racetrack and my heartbeat is normal. I HAVE to overcome this and this video might well help. Thankyou!

[Mannerzs]

These videos are great. I haven't had any swimming lessons since school and I'm 41 years old. In 2019 I swam 400m in 11mins 30 in my first triathlon and last week I was able to do the same 400m course at the same event in 8 minutes just from my own perspiration without any real focus on technique because I wasn't sure what to work on. Now I'm looking to improve further and I'm watching all of your videos; the coaching you guys are providing at GTN is most welcome. Many thanks!

[wardialasad]

I've started swimming two weeks ago abut I know how to swim since I was a kid and never managed to master the breathing technique.
This video simplies the process and I'll try to do practice from tomorrow, wish me luck.

[relaxingnature]

I think the vast majority of people really struggle with this. Thinking about race day (planning to race September 2024), I get so much anxiety thinking about it 😅. I am a terrible swimmer, so the idea of swimming even a mile terrifies me. Will be practicing these tips for many months. Thank you for helping!
Also, not sure if you’ve created a video on this, but can you make a video on “how you know if you’ve made progress in your triathlon training”

Thanks!

[BrianErwin]

much better than the first video you guys did "breathing for beginners." this one wasn't rushed and had better camera angles

[hawkthetraveler]

the actual coaching of drills makes this so much helpful, can't wait to come back and post progress!

[inakalimba]

This is a video that combines beginning basic bubble blowing, with advanced skills using the fins swimming the (half pinnapple) method. I tried it and was rolling, off balance hating every attempt. I realized learning to floating first, then learn the kick with fins, second. Then learn head resting in front of the outstretched led arm, third. Then, rotate head in& out of water would give me the same skills shown in this video.but I must add. Beginners benefit most with bilateral breathing drills. But you all already know that!!

[carlpbrill]

I'm struggling so hard with this right now. It's becoming discouraging. I'm just learning to swim this year.

[benmoussayoucef]

one of the best channel you want to see it every day, they are very motivatibg, thanks so much.

[janee]

These videos are very helpful; I've never been able to breathe properly doing freestyle and now I can see why. Can't wait to practise this when pools reopen after lockdown.

[hemabeeharry]

THANKS FOR YOUR HELP. I'M SO HAPPY TO SEE THAT. I LEARNED SOMETHING WITH YOU . I'm From MAURITIUS

[raggyomar]

Really good advice.
I’m a confident swimmer but have just done my first sea swim and really struggled with my breathing! I’m hoping it was all the other new distractions that are different from the pool. Need to get more practice so I can aim for my first tri.