Are you a new swimmer struggling to breathe easy or catch your breath while swimming? Don't worry, you're not alone. In swimming, breath control is one of the hardest parts of swimming, and mastering it can be your key to longer, more enjoyable swimming sessions. Here are six key tips to help you breathe easier.

1. Achieve the Proper Body Position

As a swimmer, your body position in the water can significantly impact your performance. Incorrect posture can make swimming more challenging and leave you gasping for air. Ensure that your body remains horizontal while your body should sit high in the water. You want your shoulders and butt at the surface while keeping your spine in a straight line from your head down to your feet. Avoid positions that involve a raised head and sinking legs as this can break your spinal alignment. Perfecting your body position may take some practice, but it is crucial for efficient and effortless swimming.

2. Rotate Your Body

When doing the freestyle stroke, rotation from side one to the other is essential. This action evenly distributes the workload across your muscle groups, including your lat and back muscles, which makes your stroke more efficient and less tiring and it makes rotating your head to breathe even easier. A common mistake among new swimmers is swimming flat without adequate rotation, leading to breathlessness. Swimming flat also make it harder to turn your head to inhale air when it is time to breathe. Aim to improve your rotation, synchronize your head rotation with your body for easier, more effective breathing.

3. Don’t Hold Your Breath

Holding your breath while swimming creates tension in your muscles and builds up carbon dioxide in your system. This practice can result in rushed, inefficient breathing. As an alternative, you should focus on also either breathing in or out. This involves a constant, gentle exhalation through your mouth and nose while your face is submerged. Then when you rotate your head and mouth out of the water, you will want to focus on inhaling only. You don’t have time to both exhale and inhale when your face is out of the water. By exhaling while your face is submerged, you will be able to inhale a lungful of air when you turn your head to breathe, enhancing your breath control and overall swimming experience.

4. Don’t Rush The Breath

Maintain a rhythmic, relaxed breathing style when swimming. Quick gasps of air or holding your breath will cause tension in your body and can negatively affect your swimming technique. Aim for controlled breathing, exhaling underwater, and taking calm breaths when your head is turned to the side. Think about going for a brisk walk or jog. That is the same type of breathing rhythm you will want while swimming at an easy to moderate effort.

5. Don’t Kick Too Much

Your legs possess some of the largest muscles in your body. Working them at high intensity will demand a lot of oxygen, which can cause you to need to breathe quickly. Remember, in freestyle swimming, your legs should balance your body and provide minimal propulsion. Avoid kicking too hard and instead focus on maintaining a balanced, steady leg motion. In long distance swimming, a 2 beat kick while give you the balance and propulsion your stroke needs without forcing you to run out of air too quickly.

6. Swim at a Comfortable Pace

As a new swimmer, you may find it tempting to swim faster to maintain your momentum. However, swimming at a controlled pace requires better technique and balance, ultimately helping you swim better. While speed may seem exciting, it can often lead to quick exhaustion and the need to breathe quickly and often. Slow down and focus on your technique. You should aim to control your movements and most importantly, manage your breathing as a result.

The path to becoming a successful swimmer requires a lot of work on techniques beyond just stroke performance. Learning how to control your breathing and optimize your body's movements in the water will make a world of difference in your swimming. Start implementing these tips today and discover the positive changes in your next swim session.

Breathe Easy: 6 Tips To Conquer Breathing While Swimming