3 Triathlon Swimming Technique Tips: Breathing for Freestyle

[@siemglobal]

Awesome advice! These are by far some of the most useful tips I’ve received in my effort to learn swimming. Kudos to you mate!

[@jadben]

You NAILED IT !! Man i love your videos

[@GregStew]

If you're training in a pool and working on breathing, try using a pull buoy at the knees. This takes kicking out of the equation so you can focus on timing the gentle roll to air with your stroke.

[@TriathlonTaren]

Kicking is for suckers!

[@zackfraser6704]

The kicking thing is the biggest for me. I took swim lessons to get started and she instructed me to focus on a “strong kick.” That really fucked up my distance swimming cause I was burning my legs and lungs out, thinking it was benefiting me and I was only out of shape, but in reality I was just killing my body in ways it didn’t need to.

[@TriathlonTaren]

Great thing is, now you know the proper way and you can correct it!

[@graemeporte3105]

Never known Taren chuck out a less than useful video. He my go to information about how to improve my triathlon training

[@JanosZakarias]

I suggest everyone to look at the underwater footage of the first half of a 1500m freestyle pool race (e.g. the london olympics final). it's a masterclass on how to swim using the legs for balance only.

[@TriathlonTaren]

Good point! They barely use their legs!

[@helene3344]

Do you have a link maybe?

[@billybob6604]

Sun yang

[@warriorlink8612]

Going to go swimming tomorrow morning. The swim is my weak area, and I have a hard time floating. Tomorrow I will (1) slow down, (2) kick less, (3) take time to learn to float. Super helpful, thanks!!!

[@alejandrocastro211]

Thank you, this is just what I need to practice

[@brunoaraujo9122]

Amazing tips! Since I've found your channel I can't stop watching your videos

[@TriathlonTaren]

Happy to hear it!

[@GC-wc8wj]

Wow .... Thanks a lot. I’m very excited about these tips I just told my wife and she claims she told me that last week. I don’t think she explained it well enough anyhow I am going to try this tonight for my triathlon training I haven’t swam in 30 years thank you

[@TriathlonTaren]

Hahahahaha... too funny. Good luck, I really hope it helps!

[@evanmacdougall9715]

How do you practice floating? From toddler swim lessons until today I have never been able to float and I sink like a rock no matter how hard I try. My wife can fall asleep floating, but doesn’t know how to teach me how to do it.

[@JudasPriestLiam]

Im confident on the bike, and can run a 10k without walking. But I'm so bad at swimming. It's more the breathing than the technique. I always seem to panic and then throw my form out the window (keeping head above water) at about 100meters. then have to take a breather reset before starting again. This video has been THE BEST at tackling my issue. Taking it easy, and incorporating a pull buoy helps out so much! Thank you!

[@TriathlonTaren]

NICE! Have you taken a look at my blog resource triathlontaren.com/swimonline ? Take a look at the review I did of Total Immersion Swimming, that would probably help you a lot.

[@JudasPriestLiam]

Triathlon Taren Will do! Thanks man!

[@fredrogers2068]

Triathlon Taren mj

[@powerkitemad]

My wife entered me for a triathlon as a non swimmer (I think she's trying to kill me off!!) I am very fit from cycling and running but getting out of breath so quickly. I have been kicking very hard as that is where I am strongest but I think after watching the video, this might be the problem. Off to buy a pullbuoy to see if that helps me. 7 weeks to go :o

[@Metroidam11]

Thank you for the tips! I'm a distance runner who does cycling casually. Never swam competitively before. I'll be sure to use this come spring time

[@TriathlonTaren]

Austin Hernandez right on! First triathlon coming up? Good luck!

[@echtogammut]

These are really good tips. For me the hardest thing is transitioning from pool swimming where I have a lane to keep me swimming straight to open water swimming where I constantly have to look for markers to figure out where I am. I'm seriously tempted to invest in one of those GPS goggles that tell keep you on track.

[@TriathlonTaren]

Thanks! Don't worry about that, learning to sight easily will be invaluable. There's an open water prep video I put together that would help

[@wettspezialist]

if you can, relax your diaphragm. breath out consistent. dont press out the breath.

[@nicki_006]

Thank you! To the point and made sense!

[@AlejandroParker]

Thanks a lot, you really help me. Excelent video and advice.

[@TriathlonTaren]

Thank you for saying that, I really do appreciate you taking the time for the message. Very nice to hear and glad you've found the videos helpful!

[@theweekender25]

I started swimming a couple weeks ago, and things are tough. But these videos make things way easier! I wouldn't have quit...but I've been close

[@TriathlonTaren]

+theweekender25 NICE! It's wild how settling yourself down makes swimming so much more enjoyable. I spent three or four months just learning how to back off and it made all the difference, really gave me the base to build my entire swim fitness program from. Keep at it! By the way, I'm just trying to build up my KZbin channel, if you're comfortable with it I would REALLY appreciate any shares or subscribes you're willing to help with. Good luck!

[@EricVinton]

Buy some swim paddles and buoys and work on your form. I'm not great, but focusing on form helps so much with swimming. In my opinion, swimming form is more important than cycling or running form since you are in the water.

[@TriathlonTaren]

Eric Vinton Totally! In the video I posted yesterday I compare swimming to yoga and thai-chi. It's SOOOOO much about form it's funny

[@patrickmcm]

Thanks for the tips. Excellent!

[@cpy]

The biggest help for me was actually incorporating a pull bouy into my workouts. Noob kicking caused me to be out of breath so quickly, and the bouy helped take that out

[@TriathlonTaren]

Yeah, kicking is a new swimmer's achilles heel!

[@MikeEstevez]

Great post Taren! Thank you

[@TriathlonTaren]

Hope it helped!

[@TriathlonTaren]

If you're just getting into triathlon you might like this video where I explain nuances of each of the triathlon distances kzbin.info/www/bejne/d32vnnWAp9GAm9k

[@tarabai5461]

Easy way to back stroke technic?

[@MissSadara]

Thank you for this video. It's helped me a lot. I'm actually starting to improve in the pool because of getting some of these other things under control, allowing me to breath easier.

[@TriathlonTaren]

NICE! Once you get the breathing under control everything else becomes a snap!

[@auto_math]

Wow. I actually learned something. For once I wasn't thinking "I know all this, tell me how to".

[@JibHyourinmaru]

Thanks bro! I knew when the first I swim, catching breath is the hardest part. yesterday I did breaststroke 200m (8times) nonstop. I think it's a good achievement from me. and now I want to polish my freestyle technique. now I can swim 50m without stop and I want to do more laps.. subscribed!

[@TriathlonTaren]

THANK YOU!

[@angiefox4968]

that was very helpful! thanks!

[@TriathlonTaren]

Angie Fox for sure, thanks for watching!

[@ryangsorensen6]

Good stuff man. Thanks.

[@TriathlonTaren]

Absolutely, glad you liked the video!

[@keithohalloran8523]

Awesome tips thank you 🇨🇮

[@andywrench6754]

smooth tunes!

[@billboyle7886]

Thanks for this video. I need to relax, so I can relax my breathing. I am still worried about catching my next breathe.

[@7DogsWhoGetBeat]

great tips....subscribed

[@TriathlonTaren]

RIGHT ON!! Thanks, I'm really glad you like the channel enough to subscribe.

[@tnewt21]

This is great bro.. Thank you

[@katherinepm4]

Awesome! Thank you. Brand new to the tri world! In the market for a bike now

[@TriathlonTaren]

+katherinepm4 right on, glad you liked the video! I've also got a video on how and when to buy your first triathlon bike. I'm just trying to build up my channel, so if you real really liked the video I've got to ask if you would be willing to help with any shares or subscribes. If that's not cool with you that's totally fine too. Happy bike hunting!

[@katherinepm4]

+A-Race Triathlon Taren yeah, sure thing my friend! I'm starting from scratch (very minimal training), are there any plans you suggest?

[@TriathlonTaren]

+katherinepm4 good for you! I'm actually putting together a "zero to your first triathlon" video. It'll have a minimal training plan within it. Keep your eyes peeled.

[@katherinepm4]

+A-Race Triathlon Taren can't wait! Thank you!

[@royfr8136]

please upload soon

[@TriathlonTaren]

Oh yeah folks, it's that time of year! Here's your annual Ironman Kona World Championship preview for 2016 kzbin.info/www/bejne/bXrXip9mi9d4qc0

[@rajada033]

Thanks

[@plantsarelivingthings2559]

Ok h I suffer from fear of water as soon as nose touch water feel I am dying so very much afraid even cannot wash face with whole water I have to take small sips to clean soap so what to do

[@doodo1509]

good stuff. Thanks!

[@TruthFactsLM57]

Hey Taren, Lew here hitting the big 60 this week took 15 yrs off from racing , and got a swim coach , learned i have alot of little glitches . Legs dragging, head coming up to high. One arm has a slow hesitation glitch , the other moves faster . So working on slowing down , one arm drill to fix each arm. I got alignment board and snorkel, kicked for a month , today I thought i had my kicking down , coach said after 1st 50, still was not kicking, legs were dragging . So frustrated, and I feel all I will be doing is drills , and no swimming, is that ok ? Thank God I bike strong, and have running background, do i have enough time go from a lets say 1:25 Ironman swimmer, to a 1:10 or 1:15 by November ?

[@TriathlonTaren]

Oh yeah, drills are key. If you do nothing but drills for a long time I'm sure you'll be ok in the swim. Have you looked at the Total Immersion review I did at triathlontaren.com/swimonline? TI could do well for you, it worked for me

[@comblast5157]

I don't know how to make my hips rotate for open water swims. I know the shoulder driven stroke which is used for short distances. So can you guide me.

[@darylzazycki59]

Hi taren could u make a video on the total swim technique

[@TriathlonTaren]

I'm actually doing some hard thinking about creating an online swim course with a big series of videos

[@shawndenny8954]

Hey guys, can I learn to swim 2 miles in 6 months? Want to do the ironman I am a marathoner and a biker, just need the swimming... any suggestions appreciated

[@kurtisyorke4394]

great tips Taren, any chance you can do a video on the importance of rest etc

[@TriathlonTaren]

+Kurtis Yorke Solid idea! I've just started to dive into the research of more and better sleep. Anything in particular you're hoping to learn?

[@kurtisyorke4394]

+A-Race Triathlon Taren well I mostly run and seem to 'hit the wall often' I was just after some real knowledge and advice about if I need to rest more or do something else

[@TriathlonTaren]

Awesome topic. I'm no expert in it but here's a blog post from someone I "know" through INstagram www.marthaflorence.com/blog/athletes-need-more-sleep and check out resources from Shawn Stevenson and Ariana Huffington, they're done some good podcasts that I've found really helpful

[@kurtisyorke4394]

+A-Race Triathlon Taren wicked thanks so much man, keep the videos coming!

[@TriathlonTaren]

Thanks man! Keep the comments coming, loving the interaction with everyone that's been picking up lately!

[@vidhijadav1951]

Thanks a lot. It was my second day in swimming classes today. I am learning floating,but l am very afraid when it's time to get away from the wall lol. I am trying to be comfortable in water.

[@TriathlonTaren]

Keep going, I promise it'll get easier and a lot more enjoyable. But starting with floating is the way to start so you're on the right track!

[@mcclaskeyj]

You're absolutely right in regards to keeping a more "relaxed" pace in the water versus trying to push too hard. Once I slowed down, I didn't need rest in between laps. Thanks for the great advice!

[@TriathlonTaren]

Thanks for reaching out, glad you liked the video! Pretty crazy how "slowing down" actually can make you faster at the start right?!

[@JoeDelaney64]

Great tip Taren thanks, my problem is, when im breathing i stop kicking and my legs drop, any tips to maintain the kick when breathing ?

[@TriathlonTaren]

Have you downloaded my free swim drills off my website?

[@user-vk7oj2qj5i]

I am doing my first triathlon in december... i have about 4 months left to train. I have been training for about 2 months. My run is where i am struggling. Oh and its a half ironman. This gave me some tips on my swim (i was doing a lot of long distance kick drills)...looks like ill be switching it up. Ii do have a question though. Do you have to swim freestyle? and can you switch your stroke up? i am pretty comfortable with combat side stroke.

[@TriathlonTaren]

Nope, you never have to swim any stroke. Swim whatever stroke you like. I actually have a buddy who was trying to be on the olympic team when he was younger, he recently got back into triathlons with one fun race, and because he was so unfit he did breastroke the whole swim.

[@billweber1422]

Buy a large life insurance policy before the race.

[@danielporter892]

Thank you

[@israelzerg]

Hi Taren, I just became a fan recently. I did in May my first Sprint (in a pool) and I’m training for an Olympic in September. Do you have any tips/videos of how to properly look where you’re going while swimming in open water, and probably how to combine it with breathing? My wife shot a video of me and I tend to lift the head a lot to look where I’m heading to. Thanks

[@sreeprakashneelakantan5051]

Thanks 🙏

[@sgtanmic77]

good tips

[@TriathlonTaren]

Right on, thanks!

[@darrenseow205]

simply gooooooooooooood

[@andrewpatterson2245]

Great points. I need to work on all of these. Also, I find the music hilariously inappropriate (MC Eiht's "All for the Money").

[@NourLababidi]

excellent info. Thank you

[@TriathlonTaren]

You're so welcome!

[@NourLababidi]

Do you know of a good swimming headphones? I tried Sony Walkman and , The Dash Bragi. All are not really good. Water just come in my ears and then the swimming become stressful

[@TriathlonTaren]

Nour Lababidi actually I've never tried any, but I'll probably try some this coming year

[@NourLababidi]

Thank you for taking the time to share your experience

[@TriathlonTaren]

Nour Lababidi of course!

[@user-ej5mr9th1i]

Hi, any video you would specifically recommend on how to learn to 'float' like you were in this video? Kind regards

[@TriathlonTaren]

Actually yes, I liked the Total Immersion swim program to help figure that out. I'm actually working on a big written guide to sort through each of the online swim training programs, and what each one of them is best for.

[@robertblack1941]

I couldn’t agree more. Total Immersion. Watch Terry Laughlin vidéos on KZbin or join a TI weekend. The first emphasis is on learning to float naturally and balance your body in the water BEFORE adding in freestyle strokes. It really works.

[@TriathlonTaren]

Here's a new video on the Hoka One One Clifton 3s that are some of my favourite long distance runners for triathletes because they've got one of the smoothest rides of any runner I've tried kzbin.info/www/bejne/m6bJYqN_mMuKhZo

[@Swimmer47]

I’ve been studying the Total Immersion methodology and applied it and seen remarkable results without the use of hand paddles, pool buoys and other toys that are alleged to help technique and make you swim faster. Unless you’re going to stay in the pool, where conventional training methods might help win swim meets, I don’t see the advantage of using pool-based training aids help with long distance triathlon swimming. Thoughts?

[@TriathlonTaren]

If you have the luxury of swimming in open water for any portion of the year, great. But most people don't. It's pool or nothing. And since you have to swim to improve at swimming, there's your answer.

[@BucketlistFitRunning]

Solid tips, I remember a little while back trying a hard time trial vs a smooth effort time trial. Smooth effort was faster, I guess my technique really did go to shit.

[@TriathlonTaren]

+BucketlistFit Haha, I had the same thing happen early on. Was a pretty big eye opener.

[@TriathlonTaren]

I just released a new video called "24 Hour Triathlon Nutrition Plan for Beginners" peep it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/rqOvpICcbLyoebM

[@abab676]

What does a-race actually means? Just wonder.

[@TriathlonTaren]

It's your number one priority race of the year

[@jorjaharakal5224]

hey, this was filmed at my local pool!!

[@sheffieldwakefield]

Approved!

[@expertvillageidiot]

Great tips. I am doing 700/750m in a session but still feel out of breath throughout. How slow is slowing down? I feel I am slow but maybe not enough ?

[@TriathlonTaren]

Slow down until you're not out of breath, whatever speed that means for you personally!

[@expertvillageidiot]

Thanks Taron - I'm a 55 yo newbie and trying to increase my distance and efficiency, so slooooooooow is the word!

[@expertvillageidiot]

Just back from a swim session. Quality not quantity. Slowed down the stroke rate to 60 per minute (1 Mississippi, 2 Mississippi etc.) , hip rotation, breathing controlled. Not yet perfect, but I'm getting there!

[@ForgottenKnight1]

@@expertvillageidiot Those are a lot of strokes per minute. Slow down even more and learn to "reach for the water". Imagine being on your toes and trying to reach the ceiling with your fingers. Relax your face and neck while breathing. Do a slight vacuum of your abdominal muscles. Also pay attention to your legs. Are they moving fluidly ? Are you kicking too hard ? Are they always stiff ? having proper leg muscle control is important because the legs consume a lot of your oxygen.

[@K.mersch]

I was wondering why I get a headache when I breathe bi-lateral sometimes? I always blow air out whilst my face is in the water. Sometimes when I switch to breathing every second stroke for about 50m can help get rid of the headache but sometimes it forces me to stop completely until the headache goes away. Any tips?

[@TriathlonTaren]

Can you actually ask this at triathlontaren.com/trainiask ? That’s a new all and a podcast we’re doing so good q’s like this can be heard by more people than answering q’s on social media and having them disappear into social media never never land

[@드림가든]

The 2-beat kick is enough.

[@TriathlonTaren]

Fairly big update for anyone new to seeing this KZbin channel kzbin.info/www/bejne/mZqYdaWjir14fNE

[@TriathlonTaren]

If you're new to triathlon and under if your training is set up properly you might dig this video kzbin.info/www/bejne/gX6XZ59_pL2YnrM

[@TriathlonTaren]

The Olympics is coming up and you better believe that I created a video preview of who I think will win and who I think will be on the podium in Rio. Here it is: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5OzYqB8mtiAhpI

[@TheWildheartmuse]

Captain America undies! Love it!

[@TriathlonTaren]

Speedo!

[@Minsang1st]

A common word for hydrodynamic is streamline

[@aus995]

I only swim backyards. It feels way better on my you know what.

[@EricVinton]

Captain America Speedo!?!?

[@TriathlonTaren]

You better believe it!

[@salwas6346]

I still can't control my breath while swimming 😔😔😔😔.

[@TriathlonTaren]

Download my free swim drills at triathlontaren.com!

[@ahmetakar5017]

Kicking a lot lesss !!! SO !!! Why are you against TWO BEAT Ķick if two beat kicks makes PAUS PAUS as you think .....please anwer.