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.
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[@richardwhiteman7429]

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.

[@Pinkymortgage]

You are inspiring to pick it up at 63! Good luck!

[@leslieyoder8280]

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

[@myswimpro]

That's awesome! Good luck, stay patient, and most importantly have fun :)

[@farleyfernandez7165]

Same here and older gentleman who wants to learn how to swim . Breathing is where I struggle mightily.

[@nihoor8471]

@@farleyfernandez7165me too age 67

[@granand]

I am 51 and started I am using plank not side ways and coming out of water and I see I am not able breath or breath enough by mouth and I am done .. struggling

[@kalpnasavale1630]

I am 33 started swimming I was feeling I am super late too learn.

[@bhushankarnik7948]

Thanks!

[@n.sharada2888]

Bro for them it's not even 1 dollar

[@PercussionTV]

Thanks!🤟 I was looking for this kind of teaching and advice.

[@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 :)

[@billgreenidge6740]

I really appreciate all the sincere effort these experts put into teaching the most complicated swimming technique first. I put on a pair of fins, lean back, kick my feet, and while on my back, move through the water like a submarine, and breath freely the entire time. I can swim almost effortlessly this way. I alternate between paddling with my hands, and often, when I want to go faster, I just place my hands at my sides. Easiest way to swim, that I have ever experienced. I watched one video on KZbin, and have been having fun swimming like this ever since. I don't understand why this extremely easy method is never taught first by anyone. I should mention, I just learned how to do this at the age of 60!

[@Robott-b5r]

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

[@myswimpro]

Glad it was helpful! It takes time, patience, and hard work. You've got this!

[@irmahernandez6431]

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!

[@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.

[@myswimpro]

So glad you got back in the water! The first step is always the toughest. You've got this :)

[@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.

[@robbyddurham1624]

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.

[@myswimpro]

Happy to help! Keep up the great work in the pool :)

[@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.

[@leslieyoder8280]

This sounds really scary to me. Be safe.

[@MiaEZ]

​@@leslieyoder8280don't spread your fear

[@amelielanglois1328]

Thank you! I’ll definitely try these to feel more confident next time.

[@ShelleySimpsonagent99]

I am new to swimming nd loved this video on how to improve my breathing. As a "mild" smoker and trying to quit, Im afraid of having a heart attack in th e pool. Also im 65 yrs old. Anyway, love your instruction.

[@belikethesquirrel]

very helpful, I've been struggling on my own for a while, so glad I clicked. Thank you

[@octjay]

Thanks!

[@AstriLivingInChicago]

Taylor, i was always afraid of being underwater. I took swim lessons twice in 2023. Then starting Jan 11, 2024 I started to swim everyday mon to fri for an hour. My breaststroke is still missing the correct timing (please upload more video to fix breaststroke timing on the arms and kickings) and my freestyle gets better each day. Never been too late to start, I am 50 😊

[@anitajenkins6121]

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.

[@NancyWhite-hv8lo]

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!!

[@whatever7004]

Wow! Keep it going! You are inspiring me!

[@joeekaps5840]

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 💯 👍

[@bhushankarnik7948]

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 👌🙏👍

[@vampira124]

I love this info! And I passed out today in the pool cause I was trying to figure out the breathing and you just sum that up for me today thank you for your content. I appreciate you and I will let you know how I’m doing. I’m new to swimming, but I love it always just didn’t know the proper format and didn’t have the money but a teachers teach me so thank youreally. ❤️

[@KimHenderson-bj4oq]

I have an advanced arthritic issue in my neck and am only able to breathe out the left side. I can rotate to the right but have to rotate sooo much that it throws my technique out of sync. The BIGGEST advantage I have learned and used is to look straight down and not forward... Wow what a difference it made. Thanks Your advice is THE BEST...

[@irianadaniel7316]

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.

[@lisacurran2812]

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

[@hazelmacgregor4355]

Thank you, always envied people gliding effortless through the water without getting out of breath. Great video, shared with my grown up children x

[@myswimpro]

Thanks for sharing! Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@hicrankurnaz9980]

Thank you very much, I will try them all. great job!❤❤❤❤

[@SibongileNkambule-tz5tj]

Thanks so much for these tips I am.learning to swim,this will help me to improve my swimming❤

[@XiomaraMedinaSaavedra]

Before: Always exhausted and would give up after a couple strokes. After: Today I did 50 lengths and a happy dance! (first very slowly and patiently repeating the first drill for 20 lengths then lengths without the board). Taylor, thank you for sharing your wisdom!

[@olanosergio]

I only started swimming 2 months ago, but I think I'm gonna have to quit as I've hit a wall. I simply can't turn and breathe without swallowing water. The worst part is I actually enjoy being in the water. Only have 6 more lessons, but maybe not everyone can learn to swim i suppose lol

[@zaneabideansyed3143]

Probably the best video I found on breathing exercises and head rotation

[@barbarascott1201]

Wow , very helpful !! I learned to swim in the 60's . I am getting into swimming again and was getting winded because I am not breathing properly. Thanks for the easy to understand instruction!

[@myswimpro]

Glad we could help! Happy swimming, Barbara!

[@ReeRee20]

I’ve always been extremely scared of being in water but just started taking lessons. I’m here because (just my bad luck) my instructor is kind of a bully and forcing me to go at a pace I’m not only uncomfortable with but also scared of. She called me lazy, while it was very evident to everyone that I’m just too scared after swallowing a lot of water the previous day. I wish the instructor was as kind and patient as the person in this video seems.

[@traceychapman4825]

Wow you’re instructor sounds awful!

[@danczer1]

I do sink down drills before swimming and after swimming. That helps me get comfortable in water and it reduce the stress while I breathe.

[@patiencelister8146]

I once had a riding instructor like her. My advice: ditch her. She sounds rude, unempathic, and actually incompetent. A good teacher should neer make a student feel like this!

[@ReeRee20]

@@danczer1 oh yes! This is a great advice. I actually started to this a month into the lessons and it really helped calm me down.

[@ReeRee20]

@@patiencelister8146 Thank you. Unfortunately she was rude till the very end, only thing that helped is that a new batch of learners joined and there were people with worse case of fear that me😅 this actually made her leave me alone, and I actually picked up the pace. I’m swimming quite well now, not a pro but getting it right at least. So my classes are over but yeah wouldn’t suggest this instructor to anybody.

[@TheArgieH]

Many thanks. Great advice and something to work on. The main problems I encounter are when practising during public lane swimming sessions. Despite pool etiquet asking you to use the appropriate lane and switch if necessary, speeds across participants can still be somewhat variable. You do need to know what is happening in front of you, the wall is fixed but people are not. Bluntly, without taking a look to the front, from time to time, you can end up with a faceful of foot. I am usually reluctant to overtake anyone, not least because lanes can be narrow and you certainly need to be aware of what might be coming the other way. But it is necessary on occasion and again it upsets the head position. What would be great is an aquatic parking sensor built into prescription goggles (joke).

[@Flipper86]

They’re focused on breathing position, not scanning the pool while swimming. Two different issues.

[@TheArgieH]

​@@Flipper86Thanks, in practice I do not find them entirely separate. I was chatting it through with my swimming teacher this week (coincidence!). It's a "Be a better swimmer" class, a combination of drills and blocks of lengths addressing the main strokes. During classes you generally know where everybody is and you have your own lane. You can hold the correct head position with little danger. In a public lane swimming session it can be a bit different. The speeds of folk can be variable and you simply need to know who is in front of you and what progress they are making. I have also encountered folk doing a tumble turn, whilst taking no account of what might be behind them (thankfully not too often). I suppose my problem might be muscle memory resurrecting bad habits.

[@logandouglas1466]

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.

[@deedeetheexplorer14]

Me too. Im gonna try my first 400m race hope this helps to improve my breathing technique

[@inbellaland]

This is helpful. Just started swimming again after a long time :) thank you!

[@lucaslegz]

Thank you so much for this video. I just graduated from beginner but my head position is still not great. I will be trying these techniques this Thursday in my swim class.

[@gillstevenson1674]

Really helpful thank you. I'm gonna try out this weekend!

[@myswimpro]

You're so welcome! Hope it went well. Happy swimming :)

[@cremonster]

One thing that has helped me a lot is taking a deeper breath. When coaches say take a "quick break" I was just sucking in a tiny bit with my chest and not taking a deep breath in using my diaphragm and really filling my lungs

[@myswimpro]

Great tip! Thanks for sharing!

[@amosd1837]

Fantastic, excellent tips, thank you!

[@dzhwar1356]

I did this but drank half of the pool water😂

[@tig79rover91]

same here😂

[@billgreenidge6740]

😂 Starting out us tough!

[@tae2910]

😂😂😂😂

[@marcossantos-yr3ee]

@@tae2910

[@akashkamisetty2478]

😂

[@dannywoody5497]

Really appreciate this video. Thank you so much. I am trying to improve This was very helpful.

[@myswimpro]

Glad it was helpful! Happy swimming :)

[@nadavnavon2140]

So graceful, thank you! Question though, how does the snorkel helps with breathing tecnique? It looks great for increasting volume and maybe practice nose exhale

[@indylawi5021]

I have been swimming on and off for a while, but still making the mistakes pointed out. thx for the great tips. hope to remember them on my next swim.

[@dalewillis1494]

I particularly like the suggestion of breathing out through the nose and in through the mouth. I’m sure this will help me. Up to now I’ve been breathing out through my mouth creating bubbles that then go up my nose.

[@aizuddineismail]

I just watched the pull video. Thank you for the good quality videos~

[@Jumpymountain]

Thanks so much for this advise. Gonna give it all a go🎉

[@myswimpro]

Glad you enjoyed it! Good luck and happy swimming :)

[@M2Wils5]

Awesome tips! Thank you 😊

[@kayelle8005]

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

[@fwgwfalsteena4721]

Thank you very much for these drills it really improved my freestyle swimming

[@myswimpro]

So glad to hear that! Keep up the great work and happy swimming :)

[@natsax6351]

OMG! I didn't have this exact problem but I discovered that I'm actually can improve how I take breath

[@KimHenderson-bj4oq]

I too learn a lot. Question I have is at what rate do you exhale. I normally breathe every 4th stroke. I find this the best for me but at times seem to "run out" of exhale before the completion of the stroke. Is there a rule/method for knowing at what rate to exhale ?

[@World-Wide5]

At last, I got an informative and comprehensive video ❤

[@cathyjodiaz]

🎉Thank you!! I will do these with my granddaughter. 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏🤩

[@ptertaintv]

Great advise in this video, I'm currently learning front crawl so thank you.

[@dpmcmanus50]

One of the coaches in my masters group had us do the paddle drill. That paddle was off immediately! I always THINK I have a decent freestyle. But oops! Going to try it again by myself. As for the snorkel, weirdly I'm so used to taking a breath by moving my face to the side that water got into the snorkel and I thought I would drown. I see folks swimming a long comfortably wearing snorkels. But nope, not for me! Threw that thing off me so fast! Old habits die hard lol! That said, whatever tools help your swimming, more power to you! My favorite pool gear: pull buoy. I'm immediately about 10-15 seconds faster per 100 while using it. Which is why my coach set out to wean me away from it and substitute an ankle band. (Coaches! But seriously he's awesome!) The band means I have to use core muscles to stay level. No free ride! I still use the buoy sometimes, such as doing cooldown and for sets where all my lanemates use them. But now I also use bands especially during warm-up.

[@giahantrannguyen3156]

Thank you!

[@brianodonnell1384]

This is a great video swimming clip. Well done.

[@jonathandsouza5604]

Very true. I'm working on finding that sweet spot with just getting enough air and putting my head in.

[@boneybone8123]

01:48 That quick sip of air she talks about is actually water. I tried it. There's no way my head stays above water if I keep relaxed neck and look down. It's always water if I don't reach upwards with both eyes out of the water unlike 1 as mentioned in this video.

[@yosoyroman875]

Super helpful and next time I get in the pool I would love to try this!! Thank you!!!

[@stanTrX]

How to avoid swallowing water while breathing?

[@GatAtTube]

swim faster

[@lynarystic]

It's all about the swim technique, which in turns requires you to be flexible enough to position your body the most efficient way to cut through water.

[@stephenmackenzie9016]

Stay out of water

[@Kbax3614]

Swim more

[@stanTrX]

@@GatAtTube yes it helped a lot since then. Now it's very very rare. Swimming more and faster helps a lot

[@disneycreations-i2p]

waow this will really help ...

[@LisaGates-z9f]

Thank you for your great advice. I’ll try them all.

[@fatoumatadiallo3266]

Helpful video. Where did you get your snorkel from? Thank you.

[@michael.jashby5703]

I create so much drag, thanks for the tips and drills.hopefully I will feel lighter🤔🤞💪👍💯

[@myswimpro]

You've got this! Good luck, Michael!

[@johnalderton9079]

I've got a stomer and I'm ashamed of going swimming cos of people looking or making comments it's doing my head in cos love being in water it's therapy for me.

[@garrynorth6199]

What is a stomer..?

[@lydiagordon5798]

I encourage you to do what is good for you and ignore people, you are never obligated to anyone in life! Just do you and enjoy swimming!!!! Have fun!!

[@RaraRemi_312]

​@@garrynorth6199 I think it's some special body attachment worn to help digestion of those people with IBD/Crohn's Disease

[@RaraRemi_312]

That's understandable. But I'd tell yourself that you're in the pool for your benefit, not those people judging. I'm glad a stomer doesn't render one unable to swim

[@harigadepalli8654]

your videos are too good, great swim basics that is powering my swimming !!

[@abdullahc6931]

“A good sip of air” no pun intended lol. Love it.

[@ryanmascarenhascrg]

I asked my wife why my body was always at an angle when I swam. Turns out it's tip number 1 in this video. Thank you so much for fixing in 2 minutes the very problem that stopped me from swimming.

[@IvyPerez_DreamBuilder]

Very helpful thank you!!

[@richardsutherland9731]

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

[@interviewsbydr.latoriawhit9243]

Awesome information- love this. Very helpful.

[@ChristopherSmeaton-mz4kz]

Good tip 👌

[@rgd765]

Great video! What brand and type of snorkel are you using? So, I can get the same one. TIA

[@taniataito]

I am learning to swim again at 57 years old, is there any particular advice to an old asthmatic when it comes to breathing? I find it very difficult to swim for more than a few breaths without struggling

[@johnvarricchio6856]

Brilliant Thanks Coach 🙏🏻

[@tamurphy71]

Trying the kick board technique tomorrow. Thank you

[@Melaboudi1]

Love the drills. Thanks

[@mrjones2516]

Big help! Thanks!

[@bernardosantos2096]

Very nice video! What is this whatch which you are using?

[@drrajandwalawalkar3180]

Well explained,thanks

[@kevinsutton844]

In the picture you can see several things that are an opportunity for improvement. First, there is a lifting of the head. It automatically causes the hips and legs to sink. For better breathing and streamline allow the water to hold the head where it will be in the water. It creates good head-spine alignment and the legs and hips will feel lighter and it will lengthen stroke length. Second, on recovery, the hand is above the elbow. This too causes the body to sink, reducing streamline. Have a "marionette" arm and hand where recovery is with the elbow. It creates no sinking, better "tracks" for entry into the water. Again, it will lengthen stroke length. Both of these will reduce drag and increase efficiency.

[@bjazz68]

Amazing, Thank you very much.

[@Nick-pw4bp]

I am 77 living in Japan. Where can I buy the swimming cap you are putting on?

[@PlanetEarth143]

How do you strap on the snorkel to your swimming cap? Is it necessary to do that? Do you have to use a nose plug or special snorkel mask with it or ok to use swim goggles instead? What do you do to prevent water seepage into the swim goggles?

[@betseykuzia8477]

Just found this. I do use a snorkel but am going to try these other drills!

[@gabscar1]

Excellent video. Thanks!

[@rebeccaeikey4394]

Thanks

[@nenaddjurdjevic1184]

Very useful tips. Tnx

[@aishahbazuz7936]

Which snorkel do you recommend

[@srikrishnaippili4613]

Very nice explanation

[@mahsashalileh8601]

And would u mention how much of the time of one hwnd stroke should it be taken to inhale ?? I do it like 1/2

[@YunChoi-k1f]

Great teacher! Thanks

[@myswimpro]

Glad it was helpful! Happy swimming :)

[@rohini_kadam7814]

Thanks for videos 🎉

[@dhkchung8219]

Thank you so much.

[@kelleyhudson3157]

Thank you, I am a beginner and love the tips.

[@Raphael_NYC]

VERY helpful. Thank you. raphael nyc

[@soulfulmoonmanifestations6915]

After years of not swimming. I came back and started using the snorkel to do my laps. I could knock out 20 or 30 no problem. About a month ago my snorkel broke and I decided I didn't want to buy another one. I figured I would just swim without it. Unfortunately, I learned that I had become dependent on the snorkel. I cannot seem to get a good rhythm whether I breathe every stroke, every 3 or every 4. i breathe out through my nose before taking a breath. By the time I finish one full lap I am out of breath and have to wait to do another lap. It is not improving. Trying figure this out. Oh and I am naturally buoyant. Couldn't go down if I tried.

[@cdesfusa]

Excellent thank you