Front crawl swimming advise.

Hi there,

I am a keen swimmer and desperately trying to get my weight down and in shape as I am going to do my Pool Life Guard course.

My problem is not chest tightness or coughing that I would normally get with my Asthma, I'm Brittle. But mainly I don't seem to get my breathing very synced , I can swim a mile in around 50 minutes, and swim about 6 times a week at the moment, I do most of that on my back. When I try and swim front crawl I soon feel quite short of breath and if I didn't keep it in check could almost feel a sense of panic.

I have tried breathing every stroke, every 2 and alternate sides, non of which allows me to go more than 2 lengths without needing to have a few sec rest, whereas I can do 25 lengths straight off on my back with no stopping.

My lung function isn't too bad, with PEFR 300 average, and FEV 1 around 2.2. I'm not sure if my lungs are causing me to feel restricted on my front as I feel I need to breathe more, or just I am not fit enough yet.

I do have a couple of puffs of Salbutamol first and am quite comfortable in the water.

My question to. Any swimmers is this to be expected or with practice can I improve my technic at all?

Any ideas gratefully received.

George xx

[KateMoss]

Hi George,

I find front crawl the easiest... though it is more hard work on the lungs... though not swam for a few years now....

I find breathing every 2-4 strokes worked for me...

Kate

x

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I have not done any swimming since I have been diagnosed but I usually breath every 2 strokes when doing the front crawl, I did used to find the temperature of the pool would have an effect on my breathing and sometimes I would have to drop it to after every stroke if it was hot or the pool was busy.

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Thanks,

Every stroke is a bit much as I tend to feel unbalanced, and almost wobbly!!

Will keep trying, thanks guys xx

[yaf_user681_51802]

Every two when I'm puffed, otherwise every three or four. I still have to stop every two lengths though for a throat clear, cough or to just catch my breath. Am hoping it will improve with time. X Sue

[yaf_user681_32991]

I'm going swimming later. I'll answer properly then LOL

But I'm an ever 3-4 strokes. And can only manage one length of front crawl. Breast stroke I can keep plodding for ages.

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I swim regularly (3 times a week atm) and front crawl is the only stroke i enjoy. On my first length i breathe every 5 strokes and after that it's every 3 so that i breathe on alternate sides. When you breathe try not to lift your head too far out of the water, just roll it to the side so that the lower ear stays in the water.

On a good day i can do 80 lengths in about 50 minutes, this morning i did 64 in 45 after also having run 3 miles

I'd say one key is to try and relax when you swim - make your body as long and smooth as possible, make sure you are kicking from your hips rather than your knees and try to roll your body with your stroke.

What i would suggest if it's possible have some professional lessons. I could already swim and i thought my crawl was ok but i went to group lesson sessions intending to improve my breastroke. Sadly we didn't do as much breastroke as i'd hoped, we did loads of crawl but it really improved my stroke.

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Thanks Jingle fairy, you sound very fit !,

I have been wondering if I try too hard!! And not as relaxed as I could be, was considering asking one of the swimming teachers for a one to one, like you say may be I'm trying too hard.

I did wonder if my lung function is restricting me, will see if a lesson or two can improve my technic and Hense my enjoyment.

Will persevere,

Many thanks g x

[Lil_tinx66]

I enjoy swimming much more than my body, definatley not as fit as some of the above. I've always really enjoyed swimming from being a child , and was lucky enough to go to a school with a pool! Once I left that school I stopped swimming regularly. Last year on. Pledge to do some exercise and lose weight I started going swimming once week and I found it a learning curve, I find the temperature of the pool really affects my asthma and I find any strokes where my head is under the water is much more difficult for me to handle. I tend to swim what we where taught at school as frogs legs, this enables me to keep my head above the water all of the time and regulate my breathing. However I haven't been able to swim due to illness and asthma for months , I've started going once a week again in the last few weeks and following the same as I did last time keeping my head above the water! At the moment I'm only strong enough to do one length and a pause and after a few lengths need my inhaler , but for me it's about practice and building it up. Sorry no specific advise on front crawl just my swimming experiences.

Good luck - don't overwork yourself!

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Well, i managed to have a chat with one of the Swimmking teachers at the pool, he gave me a quick 15 minute lesson, and said my tecnic is very good but i hold my breath for too long, hense causing me to be short of breath after only a couple of lengths. he has given me a plan and some targets.

He also dissapointed me by saying swimming doesnt really lose weight , just burns a few calories, how dissapointing, no wonder i not lost much, my shape is changing tho.

will keep at it,

George xx