Hi everyone, this is my first post, so I hope it’s ok to share some background.
I’m 59 and asthmatic. I get my lung capacity checked every year because of a chronic condition that could affect it. At my last checkup, my doctor suggested swimming to help improve lung function. I’ve been swimming regularly for about three months now and can swim breaststroke for an hour continuously, which I’m really happy about.
However, I’d like to improve my fitness further by being able to swim front crawl continuously for an hour. At the moment, I struggle to swim more than two lengths of a 25-meter pool before needing to stop to catch my breath.
Can anyone suggest a program or share tips that could help me gradually improve my front crawl endurance ? Thank you.
Hey, I started swimming for my asthma too. If you can swim breaststroke for an hour but struggle with front crawl, it’s probably more about breathing technique than lung capacity. Try taking in less air than you think you need. I couldn’t swim one length at first, but I worked on my breathing. Start by practicing front crawl while breathing on the same side, or use a swimming snorkel to help. I swim with a snorkel for 10 minutes, then without it. It helps me find a steady rhythm. The key is to keep your breathing slow and balanced.
It’s likely not about lung capacity. Focus on keeping your inhaling and exhaling balanced. If the amount you exhale matches what you inhale, you’ll be able to swim longer without stopping.
Alix said:
It’s likely not about lung capacity. Focus on keeping your inhaling and exhaling balanced. If the amount you exhale matches what you inhale, you’ll be able to swim longer without stopping.
Thanks. I’ve been reading about trickle breathing, and it seems like that might be what I need to work on.
You might want to work with a coach for better guidance. Until then, try focusing on endurance sets like End1 sets. They’re low-intensity and help build aerobic endurance. If you need a detailed program, feel free to DM me, and I’ll send you a set to try.