I usually do 1 breath every two strokes when doing long distances and a breath every 5 breaths when doing 50-100M.
As a sprinter, breathing is overrated.
Ezra said:
As a sprinter, breathing is overrated.
Amen.
I have asthma, and my breathing tests show I have high lung capacity when treated. I credit swimming and playing an instrument.
I usually breathe every 4-10 strokes, most often doing 6.
Ezra said:
As a sprinter, breathing is overrated.
So real.
Ezra said:
As a sprinter, breathing is overrated.
This.
Racing a 50 / speed work: Minimum breathing - and if you do breathe, not around the start, turn, or finish.
Racing a 100 / short race pace: Breathing every 1 or 2 cycles (2/4 strokes) - every cycle if the rest is short.
Racing a 200 / longer race pace: Breathing every 1 or 2 cycles (2/4 strokes) - more likely for guys to breathe every cycle than girls.
400 / aerobic power work: Pretty much everyone will breathe every cycle - some elite women race the 400 breathing every 2 cycles.
800+ / distance / heart rate work: Definitely breathing every 2 strokes - you need the air!
Breathing every 3 strokes is a good habit to get into for most of your training because it keeps you balanced, but it’s generally easier to get into a better rhythm if you’re breathing on an even number of strokes.
If you’re going to deviate from your breathing pattern, it should be by holding your breath in and around your starts, turns, and finishes.
@Ellison
“But it’s generally easier to get into a better rhythm if you’re breathing on an even number of strokes.” I never heard that before. I’ve spent the last few years breathing every 2 when doing pace work (but alternating side depending on the lap). Just recently I started breathing every 3 or 2 to the right, 2 to the left (aka 2-3 breathing). But I never would’ve guessed that breathing every 4 would work better than every 3!
@Gabi
Most people are better at breathing to one side or the other, which is why breathing every 2 or 4 allows for an easier rhythm to fall into as long as it’s to your better side.
Lap swimming: every 3 pretty much.
Open water: 2, 3, 2, 3 or 2, 2, 2, 3, 2, 2, 2, 3. I like to favor one side at a time in open water. Pretty much a gallop/hybrid stroke. I feel like I can hold stronger pacing that way.
@Zaden
Same, I really hate my right side lol.
Fintan said:
@Zaden
Same, I really hate my right side lol.
I hate my left side. I used to breathe only every 2 but eventually my right shoulder got really unbalanced, and I started doing 3. I only practice swimming and no underwater turning.
@Zaden
2, 2, 3, 2, 2… I like the oxygen and I want to be balanced.
Taj said:
@Zaden
2, 2, 3, 2, 2… I like the oxygen and I want to be balanced.
Exactly! lol. It’s an aerobic sport after all.
Usually once every 3 strokes, regardless of the distance swum. The only time I hold my breath longer is when I’m coming into the wall. I hold my breath at the flags and take my first breath after completing the turn.
@Winslow
Valid.
@Winslow
You should hold until after the first 2 strokes coming off the wall, at least until after the 1st stroke.
Adler said:
@Winslow
You should hold until after the first 2 strokes coming off the wall, at least until after the 1st stroke.
I thought it was implied that ‘completing the turn’ meant after the push-off and underwater shenanigans.
@Winslow
Kudos for the use of shenanigans 
.
Every fourth stroke.
Valor said:
Every fourth stroke.
Until you’re swimming anything over a 100 and you get curb stomped the entire back half.