Taylor Acheson | Fixing Breathing Problems for More Efficient Swimming

Taylor Acheson

Many swimmers don’t realize how much their breathing impacts their overall performance. Taylor Acheson has seen how improper breathing patterns can lead to fatigue, loss of rhythm, and inefficient strokes. Without proper breath control, swimmers struggle to maintain endurance, speed, and confidence in the water.

One major issue is breath-holding. Swimmers who keep air in their lungs too long tend to inhale in a rushed, shallow manner, making it harder to stay relaxed. Taylor emphasizes the importance of exhaling continuously while underwater so that the inhale is quick and efficient. This reduces strain and allows for smoother, more natural breathing.

Another common challenge is one-sided breathing. When swimmers always breathe to the same side, they risk developing stroke imbalances and muscle tightness. Training with bilateral breathing—breathing on both sides—helps even out body mechanics, prevents overuse injuries, and makes swimmers more adaptable in different conditions.

For those who experience shortness of breath or anxiety in the water, controlled breathing exercises can help. Simple drills like practicing rhythmic exhalation at the pool wall or gradually extending breath control with hypoxic training build lung capacity and confidence. Proper head positioning also plays a role—lifting the head too much while breathing creates drag and slows the stroke. Keeping one eye in the water when turning to breathe helps maintain speed and balance.

Taylor believes that improving breath control is one of the easiest ways to enhance swimming performance. With practice, swimmers can breathe more efficiently, maintain better rhythm, and reduce fatigue in the water.