When you're learning to swim, it's completely natural to breathe on the side that feels most comfortable. Maybe you always turn to the right, or perhaps the left just feels easier. At first, it seems like the obvious choice.
But over time, that habit can actually limit your progress.
Breathing on only one side creates an imbalance in your stroke. One side of your body ends up doing more work than the other, which can affect your technique, throw off your body position, and even increase the risk of shoulder discomfort. If you want to become a smoother, more efficient swimmer, learning to breathe on both sides is one of the best skills you can develop.
That's where bilateral breathing comes in.
By breathing every three strokes, you naturally alternate between your left and right sides. It might feel awkward at first, but the benefits are well worth the effort.
For starters, it helps create better balance throughout your body. Both shoulders and both sides of your back work through the same range of motion, helping you build strength evenly and reducing the chance of overloading your dominant side.
You'll also notice that you swim in a much straighter line. Constantly turning your head to the same side can cause your body to drift across the lane without you even realizing it. Alternating your breathing keeps your stroke more symmetrical, making it easier to stay streamlined and maintain a consistent direction.
Another advantage is improved awareness of what's happening around you. By breathing to both sides, you'll have a better view of swimmers in the neighbouring lanes, making it easier to share the pool and avoid unexpected surprises.
If breathing every three strokes feels too difficult right now, don't worry—you don't have to master it overnight.
A simple way to build confidence is to break it into smaller steps. Swim one length breathing every two strokes on your stronger side. Rest for about 10 seconds at the wall, then swim the next length breathing every two strokes on your weaker side. It may feel unfamiliar at first, but that's exactly how your less dominant side becomes stronger and more comfortable.
Once both sides start to feel more natural, begin introducing a three-stroke breathing pattern. It won't take long before switching sides feels automatic, and your stroke will become more balanced, relaxed, and efficient.
Like many aspects of swimming, progress often comes from stepping outside your comfort zone. Breathing on both sides might feel challenging in the beginning, but it's one of those small changes that can make a big difference to your technique, your confidence, and your enjoyment in the water.