#1 Holding Breath

You saw this coming, didn’t you? Any exercise that can increase the efficiency of your lungs will help with lung capacity! For this exercise, all you have to do is start off at water levels where your head is above the surface while standing. From there, bend down and submerge your head into water. Don’t forget to start your timer or get someone to help you! Hold your breath for as long as you can and come up just before you run out of gas. Rest for a few minutes and repeat again. This simple exercise can be done even after your swimming lessons, as a way to relax and unwind as well!

#2 Interval Training

Interval training is done by alternating short, high intensity bursts of energy with seconds of rest in between. Ever heard of high intensity interval training, HIIT for short? That’s a type of interval training too! “How do I engage in interval training in pools?” There are plenty of ways! One way is through swimming laps. Complete 1 lap and rest for 45 seconds before beginning your next lap! Don’t forget to give it your all as you want to be giving your body a tough challenge!

#3 Breathing Patterns

This exercise can be done even while you’re working on strengthening that flutter kick or working on your arm movements for the freestyle! Set a number of strokes to hold your breath for and take a breath afterwards. Repeat this for the duration of your swim session and you should notice it gets slightly easier each time! Start with breathing every 3 or 4 strokes if you’re a beginner and strive to make that every 5 to 6 as you progress.

A side note, there is another stroke where you CAN engage in breathing patterns other than the freestyle; it is the butterfly!

Image Credit : MayoClinic  

This is a great pool exercise to increase lung capacity which is not only meant for older adults! Sure, it sounds simple, but the execution is definitely not. Start off in shallow waters and slowly move into deeper waters. You’ll notice an increased resistance in deeper water as more of your body is submerged. Once you’ve gotten the hang of it, walk as fast as you can to make your lungs work harder. If you want an increased challenge, add wrist or ankle weights!

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This one’s fun and can be turned into a race with friends! Start off at one end of the pool, grab your kickboard and start flutter kicking for a strong 45 seconds. Then, rest for 30 seconds. You might want to choose the side of the pool closest to the ledge, so that you can comfortably rest after 45 seconds! If you’re a confident swimmer, you may rest in the middle of the pool without any worry. After the 30 seconds is up, continue flutter kicking for another 45 seconds. Repeat this for a total of 5 sets! Other than increasing your lung capacity due to the increased demand required, it’s also a great way to help with weight loss or your journey to 6-pack abs.

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Similar to the exercise above, but this puts your arms to work instead! With the kickboard or a pull buoy between your legs, swim for 45 seconds and rest for 30. Repeat 4 times, which amounts to a total of 5 sets! What better way to increase your lung capacity than to get in a solid upper body session too right? Don’t be surprised if you walk out of the pool with pumped arms! *Inserts flexing arm emoji*

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This one is a level up from the Kick Drill! Instead of holding onto your kickboard flat on the surface of the water, you’ve to hold it vertically as seen in the picture! Yeap, you heard that right, you’re about to be swimming against increased resistance. This forces you and your lungs to work harder to get the job done. Kick for 45 seconds and rest for 30. Repeat for 5 sets!

Want to take this already-difficult exercise up a notch? Hold your kickboard horizontally (bigger surface area!)

Start off with placing your hand on your stomach. Then, breathe in through your nose and allow your stomach to expand. Now, breathe out through your mouth. Repeat this exercise but aim for a “bigger stomach” this time!

Sure, you can do this exercise on land as well! But why not allow yourself to immerse in some much-needed hydrotherapy while increasing lung capacity?

Conclusion

You’re now equipped with many exercises you can engage in, by yourself or with your loved ones, to increase your lung capacity! Other than these, simply engaging in regular swimming can also improve lung health as long as you’re engaging in proper form and breathing techniques. What are you waiting for? Grab someone you love and head down to the pool to introduce plenty of benefits to life! Sign up Children Swimming Lessons and kick start the swim journey to increase your lung capacity. 

Hello everyone! I'm a gym enthusiast who gets very excited at the sight of dogs. Drinking teh tarik is my form of relaxation. I hope you share my passion for anything fitness-related through my writing!