VO2 - Just do it!

Since I have not been able to run for the past couple of weeks, I have been looking at innovative ways of keeping the VO2 max up.

The most logical way has been through doing spin intervals on the bike, but I have also been finding some good maintenance through swimming fast laps in the pool and by employing different breathing techniques.

Luckily I had a swim coach in the past who believed in making us do these power drills to improve lung power and stamina. He used to make us swim 25m lengths of the pool under water with only a short break in between. A few graduated onto the 50m pool to.

The key to underwater swimming lies in being able to slow the heart rate and use as little energy and effort as you can. This will enable the body to move through the water more easily than those who try and go too quickly and expend all their energy in one go.

Another sure fire way to improve your lung power in general is to swim a length of freestyle really quickly but instead of breathing every second stroke, try and only breathe every 5-6 strokes and then work it up to 8 or nine strokes.

Varying these techniques and using the bike intervals will give you great results.

Remember that we all only have a finite amount of muscle repairs and hence the importance of rest to rebuild the body. I am only finding this out more and more now.

For those with a little extra money, I would suggest that you also buy yourself a PowerBreathe device. I have used mine for the past 18 months and seen dramatic improvements. The device has its detractors, but it has worked for me and several friends, including one who had suffered from asthma. Since using the PowerBreathe for the past 3 months, he has not needed his puffer and can now take part in sport safe in the knowledge that he won’t suffer an attack.

Breathing is part of life. Make every breath count! – Sean Muller