Being able to track your swimming progression is certainly an awesome way to keep on track and stay motivated. Here are five apps for swimming that are compatible with fitness trackers and swimming watches.
MySwimPro
Firstly, If you need to advance your swimming progress, using MySwimPro with almost any waterproof wearable is going to do the trick. With your smartwatch, you’re able to leave your phone in your bag and get in the pool with MySwimPro.
The app will guide you through a custom training session so there’s no need to count laps or keeping track of your split times. Furthermore, your heart rate is tracked and strokes seamlessly recorded.
You can enjoy an unlimited library of workouts, with a new one added every day. A personal customised algorithm learns your speed and, consequently, creates customises intervals to suit. There’s unlimited logging, saving of workouts and sharing features.
MySwimPro offers heart rate analysis, works out your strokes per lap, splits and your SWOLF score.
Lastly, the great thing about MySwimPro is that you can load it on to almost any waterproof smartwatch or fitness tracker from popular brands like Garmin, Fitbit, Apple and WearOS.
It’s $9.99 a month, but you can try it for free for seven days first.
Swim.com
Swim.com certainly offers a simple tool to track your own training and compare your statistics with peers. The app automates the capture of information about your swimming performance meanwhile offering motivation. It’s great for people who like to go it alone or swim as part of a team.
One of the core features on offer is automation so it takes away the need to pause to record your swims. You can create a bespoke workout and have it delivered directly to your wrist. It’s aimed at helping you to track your progress, improve and maybe even compete.
It’s compatible with Apple, Garmin, Samsung and WearOS smartwatches.
Strava
Strava is known as one of the best apps for recording any sports activity. Swimming is no different. There are tons of multisport watches that are compatible – though it works better on some than others.
The most popular options are the Garmin Fenix (2 and 3), Forerunner (920XT, 910XT and 310XT), Polar v800, Suunto Amit3 and TomTom multisport.
For indoor swimming, Strava will ask for the pool length before you start so it can display your laps. It will also use this to calculate your distance and further uses this to figure out your pace based on your times.
For outdoor swimming, your activity is recorded via your GPS function on a map, which you can see on Strava.
Strava is free to download, with premium paid subscriptions if you want.
TrainingPeaks
TrainingPeaks is great if you’re a beginner or training for a triathlon. You’re able to track your efforts and in doing so you can improve your performance. You’re offered a step-by-step guide to help set swim zones and general tips are given to you to which help you get better.
There’s a library of tried and tested plans to pick from and the best bit is that there is the option to hire a qualified coach who can help you on the route to success.
TrainingPeaks is compatible with about 100 apps and devices. Your completed workouts are automatically uploaded to the TrainingPeaks so you can look at your data, analyse it and manage it.
The good folk at TrainingPeaks take your complicated data and deliver it to you in a digestible format for post-workout feedback. You can watch your fitness improve as time goes on, which should give you confidence that your performance is improving.
TrainingPeaks has a free option, but if you need more features, there are paid options. It works best with Garmin devices.
Tri Swim Coach
This app is great for the more advanced swimmer who’s looking to take on a big challenge. You have a regular pool, you’ve nailed the basic strokes and you want to prepare for a big swim leg. Using My Tri Swim, which costs $2, you can have access to a full set of drills which are customised to the season and level that you pick.
If you are a beginner to triathlons (not to swimming), there’s something here to get you started, and once you nail that there are progressive training options. It’s got you covered from the basics to Olympic, half or full Ironman.
You’ll probably enjoy the four seasonal options; off, base, build or peak, which are designed to help you throughout the year. If you log in using your smartphone or tablet/laptop, you’ll see that all drills come with instructions and videos so you know exactly what you’re doing.
It works with Apple and WearOS .
Summary
Swimmers had to sit and look on in envy when wearable fitness tech first came out. They’ve waited patiently whilst their land-loving counterparts analysed their data and made leaps and bounds in their performance. Now that smartwatches are waterproof, there’s nothing stopping people jumping into that pool and getting the laps in. Now you don’t have to stop to check your time, or mentally keep track of your laps – you can get your head down and focus on just performing whilst your smartwatch and chosen app do the number crunching for you.
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