I exercise because I must ...I much prefer swimming over other forms of exercise, but I don't swim just because I love it so much. I swim because routine exercise is important for long term quality of life. As such, the doing of the exercise is not some transcendent or joyful experience. It makes me tired and sore. So I listen to something to distract me, to help me not think about the fact that I am putting so much effort into quickly going nowhere. It helps the time pass more quickly. Of course I choose to listen to audiobooks instead of music. Because if I didn't have to exercise I'd probably be reading anyway (which is how I got up to the weight where exercise became critical).

I can't listen to music/audiobooks while swimming, to easily distracted and quickly lose count of where I am in my routine. As Fishgutzy said it would be hard to keep a constant Cadence.

Ironically I use music when I run to help set my Cadence. I tend to start slow ( 120 B/min ) and then slowly build my cadence/speed over the first 2 kilometers and then settle into my long distance eating trot (160-170 B/m).
So my music starts out on slower songs and then each subsequent song is just a little bit faster. I have a dozen different play lists built, 5 starters and 5 normal run sets and 2 variable pace/speed work sets.
So I will stack play lists to get the desired time or distance workout.

I don't have a waterproof mp3 player, so I've never tried it. I could see myself listening to Audiobooks while swimming - I've done so while hiking, and I listen to music while running or circuit training. But I haven't felt like its something I need. I enjoy swimming, and I spend a lot of time counting strokes or laps and wouldn't be able to do that with an Audiobook. Music would probably work, but again it's not a need or a big enough want to feel like I should spend the money on yet another gadget (I'd much rather spend the money on more coaching, anyway).

I listen to music while I swim for the very reason that Fishgutzy doesn't - cadence/ stroke rate.

I set my entire playlist to a fixed stroke rate/ beats per minute matching my target stroke rate for the swim (currently 67.5 strokes per minute or 135 BPM), and then aim to stick to that pace set by the uptempo music throughout. For the first 2 to 3 lengths it feels leisurely, and then quickly becomes more and more grueling maintaining that pace. Works sort of like a treadmill. Also means when my stroke rate is dropping, I realise it immediately.

I never realised how stroke rate tends to be high at the start of a length (and swim session) but has a tendency of dropping as the length goes on before you reach the other side (and deteriorating during the course of the swim). Now, the music ensures none of that is happening. So it is a much more challenging workout then before, especially since I set a much higher target rate. But it has helped me develop a much more consistent and steady stroke rate, and keep it higher (since I have an objective point of reference different from how I'm feeling) for the duration of a swim.

Now if my music player stopped working and I couldn't get another, I would at least get the cheaper Finis Tempo trainer to beep the tempo for me during the swim, and force my body to maintain pace throughout!
So now stroke rate is one less thing to think about during the swim, and I focus on stroke length and all the rest of the technique that buzzes through my head throughout the swim.

Up tempo music also keeps me pumped up and energized - especially when I am doing a 5 a.m. swim alone in a dark cold open air pool with a smattering of rain! Yep - the music definitely helps!

I'm new to swimming, so adding in more stuff ($$) seemed like I was getting ahead of myself. There are days when I love the quiet. I work with 3, 4 and 5 year olds. Sometimes after work, I love to pull my swim cap low and listen to the bubbles. However, I think it might help if I had songs to set my cadence and stroke rate, as I am still unsure of what a good pace is for me. I know it when I feel it, but I would rather not have to think "speed up!" or "Slow down!" and just swim. I've been tempted. Some of your answers are making me think about it again, lol.

I have found that I have met a couple of really interesting swimmers at the pool that I might not otherwise have spoken to if I had earphones in. Then again, I'd probably be paying closer attention to my 15 second rests and getting back on task with music. I'd LOVE to reach the ability level to listen to books or podcasts. When I was running, TED talks were my favorite. Or Radiolab. I wouldn't swim to Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me because it makes me laugh, and that might be dangerous for me swimming!!

You could try the Jog FM Site and use it to build a Swimming Playlist. Or at least catalogue which songs you want in your playlist and load them from your existing on-line source or your own private collection.
https://jog.fm/workout-songs

For me its an even more basic issue. My music is on vinyl!!! And yes, I have a fully set up sound sytem and turntable at home. So to be able to listen to what I like I would need to convert it all to digital or buy it again so I stick to the quiet of the water instead.

fishgutzy wrote: »

60sPanda wrote: »

For me its an even more basic issue. My music is on vinyl!!! And yes, I have a fully set up sound sytem and turntable at home. So to be able to listen to what I like I would need to convert it all to digital or buy it again so I stick to the quiet of the water instead.

There are several turntables available that plug into USB and convert analog to digital. They run about $120.
)

What? Who knew!

I do have a USB turntable, but have not got round to converting the vinyl yet. I need to take a couple of months off work to be able to do that!!

Roaringgael wrote: »

I have a sony underwater mp3 player that unfortunately just recently went on the fritz! after a year. So I swim now without, I found the player invaluable to break through barriers of "black line fever" and it helped me face the "neverendingness" of becoming a regular swimmer. I swim 5 times a week and do 2kms/ 40 laps. Sometimes it was only the fact that I could listen to music that got me in the water!
19 months later I can swim regularly because I seem to have broken a barrier and I now view swimming as the normal and am actually a bit out of sorts if I don't do it. Which from a former complete sloth is a little astonishing!
I will get the player fixed but don't mind without it now.

This is so inspirational. I want to be just like you, roaringgael!! Fantastic

I have a waterproof IPod shuffle and listen to all kinds of music, fast and the slow. It doesn't seem to affect my cadence either way. I put the tunes on and zone out. I am still trying to figure out how to set it so it doesn't shuffle so I can try out swimming to audiobooks.

Macstraw wrote: »

earlnabby, check the position of the switch on it - in the middle is playing straight through, to 1 side is off & to the other is shuffle

@Macstraw It's THAT simple? Geez. I have been checking every possible setting on ITunes instead. THANK YOU!!!!

Ok, so I don't intentionally listen to music when I swim but I always end up getting songs playing in my head. Maybe it's the musician in me, but my brain automatically starts playing random songs that match my stroke rate- especially when its a particularly long and/or monotonous set. Is that just me or does that happen to anyone else?

I don't have any underwater music players so no music for me.
I have had the good fortune to swim at the Kinsmen Pool in Edmonton where they hosted the Commonwealth Games in 1978 and because of Synchronized swimming it was Equipped with underwater speakers. So some times when I hit the water the local Synchro teams are practising which means you get a wide variety of music playing, rock, jazz, blues, classical etc.