Measuring swimming

kazc27
kazc27 Posts: 8 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I am looking for a tracking device that I can use while swimming, I am disabled and this is my main form of exercise. Looking for something available in the UK. Any suggestions or advice would be great. Thanks

Replies

  • Djproulx
    Djproulx Posts: 3,084 Member
    many swimmers will use a triathlon/multisport watch, such as those made by garmin, polar and the like. They are expensive, but you can track laps, strokes, time, distance (indoors or out). Again, maybe overkill for your needs, but they work well.
  • chey282
    chey282 Posts: 96 Member
    Also check out Runtastic they have several waterproof trackers.
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    edited September 2016
    The Garmin Swim will track numbers of lengths at a reasonable price point; c£105.

    The top end Tri watches will do the same; 920XT, 735XT and Fenix3 but that's disproportionately expensive for what you're after; c£300

    The VivoActive is more reasonably priced, c£115, and a bit more capable than the Swim.

    You can find the 910XT for a reasonable price as well, c£150, but it's obsolescent so not something I'd recommend. The swimming capability isn't all that sophisticated on it.
  • kazc27
    kazc27 Posts: 8 Member
    Thanks for the tips, I will have a look and update at a later date
  • nuffer
    nuffer Posts: 402 Member
    +1 for Garmin Swim.

    I tried an inexpensive Pebble smart watch first and then when it wouldn't sync regularly, returned it and went to a Garmin Swim watch. That was about a year ago. I wear the Garmin pretty much every day. It's not a fancy watch, but I find I don't forget to put it on when I go to the pool if it's already attached. It does a great job for lap swims and syncs well to MFP.
  • sarabushby
    sarabushby Posts: 784 Member
    A simple Poolmate watch may be a cheaper alternative and what you're looking for. It counts laps, efficiency, distance, strokes, Time, calories etc. Depending which model you buy it can have a vibration alarm to tell you when you've met your goal. Only problem is the basic ones don't do open water as they have no GPS.
  • neohdiver
    neohdiver Posts: 738 Member
    sarabushby wrote: »
    A simple Poolmate watch may be a cheaper alternative and what you're looking for. It counts laps, efficiency, distance, strokes, Time, calories etc. Depending which model you buy it can have a vibration alarm to tell you when you've met your goal. Only problem is the basic ones don't do open water as they have no GPS.

    Swimovate from Poolmate is wonderful - and very accurate. I continued to count laps and strokes for a while to check it, and occasionally it misses a turn (I used it primarily to count laps) - but I could predict which turns it missed pretty accurately - I think they were when I didn't glide long enough for it to register as a turn (but it's been a while).
  • lizandrashaw
    lizandrashaw Posts: 154 Member
    I have the Polar A300. It's very reasonably priced. Better quality and support than Garmin. (I've owned both.) Doesn't count laps or efficiency. You have to go higher end than the A300 for that. Works with an HRM to chart your pulse and figure your calories.
  • meritage4
    meritage4 Posts: 1,441 Member
    I have a misfit shine and it has a setting for tracking swimming. You could also just track by time and lengths ie 1000 metres (20 or 40 lengths in most pools) in 90 minutes -or whatever it is taking you. Then you can see progress by speed and distance.
  • GrumpyHeadmistress
    GrumpyHeadmistress Posts: 666 Member
    meritage4 wrote: »
    I have a misfit shine and it has a setting for tracking swimming. You could also just track by time and lengths ie 1000 metres (20 or 40 lengths in most pools) in 90 minutes -or whatever it is taking you. Then you can see progress by speed and distance.

    Ditto for Misfit Shine. Got it from speedo website and came next day. Only problem is I've never worked out how to get it to show me laps whilst I'm in the pool. I've only managed to get it to show lap count once I've left.
  • thereshegoesagain
    thereshegoesagain Posts: 1,056 Member
    I had a Misfit Shine and it was horribly inaccurate
    for swimming.
  • Alisonswim46
    Alisonswim46 Posts: 208 Member
    I will write a workout and count using my head. Simple, accurate.
  • scorpio516
    scorpio516 Posts: 955 Member
    neohdiver wrote: »
    sarabushby wrote: »
    A simple Poolmate watch may be a cheaper alternative and what you're looking for. It counts laps, efficiency, distance, strokes, Time, calories etc. Depending which model you buy it can have a vibration alarm to tell you when you've met your goal. Only problem is the basic ones don't do open water as they have no GPS.

    Swimovate from Poolmate is wonderful - and very accurate. I continued to count laps and strokes for a while to check it, and occasionally it misses a turn (I used it primarily to count laps) - but I could predict which turns it missed pretty accurately - I think they were when I didn't glide long enough for it to register as a turn (but it's been a while).

    And only £70 for the basic PoolMate2
  • Lannie79
    Lannie79 Posts: 27 Member
    I have a Polar flow v800. It does multi sports but I use primarily for swim. Accurate in pool for laps, then switches to gps for open water. Cheaper than Garmin equivalent
  • Stingray101
    Stingray101 Posts: 4 Member
    I used to use the Misfit Shine and I found that it was accurate measuring distance. It kept falling off my wrist, however, and eventually I lost it. I think the band could be improved.

Categories