Garmin Swim data!
AquaticQuests
Posts: 947 Member
So yesterday was my very first with the new Garmin Swim 
Having it on inspired me to keep going - the thought that it was tracking away, and I wanted to get some good stats for my first official garmin tracked swim
So since it is the first swim, I've taken a screen shot of my summary and note some general observations:
- Overall time for the distance (about 2.5 m) was 52:13. Happy with this as it's only a minute and a half away from my personal best
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- Average pace over the 52 min was 2:03/100m (or 1:52 per 100 yards).
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- Average number of strokes taken over the 33m length is 36 ish (18 x 2)
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- The strokes per minute figure (up to 60) is definitely wrong and much lower than actual even when doubled, as I swim to a set SPM (67.5) playing in my MP3 player. Wondered about this but it turns out that the garmins tend to under report SPM due to push off the wall distance and other stuff (http://www.swimsmoothforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=2804).
All in all, it's great to have another set of metrics to glance at now and then and try and figure out what to work on. I tend to be an analytical sort, so this works well for me!
My goal remains to bring down the strokes per length as well as my SWOLF, while maintaining the stroke rate!
Over 2,700 (1,351 x 2) strokes in a swim! Phew!
Swimming does work those arms!
Having it on inspired me to keep going - the thought that it was tracking away, and I wanted to get some good stats for my first official garmin tracked swim
So since it is the first swim, I've taken a screen shot of my summary and note some general observations:
- Overall time for the distance (about 2.5 m) was 52:13. Happy with this as it's only a minute and a half away from my personal best
-
- Average pace over the 52 min was 2:03/100m (or 1:52 per 100 yards).
-
- Average number of strokes taken over the 33m length is 36 ish (18 x 2)
-
- The strokes per minute figure (up to 60) is definitely wrong and much lower than actual even when doubled, as I swim to a set SPM (67.5) playing in my MP3 player. Wondered about this but it turns out that the garmins tend to under report SPM due to push off the wall distance and other stuff (http://www.swimsmoothforum.com/viewtopic.php?t=2804).
All in all, it's great to have another set of metrics to glance at now and then and try and figure out what to work on. I tend to be an analytical sort, so this works well for me!
My goal remains to bring down the strokes per length as well as my SWOLF, while maintaining the stroke rate!
Over 2,700 (1,351 x 2) strokes in a swim! Phew!
Swimming does work those arms!
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Replies
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Boy, you're really makin' me feel like a total slowpoke...
How do you like this tracking method? I have a Garmin watch and I use it for my swims, but frankly I'm not really an experienced enough swimmer to know if what I am tracking is even meaningful.0 -
Very cool!0
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Great pace for that distance; I'm envious as well and trying to work up (or is it down) to 2 minutes per 100y. I love my Garmin Swim and enjoy seeing the accumulated weekly distance at the bottom of the display when I'm doing other things, like being stuck at work
I think the metrics are definitely useful when tracking over time. One category that the Garmin Connect app lacks is personal records for various standard swimming distances. If you want to automatically track those, you will have to create a Swim.com account and link your Garmin Connect to it. I prefer the granular display of info in the Swim.com app. The mobile versions are relatively useless but the browser version is nice, if a bit clunky in its interface. I think their online help is pretty good. If you swim at different pools, it can track your stats at them separately even if they are different lengths.
Swim.com stats screen:
And of course if you haven't already, you can link Garmin Connect to MFP and be surprised by the optimistic calorie burn it gives you.
Have fun!1 -
I swim 6-7 days per week with my Garmin active. Looking for some buddies to help motivate me to push harder when I swim.
I found out I have 2 herniated disks in my back and the doc said I need surgery. I said no way because I am too young. So I took up swimming to help recover. Since Nov 1st, I can count on one hand how many days I have missed swimming.
So, if you want a buddy who checks her my fitness pal every day all day, and swims every day, I am your gal! Add me! 0 -
If anyone wants to connect to me on Garmin, I'm NoelFigart. My swims are less than impressive. But they do happen, so...1
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Almost pulled the trigger on a Garmin Swim but the negative reviews turned me off. Too many negative reviews as well.
The one complaint that is common to all the swim trackers, regardless the brand, is inaccurate lap counting. I imagine this is a bigger issue for those with more efficient strokes as the glide after push off would be about the same as the glide between strokes.
So far I'm sticking with my simple finger ring style digital lap counter.0 -
I'm about 18 months in with my Garmin Swim watch. I have verified its accuracy numerous times. The only time it miscounts laps is if I stop in the middle of a lap due to cramps or avoiding another swimmer. Changing strokes mid-lap will sometimes make it miscount but usually it will name the stroke as "mixed" for that set. I can count on one hand the number of times this has happened in hundreds of swims. Highly recommended for those wanting to turn their brains to other things besides counting.4
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Definitely couldn't use that in ChinaThe only time it miscounts laps is if I stop ..... avoiding another swimmer.
Even in the one roped lane, a lot of slow breast stroke swimmers don't know the meaning of 'fast lane.'
I still like my cheap digital counter. It doesn't miss my kick board laps. 0 -
Damn. My predisposition for developing degenerative osteoarthritis, combined with the inflammation from eczema on my right hand it causing some joint inflammation in my lap counter thumb.
Hopefully this passes soon. But I may eventually have to get a wrist based swim tracker 0 -
Damn. My predisposition for developing degenerative osteoarthritis, combined with the inflammation from eczema on my right hand it causing some joint inflammation in my lap counter thumb.
Hopefully this passes soon. But I may eventually have to get a wrist based swim tracker
Sorry to hear that @fishgutzy -- that's not a good reason to change things.
If you already wear a watch, the Garmin Swim is pretty good for everyday wear if you're not a fashionista. There are other watches that do well as counters that probably look a bit nicer, like the Pebble. I couldn't get the Pebble data to sync consistently with swim.com -- perhaps they've fixed that. But if all you care about is a lap counter, that may be a good option.1 -
I have the Garmin Vivoactive HR. When I look at my statistics after I swim.......my heart rate data is empty. When I swim, it doesn't seem to record my heart rate. Does anyone else have this issue?0
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Geyser_Mountain_Dreamer wrote: »I have the Garmin Vivoactive HR. When I look at my statistics after I swim.......my heart rate data is empty. When I swim, it doesn't seem to record my heart rate. Does anyone else have this issue?
According to this review, Garmin turns off (or down) the HR function while swimming.2 -
Damn. My predisposition for developing degenerative osteoarthritis, combined with the inflammation from eczema on my right hand it causing some joint inflammation in my lap counter thumb.
Hopefully this passes soon. But I may eventually have to get a wrist based swim tracker
Sorry to hear that @fishgutzy -- that's not a good reason to change things.
If you already wear a watch, the Garmin Swim is pretty good for everyday wear if you're not a fashionista. There are other watches that do well as counters that probably look a bit nicer, like the Pebble. I couldn't get the Pebble data to sync consistently with swim.com -- perhaps they've fixed that. But if all you care about is a lap counter, that may be a good option.
I don't wear a watch at all. Had to stop due to eczema. The constant pressure in the skin became a problem.
But I can wear one intermittently for activity.0 -
Damn. My predisposition for developing degenerative osteoarthritis, combined with the inflammation from eczema on my right hand it causing some joint inflammation in my lap counter thumb.
Hopefully this passes soon. But I may eventually have to get a wrist based swim tracker
Sorry to hear that @fishgutzy -- that's not a good reason to change things.
If you already wear a watch, the Garmin Swim is pretty good for everyday wear if you're not a fashionista. There are other watches that do well as counters that probably look a bit nicer, like the Pebble. I couldn't get the Pebble data to sync consistently with swim.com -- perhaps they've fixed that. But if all you care about is a lap counter, that may be a good option.
I don't wear a watch at all. Had to stop due to eczema. The constant pressure in the skin became a problem.
But I can wear one intermittently for activity.
The Garmin Swim may be a good match, then. It turns off its display if it doesn't detect movement, greatly extending battery life. So when it's sitting in your swim bag waiting for your next session, it's not using much juice. With everyday wear, I get about six months before having to change the batt.1 -
I use the Garmin swim for the daily swims too!
Works well for me.
Lap counting is accurate unless you stop mid length or run into folks swimming width wise, as was said above already by nuffer!
Only problem is I've misplaced the thing that connects to the computer, so I can't use all the nifty graphs for the time being, but I can track essentials on watch!1 -
I got one for Christmas but have since returned it. I couldn't get a reliable stroke count after trying various push off techniques and could not get synced to the web site.
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I got one for Christmas but have since returned it. I couldn't get a reliable stroke count after trying various push off techniques and could not get synced to the web site.
That is the most common complaint among the "1" ratings on Amazon.
I've thought about the Vivoactive HR but I just can't justify it when I get the information I use from a digital click counter.1 -
I got one for Christmas but have since returned it. I couldn't get a reliable stroke count after trying various push off techniques and could not get synced to the web site.
That is the most common complaint among the "1" ratings on Amazon.
I've thought about the Vivoactive HR but I just can't justify it when I get the information I use from a digital click counter.
Sounds like there may be some that didn't get assembled correctly or properly calibrated or maybe some a glitchy accelerometer. Mine's still going strong!2 -
I got one for Christmas but have since returned it. I couldn't get a reliable stroke count after trying various push off techniques and could not get synced to the web site.
That is the most common complaint among the "1" ratings on Amazon.
I've thought about the Vivoactive HR but I just can't justify it when I get the information I use from a digital click counter.
Sounds like there may be some that didn't get assembled correctly or properly calibrated or maybe some a glitchy accelerometer. Mine's still going strong!
My biggest obstacle is price and the fact that I don't see how a $450 gadget will change how I swim. The less expensive units don't have the functionality, or display size I need to be able to see without my glasses.
I was tempted to use something like my wife's PSO2 finger device but I can't read that without my glasses either.
The Forerunner 735 is pretty good sized. looks easy to read. But I'm just not convinced that the information it gathers is of any real value to me. Maybe I'm just too old school. The only reason I bought a kindle is because books are heavy to travel with.0 -
can I use my vivoactive hr to track swim sppeds.? I've been doing step challanges but it's too hot time to get back into the pool (water temp 55)0
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treehugnmama wrote: »can I use my vivoactive hr to track swim sppeds.? I've been doing step challanges but it's too hot time to get back into the pool (water temp 55)
According to the spec sheet for the HR, you should be able to track speed and laps. You'd need to know the length of your pool. I don't think it will do much for open water swimming. DC Rainmaker has a very in-depth review that shows how it works.0 -
So, my boss showed off his new Fenix 5X today. Looked it up. Pricey. Might put it on my gift list.
Just spent $1000 on self defense hardware for Father's day. So maybe Christmas or my birthday.
The 5X also loads topographical maps for hiking. Has a track back option for those who fail to stay on the trail. 0 -
So, I pulled the trigger on the Fenix 5X. Ill report back on what I think.1
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Fist swim with the Fenix was my second swim of the day. 40 laps, 2000 yards.
The Fenix marked it perfectly.
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If you can tolerate the band, likely you'll love it. Looks like you have the Sapphire model? I have sapphire glass on an older watch and it is the only thing on the watch that is not scratched -- the case and band are plenty banged up but the glass is spotless after years of abuse -- like wrenching on cars kind of abuse. Looks like a really nice watch and I hope you enjoy it!1
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One feature I like, being at a non standard pool in China, I can set it to 22m pool length.
So far i like not pressing a button each lap.
A side benefit I can select which of the messaging apps buzz my wrist.
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First swim back in the US with the Fenix5X.
Ur did something that threw me off for a minute. When i got to 3 miles the distance display switched from yards to miles.
But activity display on the app still shows yards.0 -
I got a Garmin 735xt for Father's Day a couple of years ago to use for swimming, biking, triathlons, daily steps, etc. Very reliable tracking distances in the pool, but I don't bother with the metrics. It's the easiest way to keep track of weekly distances swimming and biking without needing to think to much, which is not my strong suit.
For those wanting to track HR while swimming, Garmin makes a a few different chest-straps, one which is optimized for use in a pool (chlorine resistant and stays on even with lots of flip-turn kick-offs). Garmin gave me one for free to test and it works good with my Garmin watch, but I never use it because of the geek/wannbe factor, same reason why I would never put aerobars on my road bike.1 -
I got a Garmin 735xt for Father's Day a couple of years ago to use for swimming, biking, triathlons, daily steps, etc. Very reliable tracking distances in the pool, but I don't bother with the metrics. It's the easiest way to keep track of weekly distances swimming and biking without needing to think to much, which is not my strong suit.
For those wanting to track HR while swimming, Garmin makes a a few different chest-straps, one which is optimized for use in a pool (chlorine resistant and stays on even with lots of flip-turn kick-offs). Garmin gave me one for free to test and it works good with my Garmin watch, but I never use it because of the geek/wannbe factor, same reason why I would never put aerobars on my road bike.
Regarding HR straps, I tried to use my Polar I the pool a few years ago. Gave up because it kept flopping over in push off.
If the Garmin swooning strap doesn't flip, I might add it.0
