Swimming is a great full-body exercise that engages all muscle fibers from core to limbs. Few sports use the whole body as much as swimming. At the same time, swimming is much friendlier to your joints than running or cycling.
If you’ve done any swimming, you might already know. But you may not know that no matter your swimming skill, there is high-tech equipment that can take your workout to the next level.
1. Performance monitor
Monitoring and tracking performance in pools has many benefits. So, from small dedicated companies like FINIS and Triton to giants like Garmin and Apple, there’s no shortage of waterproof fitness trackers.
Performance Monitor not only helps you set goals, but it also tracks data in real time so you can analyze your performance. It helps you reach your goals, compare yourself to others, and get guidance to improve your speed, form, and fitness level.
For example, TritonWear’s Triton 2, used by professional swimmers, is a device worn under a swimming cap, while INCUS is designed to be worn on the back. Data captured by these devices can provide insight into everything from distance traveled, stroke distribution, form and more.
Of course, you can also use your Apple Watch Series 2 or later to track your swim metrics. It may be less hydrodynamic than the Triton 2 or INUCS, but you can set goals for calories burned, distance and time, and measure the number of laps completed in the pool. The advantage of using an Apple Watch is that you get all the other features associated with smartwatches.
2. Smart swimming goggles
Gone are the days of simple swim goggles that keep chlorinated water from touching your eyeballs. We now live in the age of augmented reality, and swim goggles have evolved to include heads-up displays that can project stats in your field of view while preserving your visual abilities. Activities that can be viewed include swim analysis, distance, speed, lap count and heart rate.
For example, FORM Smart Swim Goggles, released in 2019, let you power up your workouts while viewing splits and elapsed time, so you don’t have to stop and check your watch or clock.
For example, you don’t have to wear another device on your wrist, so you don’t sacrifice hydrodynamics. One side of the device has physical buttons that allow you to scroll through metrics and menus without removing your goggles.
There are other smart swim goggles on the market, such as the FINIS smart goggles that offer many of the same features. Both brands cost about $200.
3. Garmin Swim 2 Waterproof Smartwatch
Several companies such as Apple, Samsung, and Fitbit offer smartwatches and fitness trackers that swimmers can use. These devices offer many of the same features as smart goggles, but, as you might expect, they do even more.
For example, the smartwatch can track your resting heart rate, stress levels, and sleep, and receive text, alerts, and email notifications in and out of the pool.
One of the best smartwatches designed specifically for swimmers is the Garmin Swim 2. It can track pool and open water workouts, and has a built-in wrist-based heart rate monitor that works in the water, making it easy to track your efforts while exercising. swimming session. Additional exercise features include a rest timer and drill log feature to help you take your swimming game further.
Garmin Swim 2 also automatically tracks, measures and analyzes your distance, pace and stroke count. By counting these metrics, the device pumps out what is called a swolf score. This is the number you get by adding together the number of strokes you’ve made over the length of the pool and the time it took to swim that length. For example, if you swim 10 strokes in 30 seconds the length of the pool, your swolf score is 40.
4. Waterproof MP3 player
Music can have a profound effect on your mind and body, and listening to high-tempo music during your workout can distract you and make the activity less difficult. Music can also increase your heart rate, which greatly enhances your workout session. So a waterproof MP3 player would be a welcome addition to your swimming routine.
FINIS, which makes all kinds of gadgets for swimmers, from fins to smart goggles, also makes waterproof MP3 players. Finis Duo is an underwater bone conduction MP3 player with 4GB of flash memory and a rechargeable battery that lasts up to 7 hours.
Another good example is the H2O Audio Sonar bone conduction headphones with a built-in MP3 player thanks to 8GB of internal storage. It does not need to be inserted into the ear.
5. Waterproof headphones
Would you rather listen to Spotify while swimming than load MP3s into your dedicated player? Well, swimming headphones and earbuds can do just that. Wirelessly stream your favorite songs and podcasts using your waterproof smartwatch or smartphone.
Waterproof headphones come in many varieties, from simple earbuds to goggle-mounted headphones. For example, the JBL Reflect Aero headphones connect to smart devices via Bluetooth, have IP68 dust and water resistance, and work in depths of up to 1.5 meters.
6. Underwater metronome
An underwater metronome is a small waterproof device that swimmers can use to identify and maintain their ideal pace in the pool. These devices fit under a swimmer’s cap or goggles and help him keep pace by sending tempo his beeps.
Devices such as the FINIS Tempo Trainer Pro allow you to adjust the tempo speed in 1/100 second increments and can be used underwater. This means you can use it while cross training on your bike or running.
The best swimming gadgets you should try
If you want to get the most out of your swim session, these are some of the best gadgets you can invest in. However, make sure you understand what you need to do to improve your swimming and buy something that fits your needs rather than wasting it. money.
That said, if you don’t have the money to spend on swimming accessories, a mobile app can also improve your overall experience.
