Swimming is an excellent way to stay fit, and having the right tools to monitor your progress is essential for improvement. Fitness wearables have come a long way in recent years, with many now specifically designed for swim tracking. In this comprehensive guide, we’ve researched and compiled the top fitness trackers for swimming to help you make an informed decision.
Fitness Trackers for Swimming
Swim tracking wearables have revolutionized the way swimmers monitor their progress in the pool and open water. These high-tech devices provide real-time data on various swimming metrics, including distance, pace, stroke count, and even heart rate.
With so many options available, it can be challenging to find the perfect fitness wearable for your swimming needs. In this guide, we’ll explore the top contenders in the market and discuss their features, pros, and cons.
Fitness trackers for swimming are designed for accurate tracking of various swimming metrics. These devices are waterproof and typically focus on pool and open water swim tracking. Some of the best swimming fitness trackers include:
Fitbit Charge Series
Fitbit is a popular brand in the fitness tracker market, and their Charge series offers waterproof fitness trackers suitable for swimming. The Fitbit Charge 4 and Charge 5 provide essential swimming metrics such as laps, distance, and pace. These devices also offer various other fitness tracking features like heart rate monitoring, sleep analysis, and calorie counting.
Pros:
- Slim design
- 50m water resistance
- Comprehensive fitness tracking features
Cons:
- No GPS in some models
- Subscription required for some features
Garmin Swim 2
The Garmin Swim 2 is a dedicated swimming fitness tracker that offers both pool and open-water swimming tracking. It boasts underwater heart rate monitoring, stroke detection, SWOLF score calculation, and customizable alerts for time, distance, and pace. The Garmin Connect app allows you to analyze your swim data and export it to other platforms like Strava.
Pros:
- Underwater heart rate monitoring
- Pool and open-water swim modes
- 7-day battery life in smartwatch mode
Cons:
- Higher price point
- Limited smartwatch features
Smartwatches for Swim Tracking
Swimming smartwatches combine the features of fitness trackers with additional smartwatch capabilities, such as notifications, music control, and GPS tracking. Some of the best swimming smartwatches include:
Apple Watch Series
The Apple Watch Series 5 and 6 are excellent options for swimmers, offering water resistance up to 50 meters and various swimming metrics such as laps, distance, and stroke count. The built-in GPS allows for open water swim tracking, and the device also provides a plethora of other fitness tracking features.
Pros:
- Comprehensive swim tracking
- GPS for open water swimming
- Wide range of additional smartwatch features
Cons:
- Expensive
- Compatibility limited to iPhone users
Garmin Forerunner 945
The Garmin Forerunner 945 is a high-end swimming smartwatch that offers advanced swim tracking features, including stroke type detection, pacing alerts, auto rest, and drill logging. It also provides heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and smart notifications. The Forerunner 945 is compatible with chest strap heart rate monitors for enhanced accuracy during swim workouts.
Pros:
- Advanced swim tracking features
- GPS for open water swimming
- Compatible with chest strap heart rate monitors
Cons:
- Expensive
- May be overwhelming for casual swimmers
Smart Swimming Goggles
Smart swimming goggles offer an innovative way to track your swimming metrics directly in your field of vision. These devices integrate tracking technology into the goggles themselves, providing real-time data without the need for a wrist-worn device. Two popular smart swimming goggles are:
FINIS Smart Goggle
The FINIS Smart Goggle features a small display in the corner of the goggle lens that provides real-time information on laps, splits, and distance. This device is powered by Ciye and syncs with the Ciye app for post-swim analysis. It is designed to fit exclusively with FINIS goggles, and the battery lasts about 6 hours.
Pros:
- Real-time swimming data in your field of vision
- Accurate tracking and easy to use
- No wrist-worn device needed
Cons:
- Small display may be difficult to read for some swimmers
- Only compatible with specific FINIS goggles
FORM Swim Goggles
The FORM Swim Goggles offer a built-in display within the goggle lens, providing real-time swimming metrics directly in front of you. These goggles track distance, pace, stroke count, and heart rate (with an optional sensor). The FORM Swim App allows you to analyze your swim data and customize the goggle display.
Pros:
- Real-time swim data in your field of vision
- Accurate tracking and easy to use
- Optional heart rate monitoring sensor
Cons:
- Expensive
- Display may be distracting for some swimmers
Budget Swimming Fitness Trackers
If you’re looking for a more affordable option for swim tracking, consider these budget-friendly fitness trackers:
Amazfit GTS
The Amazfit GTS smartwatch offers various swim tracking features at a fraction of the cost of some high-end devices. It features 50 meters of water resistance, heart rate monitoring, and 14 sports modes, including swimming.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Comprehensive swim tracking features
- Sleek design
Cons:
- Less accurate than some premium options
- Limited smartwatch features
Fitbit Inspire 2
The Fitbit Inspire 2 is a budget-friendly option for swim tracking, offering essential swimming metrics such as laps, distance, and pace. It also provides heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and various other fitness tracking features.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Slim design
- 50m water resistance
Cons:
- No GPS
- Subscription required for some features
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Swim Tracking Wearable
When selecting the best fitness wearable for swim tracking, consider the following factors:
- Waterproof rating: Ensure the device is waterproof and not just water-resistant.
- Swimming metrics: Look for devices that track essential swimming metrics like distance, stroke count, and pace.
- Battery life: Choose a wearable with a long battery life to avoid frequent recharging.
- Additional features: Consider devices that offer additional fitness tracking and smartwatch features.
Do You Need a Swim Tracking Wearable?
Whether you need a swim tracking wearable depends on your personal goals and preferences. If you’re serious about improving your swimming performance and want detailed insights into your progress, a swim tracking wearable can be an invaluable tool. However, if you’re not as concerned with tracking every aspect of your swim and prefer a more casual approach, a swim tracking wearable may not be necessary.
Benefits of Using Wearables for Swim Tracking
Investing in a swim tracking wearable comes with numerous benefits:
Improved performance
By monitoring your swimming metrics, you can identify areas for improvement and set goals accordingly.
Motivation
Seeing your progress in real-time can motivate you to push harder and achieve better results.
Comprehensive data
Swim tracking wearables offer in-depth data on various swimming metrics, helping you better understand your performance.
Convenience
With a swim tracking wearable, you can monitor your swim data without having to rely on manual tracking methods.
Tips for Using Fitness Trackers for Swimming
Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your swim tracking wearable:
- Make sure the wearable is secure on your wrist or goggles before swimming.
- Update your wearable’s software regularly to ensure accurate tracking and the latest features.
- Learn how to navigate the wearable’s interface and app for easy access to your swim data.
- Use the wearable consistently to track your progress over time.
Conclusion
The best fitness trackers swimming can significantly enhance your swimming experience by providing valuable insights into your performance. With options ranging from swimming fitness trackers and smartwatches to innovative smart goggles, there’s a swim tracking wearable to suit every swimmer’s needs. Don’t forget to consider factors such as waterproof rating, swimming metrics, battery life, and additional features when choosing the perfect wearable to help you reach your swimming goals.
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