General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Garmin 910 - How it can help my swim times Rss Feed  
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2015-06-29 12:26 PM

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Subject: Garmin 910 - How it can help my swim times
Here is my question - How can I use my Garmin 910 to improve my swim times? Does anyone know a guide I could to set up my watch in order to give me some metrics that would help me analyze my stroke. Right now, I'm swimming at a pace of 2:12x100 and I know I have room for improvement. Since it's summer, I'm doing most of my swims in a lake.

Also - how can I improve it's accuracy. I've heard of some people placing the watch in their swim cap but I still get the lost signal warning.

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!


2015-06-29 1:28 PM
in reply to: Qua17

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Subject: RE: Garmin 910 - How it can help my swim times
I'm not sure what stroke analysis you mean, but the only thing that the Garmin 910xt will help you do is measure strokes/minute. So you could use the data to help increase your stroke turnover number. When you use it in pool mode it also gives you a "swolf" (swim golf) number of strokes per length plus distance).

For me the only thing it really does in helping me improve my swim time is give me motivation to swim more.
2015-06-29 3:58 PM
in reply to: Qua17

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Subject: RE: Garmin 910 - How it can help my swim times

Originally posted by Qua17 Here is my question - How can I use my Garmin 910 to improve my swim times? Does anyone know a guide I could to set up my watch in order to give me some metrics that would help me analyze my stroke. Right now, I'm swimming at a pace of 2:12x100 and I know I have room for improvement. Since it's summer, I'm doing most of my swims in a lake. Also - how can I improve it's accuracy. I've heard of some people placing the watch in their swim cap but I still get the lost signal warning. Thanks in advance for your thoughts!

I just got a 920xt which I have been wearing in the pool for several weeks.  Truthfully, I find it more distracting than anything.

I not sure how the watch can help you, but I would concentrate on the effort you swim at if you are trying to improve times.  It's probably much easier in the pool than open water, but you should be doing a fair amount of high intensity relatively short sets.  Think of it as fartleks for swimming.  Pick some landmarks and then swim strong/hard for a couple minutes followed by some slow, active recovery; rinse and repeat.

2015-06-30 1:07 PM
in reply to: Hook'em

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Subject: RE: Garmin 910 - How it can help my swim times
Thanks for the advice everyone.
2015-06-30 1:22 PM
in reply to: Qua17

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Subject: RE: Garmin 910 - How it can help my swim times

So, i often don't fart around too much with my Garmin during the swim now that i know how to use it well but it's about looking at your data afterward. How your times over a distance change with harder/easier effort. Your SWOLF or stroke rate often will indicate efficiency ... i am not sure of the 'real' terms but you won't have to count the same way you would when you are doing Swim Golf or 'Score' (which is what my swim coach calls it).

Maybe none of that is super useful to you - if you're a long time swimmer you're automatically programmed to be looking at the pace clock and counting strokes and generally eschew wearing a watch. I am not. And i do find it helpful to have the data easily uploaded to review to see how i am progressing. 

I actually have the Garmin Swim which i assume is pretty much the same swim functionality as the 910 so take this for what it's worth: I find the set up is helpful when you have the drill mode and rest timer set up. 

 

2015-07-01 9:37 PM
in reply to: juniperjen

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Subject: RE: Garmin 910 - How it can help my swim times
Originally posted by juniperjen

So, i often don't fart around too much with my Garmin during the swim now that i know how to use it well but it's about looking at your data afterward. How your times over a distance change with harder/easier effort. Your SWOLF or stroke rate often will indicate efficiency ... i am not sure of the 'real' terms but you won't have to count the same way you would when you are doing Swim Golf or 'Score' (which is what my swim coach calls it).

Maybe none of that is super useful to you - if you're a long time swimmer you're automatically programmed to be looking at the pace clock and counting strokes and generally eschew wearing a watch. I am not. And i do find it helpful to have the data easily uploaded to review to see how i am progressing. 

I actually have the Garmin Swim which i assume is pretty much the same swim functionality as the 910 so take this for what it's worth: I find the set up is helpful when you have the drill mode and rest timer set up. 

 




Thanks Jen!


2015-07-02 2:00 AM
in reply to: Qua17

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Subject: RE: Garmin 910 - How it can help my swim times
I have used both the garmin 910xt and anded up buying a garmin swim for myself, mostly for data tracking, and I have a habit of second guessing whether I missed a lap and do extra just to be safe.

During the swim, it won't do you any better than the pace clock will, but if you value the data afterwards to see progress over time without having to record it all, then it's great.

It is nice looking back since I got back n the pool, seeing the swolf drop, seeing my paces increase, knowing for sure that I am setting PRs at me 100 or 250m etc.

It's also nice that the garmin tends to recognize most of my swimming as freestyle now instead of thinking that 1/3 of it is backstroke
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