Technique-Focused Swim Workout from Swimsense
Wednesday, February 9, 2011 at 1:22PM One of our company goals is to make it as easy as possible for you to record your exercise in order to later analyze your workouts and monitor overall fitness. We’re excited to let you in on some upcoming device integration --- we're working with a device that will bring tracking workouts to life...in the pool.
Swimmers have never had power meters, GPS watches or foot pods to track pace. Until recently, there hasn't been a device to really track swim data. Finis changes that. Their product, Swimsense, is a swim training tool that records pace times, distance (meters/yards/laps), stroke count, stroke rate, distance-per-stroke and calories burned across all four major strokes.
Soon, TrainingPeaks will be able to receive and analyze data from the Swimsense device. We're excited to have the compatibility and we're anxious to see how you can utilize the data to become even better athletes. We’re in the final phases of the integration and will let you know as soon as it’s ready for you to start using.
Finis keeps a great blog covering a lot of topics related to swimming – be sure to check it out. For those of you looking for a good workout to help you focus on technique, check out this suggestion from Mark Stephens over on the Finis blog:
If you are swimmer, you have probably done a “pyramid” set that builds up and down in distance. The purpose of these sets is to build up to an aerobic capacity, and then shift gears and build down to anaerobic power. Pyramid sets are also beneficial in that they seem to go by quicker than other standard repeat sets. Here is one example I did with my swimmers:
50 @ 80% effort on 5 seconds rest
100 @ 80% effort on 10 seconds rest
150 @ 80% effort on 15 seconds rest
200 @ 90% effort on 20 seconds rest
150 @ 90% effort on 25 seconds rest
100 @ 90% effort on 30 seconds rest
50 @ 100% effort
The goal is to go as fast as possible on the last 50, with perfect technique. Starting out at a lower effort level lets the swimmer focus on their stroke. The challenge is to keep that perfect stroke as you build your effort up and down the pyramid. Remembering all the tips a coach tells you (tight streamline, high elbow, pointed toes) will let you confidently attack that last 50.
You can learn more about Finis and the Swimsense here.
Did you know that TrainingPeaks calculates Training Stress Scores (TSS) for swimming? All you need to know are your threshold swim pace, the distance you swam and your total moving duration (time spent actually swimming – not including rest) You can read more about how Swim TSS is calculated here. Don’t know what TSS is? It’s a metric that tells you how much stress a workout put on your body. TrainingPeaks calculates this number for you and with that number, you can make sure your workouts are putting enough stress on your body to increase your fitness, but not so much that you can’t recover properly. Want more information on TSS? Check out these TrainingPeaks Support Center articles.
Reader Comments (11)
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by TrainingPeaks, SportSense and FINIS Inc., Fabiano. Fabiano said: RT @TrainingPeaks: An update on TP integration w/ @Swimsense and a technique-focused swim workout: http://bit.ly/eUhg1X [...]
Just to note that Swimovate's PoolMate has been marketed for a year, with their PoolMate Pro version available late 2010. Both units automatically capture lap count and lap time data, with the Pro model downloading to the supplied software or exportable to .csv files. I find the PoolMate and PoolMate Pro watches to be very accurate and easy to use, and hope TrainingPeaks will support data from this unit too.
Hi,
We're always looking to work with any device companies who can help us get their data into our system! Thanks for the feedback.
The Swimovate PoolMate was the first and a way better looking device been around for almost 2 years. So obviously not as groundbreaking Looks like Finis copied a Casio calculator watch for their design bulky ugly square. I have a couple triathletes I coach in the UK using them. Though good to have something available in the US.
Different people like different designs, I think. We're just excited that the technology is here, becoming more mainstream and that Finis has worked with us to help get their data into TrainingPeaks! :)
Used both; Prefer the swimsense by far. It may not be "pretty", but then again, who the hell uses a watch for a fashion parade in a pool?!
I have recently bought the Pool Mate Pro and the watch works really well (and I think looks a bit better than the Finis but then I've not tried the Finis so can't really compare).
Anyway I think there are lots of users of the Pool Mate here in the UK (the Finis is not yet available) and more specifically lots of triathletes who also use TrainingPeaks, and have done for years (myself being one). It would be great to see support for Pool Mate Pro but it seems there is some sort of tie-up with TrainingPeaks and Finis I just get the impression so I really hope that doesn't mean TrainingPeaks aren't going to try to support the Swimsense PoolMate.... I would have thought some bright spark out there would fairly easily be able to convert the .csv output into something TrainingPeaks can recognise?
Hey Rob,
That's absolutely not true. We're working with Swimovate also, Finis just helped us lay some of the groundwork. In fact, we're doing some cool additions to the site that will allow for a TON of data tracking for any swim metrics. You'll be able to monitor swim TSS and TP will be better equipped for analyzing data from swim workouts. We're really excited. Definitely not shutting anyone out of working with us...ever. We know you guys use TONS of different devices and we want to be compatible with them all.
Thanks for the great feedback. Look for the updates soon!
How much longer? I can't stand the anticipation!
Hey Adam,
Should be here within the next few weeks. We'll let you know as soon as it's finished.
Thanks for checking!
-Courtney
Has there been any update on the swimsense TP software integration?