So, you love hitting the pool but want to track your progress? Great choice! A swim tracker can be handy for you to measure laps, distance, and even your stroke. But with so many options, choosing the right one can be tricky. Don’t worry; we’re here to help! In this guide, we’ll explore the best fit tracker for swimming to find the perfect fit for your needs and budget.
Features of Swim Trackers
Swim trackers are innovative devices designed to monitor and enhance your swimming experience. The following are the features offered by swim trackers:
Track Distance and Pace: Most swim trackers can automatically detect when you’re swimming and track the distance you cover. Some can even differentiate between different strokes (freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly) and track your pace for each. This can help you monitor your progress and see how you’re improving over time.
Stroke Recognition and Analysis: Advanced swim trackers can identify your stroke type and provide feedback on your technique. This can include metrics like stroke count, stroke rate, and SWOLF score. With this information, you can identify areas for improvement and work on perfecting your technique.
Pool Length Entry: For pool swimming, some trackers require you to manually enter the pool length so they can accurately calculate distance. This is usually a simple process done through the companion app.
Open Water Swimming: Some trackers are also designed for open water swimming, using GPS to track your route and distance. This can help track your progress in longer swims or races.
Heart Rate Monitoring: Not all trackers offer heart rate monitoring while swimming, but some do. This can be useful for gauging your effort level and tracking your calorie burn. However, it’s important to note that heart rate readings may not be as accurate underwater as they are on land.
Interval Training: Users can program customized interval sets directly into their swim tracker, allowing for structured training sessions tailored to individual goals and fitness levels to optimize their swim workouts and improve their performance.
Automatic Lap Counting: Accurately tracks the number of laps swum during a session without manual counting. This feature utilizes advanced motion sensors or algorithms specifically calibrated for swimming movements to detect when a swimmer completes a lap.
Calorie Tracking: This feature uses advanced algorithms and user input data to estimate calories burned based on swim duration, intensity, stroke type, and personal biometrics.
Workout Summaries: Swimmers can track their progress and make informed decisions about their training regimen with clear overviews of key performance metrics and trends from workouts.
Goal Setting: It empowers users to establish clear objectives and track progress. Whether swimmers aim to improve their technique, increase endurance, or enhance overall fitness, goal-setting features provide a framework for setting, monitoring, and achieving goals effectively.
Ultimately, the best fit tracker for swimming depends on your needs and preferences. Consider what features are most important to you, your budget, and your desired style when making your decision.
Top 10 Best Fit Trackers for Swimming 2024
Fitbit Charge 6
The Fitbit Charge 6 has a sleek design that helps you set and achieve your fitness goals. It tracks important metrics like steps, distance, and calories burned, along with advanced features like heart rate zones and sleep tracking. 40+ exercise modes and automatic recognition help you to improve your strokes and endurance. Built-in GPS, swimproof design, contactless payments, and long battery life are available.
Garmin Vivosmart 5
The Garmin Vivosmart 5 is a sleek fitness tracker with unique features such as 24/7 activity tracking, heart rate monitoring, sleep analysis, and built-in GPS for outdoor workouts. It is swim-proof and comfortable to wear, with a bright display and accurate GPS. However, some users have reported drawbacks, such as the lack of a touchscreen and occasional app glitches. Overall, it’s perfect for a stylish tracker with essential features.
Amazfit Band 7
If you are looking for an affordable feature-packed tracker, then the Amazfit Band 7 is for you! This budget-friendly tracker has a stunning AMOLED display, tracks your usual steps, sleep, and heart rate, and has built-in GPS for outdoor adventures. Plus, it’s 5 ATM water-resistant, perfect for poolside activities. Users love its bright display, impressive battery life, and comfortable fit. However, some complain about the built-in mic for calls and music and improved sleep tracking.
Xiaomi Band 7 Pro
Xiaomi Band 7 Pro fitness tracker comes with a bigger AMOLED display, which is sunlight-friendly and brighter than its previous version, the Band 7. It also includes an in-built GPS for detailed outdoor tracking. The tracker has a longer battery life of up to 12 days, which makes it perfect for uninterrupted tracking. Users are impressed with the bright display, comfortable fit, and accurate GPS tracking. However, users would like a built-in mic for calls and music and more detailed insights on sleep.
Garmin Swim 2
The Garmin Swim 2 is a GPS smartwatch designed to track every stroke while swimming. It can accurately measure distance, pace, stroke count, and heart rate, all while being comfortably waterproof for up to 5 ATM. The watch is praised for its accuracy, comfort, and long battery life. However, its high price and lack of a touchscreen may not suit everyone’s preferences. However, for serious swimmers who require a dependable tracker, the Swim 2 offers excellent value in pools and open water.
Polar Vantage M2
This is a multisport GPS watch that is specifically designed for serious athletes. The Polar Vantage M2 has advanced running metrics, personalized FitSpark workouts, and in-depth recovery tracking. It also monitors heart rate, pace, and distance with built-in GPS. Users really love its accuracy, comfort, and lengthy battery life. However, the price tag and occasional app glitches might make some hesitant to purchase it.
Suunto 9 Baro
The Suunto 9 Baro has an impressive 120-hour battery life when in GPS mode. It is made with lightweight and durable materials that can withstand any condition and is water-resistant up to 100 meters. The watch has built-in GPS, barometer, weather tracking features, and multiple sports modes, making it an ideal choice for athletes. While users appreciate its durability, long battery life, and accurate GPS, some might find the high price tag, large size, and slightly less user-friendly interface a bit discouraging.
Coros Vertix 2
The Coros Vertix 2 is a highly durable fitness watch with advanced features. It has a titanium build that can withstand tough conditions, and its dual-frequency GPS provides accurate tracking. Its impressive battery life lasts up to 45 days, and the watch’s diamond-coated sapphire glass ensures scratch resistance, making it suitable for rocky terrains. The watch features heart rate monitoring, training metrics, and built-in maps to guide your workouts. It also comes with weather alerts and emergency assistance, ensuring safety during outdoor activities.
Apple Watch Series 8
The Apple Watch Series 8 is more than a regular smartwatch; it is a comprehensive health and wellness companion with several unique features. This sleek device comes with a temperature sensor that helps track your sleep patterns, and it also has cycle-tracking support for women to understand their health better. The Crash Detection feature is another unique addition that helps keep you safe by connecting to emergency services in case of any accidents. Besides health features, the Series 8 boasts fitness features like swim tracking, advanced metrics, and personalized coaching. It has a bright display, various band options, and long battery life, but some people wish it had a more affordable price tag and longer cellular data connectivity.
Samsung Galaxy Watch 5
The Samsung Galaxy Watch 5 is a personalized gateway to improved health and fitness. Whether you are a seasoned athlete or a casual mover, this watch empowers you to set and achieve specific goals. Track key metrics like steps, distance, calories burned, and advanced features like heart rate zones, sleep tracking, and even body composition analysis. Choose from 40+ workout modes, or let SmartTrack automatically recognize your activity. Built-in GPS tracks, swimproof design, contactless payments, and long battery life are all wrapped in a stylish and customizable package.
Conclusion
Selecting the right tracker that meets your needs and preferences can significantly improve your swimming experience. With the help of advanced features provided by top-rated swimming trackers, swimmers can monitor their progress, improve their workouts, and ultimately achieve their fitness goals with confidence and accuracy in both pool and open water.
