While out for a swim, you notice that many of your pool-mates are now using fitness trackers. These wearable devices, which often resemble traditional watches, come equipped with a range of useful functions. But are they really worth it for people mainly interested in swimming? Let’s answer that question with the help of the latest info on the trackers now on the market.

What Is a Fitness Tracker?

Before exploring their usefulness to swimmers, it helps to start with a basic definition of fitness trackers. All devices in this category contain technology that allows them to track your level of activity. Specific information commonly tracked includes:

  • The number of steps you take
  • The number of stairs you climb
  • The overall distance you walk or run in a day
  • The overall duration of your activity

All of the major tracker makers (e.g., Fitbit, Garmin, and Apple) have created smartphone apps for their products. These apps record long-term stats and generally provide greater detail on your activities.

Many trackers also have more advanced functions. For example, they can monitor your heartbeat, both at rest and while active. Also, they can make rough estimates of how many calories you burn each day. Today, the market also includes devices equipped with a variety of exercise profiles. These profiles allow them to measure your performance while engaged in many different activities. One such activity found on a range of devices is swimming.

Swimming Tracker Basics

All fitness trackers designed for swimmers are water-resistant. The degree of resistance provided depends on the device you buy. When shopping for a tracker, be aware of a measurement called ATM (short for atmospheres). This reading tells you how far down you can go before damage occurs. A single ATM is equal to the constant water pressure found at a depth of 33 feet (i.e., 10 meters). Typical water-resistant trackers stay functional at up to 5 ATM, or 164 feet (50 meters).

Essentially, all swimmer-friendly fitness trackers will work in an indoor pool. However, the specific information provided to you can vary from device to device. Depending on the tracker, you may receive data that includes heart rate, intervals, and your lap count and pace. (Be aware that not all devices will show matching readings for these statistics.) Some higher-end devices also allow you to track your swimming in open waters. This is especially helpful for tri-athletes, who often must swim in oceans, bays or rivers.

Usefulness to Swimmers

Above and beyond recording basic data, there are a range of reasons for using a fitness tracker while swimming. For example, you can use a tracker to set specific goals for yourself, including:

  • Swimming for a certain amount of time or distance
  • Improving your time relative to the times of other swimmers
  • Improving your time relative to your own previous best attempts

If you swim for competitive purposes, there are a couple of other important reasons for using a tracker. First, with the information recorded on your tracker or app, you can plan out each training session. You may find this particularly helpful if you don’t have a swim coach. Swimmers who don’t have a coach may also treasure the motivation they get from tracking their activities. Of course, the same motivational benefits apply to newer swimmers and people with instructors.

Use of a swim tracker can also help you stay honest with yourself while in the water. Intentionally or not, many swimmers drop their pace while training or exercising. If you do this, you may feel better in the short run, as you appear to reach your stated goals. However, like the consumption of empty calories, this strategy won’t pay off in the long run. With a fitness tracker to keep you accountable, you have less of a chance of falling into unhelpful habits.

Which Tracker Is Best for You?

With so many options available, you may wonder which fitness tracker is best suited to your needs. Unfortunately, that’s not always an easy question to answer. Factors that can affect your decision include both the functions and style you prefer. Some trackers offer a vast array of exercise profiles, while others provide just a few. Also, some trackers have visual displays, while others don’t. You must also weigh the importance of device features not related to fitness, as well as device battery life.

If you want a tracker primarily for swimming, it might help to seek advice from swim instructors in your area. These instructors can help you make smart choices that satisfy your short- and long-term needs. They can also help you achieve a level of skill that allows you to use your tracker to its fullest.