Newbie Lap Counting Question

RE: Newbie Lap Counting Question

Former Member — Sat, 10 May 2014 15:32:56 GMT

Keep count in your head. Technology is wonderful, but highly overrated for a task as simple as this. I hear what you are saying but the poolmate also acts as a stopwatch, records all the info for your entire workout, (which you can download onto your computer with the Pro model), tells you how many calories you have burned and the coolest feature of all (well for me anyway) is that it counts your strokes and gives you an efficiency rating. This has really helped me increase the efficiency of my stroke. I am one of the easily distracted types and I find it difficult to concentrate on my catch, head position, body roll, count my strokes and keep count of the number of laps I am doing at the same time. With the watch doing the stroke counting for me I can concentrate on my stroke. In fact I really only use it for the stroke count and stopwatch feature. I don't really need a lap counter as I never swim anything longer than a 200. It is nice to know how many meters I have swum at the end of a workout, though. Also to have a general idea of the number of calories burned (although I kind of suspect the accuracy of that feature). But if I do a set of say 10 x 100 it will record all the times and record a stroke count for each repeat (this is really neat as you can see your stroke count increase as you get tired). I don't have the Pro version. The basic model is sufficient for my needs. I don't need to download my workouts onto the computer but I suspect this might be more attractive to triathletes or long distance swimmers.

RE: Newbie Lap Counting Question

Judester — Sat, 10 May 2014 09:51:48 GMT

I use the Garmin Swim Watch, although it may be a little expensive just for counting laps. Some people complain that it adds an extra length every now and then but I've been using it 5 days a week for about two months and so far, it has never failed to count my lengths accurately. Honestly, though, I think the penny idea is a better option than buying a high-tech watch, especially if all you need is a lap counter.

RE: Newbie Lap Counting Question

rxleakem — Sat, 10 May 2014 08:25:03 GMT

For some of my longer swims (2-3,000), I'll repeat a 500 multiple times: 25-25-50-50-75-75-100-100. I focus on DPS during the first of the pair, then pick up the tempo for the second. The varying distance helps in keep track of yardage (for me).

RE: Newbie Lap Counting Question

Michael Heather — Sat, 10 May 2014 03:25:17 GMT

Keep count in your head. Swim several 100s and take note of the average time. When launching into the longer swim, you should already know what time to expect for each 100, simply watch the clock and compare. Adjust, obviously, if you are swimming faster or slower than expected. Technology is wonderful, but highly overrated for a task as simple as this.

RE: Newbie Lap Counting Question

TRYM_Swimmer — Sat, 10 May 2014 01:18:32 GMT

I do math in my head, figuring out the percentage of the swim I have finished, and, if possible, simplify the fraction: 35/80 = 7/16, etc. The simplification helps to keep the lap number in my head.

RE: Newbie Lap Counting Question

Former Member — Fri, 09 May 2014 05:37:57 GMT

You could buy one of these. They are relatively cheap, extremely accurate, have a whole host of other features other than lap counting and you don't have to push a button at the end of each lap. I have been extremely satisfied with mine since I got it a year and a half ago. My only criticism is that the strap is now showing some signs of wear and tear and when it breaks eventually, I don't know if it can be fixed. I remember seeing this complaint from someone else. I need to look into soon because perhaps they have a solution now.

RE: Newbie Lap Counting Question

flystorms — Thu, 08 May 2014 09:23:49 GMT

I have that same lap counter Elaine linked to and love it. I just click it at one end of the pool every time just before the turn. Between that and a rough estimate on time on when I should be at a certain place, and it all falls into place. Cracks me up when some of the guys will stop and look at me to see if we're done yet knowing I'm the only one with a counter.

RE: Newbie Lap Counting Question

trexleradam — Thu, 08 May 2014 06:29:30 GMT

I count internally and make up little games in my head. E.g. I think about how many laps I've done, what that divides into, how much I have left, and that seems to cement it in my brain. Sometimes I'll say the number sort of out loud. What other people have said about having a pace and checking that on the clock is also good. Without having intervals you could also do something different every fifth length, 7th length, or whatever (better if it's an odd number--keeps you alert and going in a different direction than the last one helps you remember). Examples: backstroke, fingertip drag, breathe every third, kick harder, go faster, etc.

RE: Newbie Lap Counting Question

knelson — Thu, 08 May 2014 06:13:39 GMT

If you have a digital clock within view you can periodically (every 200 yards) check the time. Doesn't even need to be digital. Analog pace clocks have minute hands, too.

RE: Newbie Lap Counting Question

secondheart — Thu, 08 May 2014 04:42:35 GMT

If you have a digital clock within view you can periodically (every 200 yards) check the time. I know that my pace will be within 10 seconds of a given 200 pace (in your case 4:00). This way you can be certain that you are on the correct lap (adjusting the expected time every 200).

RE: Newbie Lap Counting Question

Karl_S — Thu, 08 May 2014 04:32:46 GMT

Some people slide the beads on the lane rope. Watch out for waves or devious lanemates sliding the beads back when you are not looking though. I find that watching the pace clock (if there is one within view when swimming) is quite effective. I'll check the clock nearly every 50 or 100 yds. If I miss a look, or get confused, a quick calculation reveals whether I have completed 50, 100 or 150 since my last look. This should work unless your pace is very erratic.

RE: Newbie Lap Counting Question

Jimbosback — Thu, 08 May 2014 04:31:28 GMT

I use a Sportcount like Elaine linked. It is great as long as you remember to push the button. It will record all your splits, too.

RE: Newbie Lap Counting Question

jpetyk — Thu, 08 May 2014 04:17:42 GMT

you could take pennies, and after every 100 yards, slide a penny from one pile to the next. or if your pool has small tiles, you can line up a kick board and move it back a tile after every 100 or 200 yards to keep count.

RE: Newbie Lap Counting Question

Elaine Krugman — Thu, 08 May 2014 03:50:15 GMT