I just joined a new pool that does not have any sort of pace clock. I want some advice on a small portable alternative that I could use, like a digital watch that can repeat 60 sec, or even an affordable small pace clock. I’ve done some research on watches but don’t know which ones are any good for pacing purposes. I've come across the classic runners stop watch, but find them very expensive. If anyone has had success with a timing device, please advise.
I know you are working toward getting a timing tool (watch, etc), but try also looking into a heart rate monitor if you want a different look at your workouts. You can base everything on a target heart rate for the entire workout; just puts a new spin on things.
Coach,
What would be the target heart rate to which one would drop during the rest phase for repeat, all-out 25-yard sprints? Or should the rest duration be determined (found) simply by limiting rest just long enough to achieve 90% maximum heart rate (MHR) during each sprint? That is, if you don't get 90% MHR on a sprint because of fatigue, rest a little longer to hit the sprint with enough intensity to get 90% MHR, while maintaining perfect form and explosiveness. And should the rest phase be adjusted (likely increased) over the sprint session to account for fatigue?
Former Member
Had the same problem and I don't like swimming with a watch around my wrist. I bought the biggest digital kitchen time I could find - was about $15. It's not waterproof - so I got a little plastic casing for it. It worked really well for the money.
Former Member
It seems like any waterproof watch with a second hand would do the trick just fine. A pace clock is simply a really big clock, after all.
Any watch that displays seconds does this by definition.
I would amend this to read "any waterproof watch that is actually waterproof". Make sure it actually is waterproof, because I bought a watch that was supposed to be waterproof to 10m, and it filled with water and broke in less than four feet of water.
Former Member
I swear by the Finis (?) Tempo Trainer. It's a tiny little beeper that you attach to your goggles. You can set it for stroke cadence, kick speed (down to 0.2 seconds) or for intervals (by 25s, 50s, whatever) from any time above 0.2 seconds up to 9.99 minutes, or something like that.
It really helps the near-sighted. Plus, you don't have to rely on a clock. When it beeps you just take off and then it beeps at whatever interval you've set it on. If it beeps too early (after your turn, for example), then you know you're ahead of pace; if it beeps halfway down a 25, well, you know you need to pick it up. It makes swimming fly very fun (I set it so I pull every 1.5 secs; I know that's slow, but I'm working my way down to 1.2 secs).
I ordered it online. It was $40, including shipping.
Is this something I could use to work on breaststroke pacing?
I'm trying to find a device that will emit a sound under water to speed up or slow down the stroke.
I would amend this to read "any waterproof watch that is actually waterproof". Make sure it actually is waterproof, because I bought a watch that was supposed to be waterproof to 10m, and it filled with water and broke in less than four feet of water.
Yep. A watch needs to be water-resistant to 50 meters (5ATM) if you are going to use it for swimming. Anything less than that is mostly just to protect against accidental splashes.
If you're interested in buying a product designed exactly for your needs, take a look at my product, the PaceWatch. It's available at my website (brilliantswim.com).
