The swim smooth guys have a new site at www.swimtypes.com that attempts to classify swimmers into six types. I found it interesting to try, and to see how the classification changed when I played around with the input values.
One of the things I found interesting was that they said their data show that people are somewhat polarized between sub 1:25/100m continuous pace for "smooth"/ideal swimmers and plus 1:25/100m "overgliders" and that fitness doesn't seem to be a big factor in dividing people across that time. Most people with good technique will be under 1:25 pace and very few swimmers with overglider technique problems will be able to get under 1:25. They use your 400m time as the input so if your time is under 5:40 you will be classified as smooth, much over that and you'll be classified as an overglider or swinger.
In any case I would be interested in seeing how other people classify and whether you agree with the classification.
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Former Member
If you are already swimming relatively fast (under 1:10 for SCY), I wouldn't worry much how that web site classifies you. It is really directed at triathletes who are swimming 1:30 and higher. Advice for that group may not be applicable to faster swimmers.
I like swimsmooth and admire the way they are trying to adapt strokes to body types. But they really aren't geared to fast swimmers.
For the record, I'm an overglider, and that is probably accurate, as I am in good shape but can't break 1:20 for 100 yards. As others have noted, that is practically their definition of an overglider.
If you are already swimming relatively fast (under 1:10 for SCY), I wouldn't worry much how that web site classifies you. It is really directed at triathletes who are swimming 1:30 and higher. Advice for that group may not be applicable to faster swimmers.
I like swimsmooth and admire the way they are trying to adapt strokes to body types. But they really aren't geared to fast swimmers.
For the record, I'm an overglider, and that is probably accurate, as I am in good shape but can't break 1:20 for 100 yards. As others have noted, that is practically their definition of an overglider.
