Apple Watch Series 2: A Swimmer's Perspective

[Keymaster]

It seems like the GPS could be employed better, as it should be sensitive enough to tell when you've reached the end of the pool and turned around. Even if it's an estimate, that should be good enough, and could then adjust for varying speeds and strokes. That all should be a matter of software, it sounds like the hardware does everything it needs to already.

Hmmm, I'm starting to think about getting one of these, I need to start working out again and it seems like the right tool. A good pair of waterproof Bluetooth headphones would be a big asset as well.

 

[imwoblin]

Even though I've upgraded my Apple Watch (series 0 to 2), I just don't feel comfortable swimming in the pool or open ocean with a device that is glued together.
On the other hand, I feel absolutely comfortable swimming with my Rolex Submariner, which has gaskets and precision machining for its screw down case and crown.
I am still very happy with the AW.

 

[coolfactor]

If pools installed iBeacons at each end of the pool, would the watch be better able to track exact motion for kicking exercises? Seems like a great, practical use for that tech.

 

[ProphetX]

Theres an option to pause your workouts automatically when you stop moving. I’ve been doing this on my runs on my 1st gen apple watch.

As a lifelong swimmer, I found the addition of 50-meter water resistance and swim workout tracking in the Apple Watch Series 2 to be a welcome improvement that made the new watch a must-have upgrade for me. While the original Apple Watch was not rated for swimming, many users had no issues regularly using it in the water, although its lack of built-in swim tracking features limited its usefulness.

With Apple Watch Series 2, Apple has not only upgraded the water resistance with new gaskets and seals to make it suitable for swimming, but added new Pool Swim and Open Water Swim workouts to help track your progress. As part of the Apple Watch Series 2 introduction earlier this month, Apple highlighted how it worked with swimmers in the company's fitness labs to develop the software to accurately track swim workouts, from using the accelerometer in the watch to measure arm movements to tracking energy expenditures during workouts.

So how well does the new Apple Watch work when you take it for some swims in a pool? Let's take a look.


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Article Link: Apple Watch Series 2: A Swimmer's Perspective

 

[MacBird]

I think your perspective as a swimmer is similar to how many runners feel about AW as a running watch. If you are serious about the sport it's best to get a dedicated watch made for it. The AW tries hard to be a Jack-Of-All-Trades and truly is a master of none when it comes to sports tracking. It's a good activity tracker and huge convenience with notifications, ApplePay, signing in your Mac now. That is where it shines.

I'm hoping future iterations of the Nike branded AW becomes more of a unique, dedicated sports tracking watch than the marketing gimmick it is with the upcoming release. Apple needs to start designing sports watchs as sports watches rather than just slapping a name and unique band on the same watch that is in the other AW lines.

I can see your point. When I do HIIT, the Apple Watch counts fewer active calories than with the same amount of time at a leisurely walk. At least, HIIT is listed as one of those 'other' activities now, not that it improves the calorie count though.

 

[coolfactor]

The screen locks during the workout to prevent accidental touches from the water, and there isn't much of a need to touch the screen during the workout, as there's a lot of data right there on the screen and you can pause and resume with the crown and side button. But once I unlock the screen at the end, I haven't had any problems getting it to register my touches to end the workout.

Curious how easy it is to press the Crown and side button at the same time? Seems like it would be an awkward action. Maybe two fingers from the opposite hand?

 

[pat500000]

It's water proofness.

resistance.

 

[WildCowboy]

Theres an option to pause your workouts automatically when you stop moving. I’ve been doing this on my runs on my 1st gen apple watch.

That's only for running workouts. Doesn't work with the swim ones.

Curious how easy it is to press the Crown and side button at the same time? Seems like it would be an awkward action. Maybe two fingers from the opposite hand?

It's not that difficult. Just a squeeze with the opposite hand...thumb on one side and first and second fingers on the crown and side button. If you've taken a screenshot on the Apple Watch, that's the motion.

(Side note: In watchOS 3, Apple turned off the screenshot shortcut using those buttons, presumably because they interfere with the swim workout pause/resume on Series 2. You can turn the screenshot option back on in settings, but it means every time you pause/resume your swim workout you also get a screenshot.)

 

[69Mustang]

Nice informative article. We need more posts like this. Kudos.

Even with a rating of "waterproof," I wouldn't take my Apple watch into the ocean (saltwater). Does anyone known if Apple has commented how ocean-proof the new watch is?

Not picking on you, but I wish this "waterproof" misunderstanding would go away. The watch isn't waterproof and afaik there is no, nor has there ever been, such a thing as ocean-proof.

The Apple Watch has a water resistance (WR) rating, not a waterproof rating. It will never have a waterproof rating, especially in the US where it's prohibited from advertising a watch as waterproof.

Apparently, the warranty is not clear about it, it only says you shouldn't misuse it and it's marketed to be used in a pool.
Frankly, I'd still be way happier with a waterproof certification.

You'll never get one. Here's a good explanation in layman's terms. It's from CNet so watch out for the abhorrent autoplay video pop up. Water resistance v Waterproof

/rant over. apologies.

 

[BuddyTronic]

I'm in the market for it. This is water resistance...not proof, folks.

I think you are wrong about this

I believe the Watch Series 2 is waterproof to 50 meters depth!

That is water proof to deeper depth than a recreational SCUBA diver, so I think calling it Waterproof is appropriate!

Again - You'll never go deeper than 90 feet (30 meters), so this is waterproof.

Am I wrong?

 

[Born Again]

Get a Garmin if you want to track your swimming strokes and have interval workouts. it's also compatible with the swim heart rate strap.

Thanks OP on the feedback but there are severe limitations of the watch beginning with heart rate from the watch.

 

[44267547]

Does the watch notify you when your lap goal is complete? With water, I would assume it would have to be haptic feedback. Anything to not have to mind the lap counter....

That's a great question. Even with a lap completion, I'm thinking you would not feel the haptic feedback in the water. But I believe you would have some form of notification when you complete a lap and or goal.

 

[dgdosen]

An almost 2 mile swim only burns less than 600 calories? I'd think with swimming, you'd be on a pace to burn almost 1000 calories per hour.

 

[Zirel]

resistance.

Proofness for 50M

 

[pat500000]

I think you are wrong about this

I believe the Watch Series 2 is waterproof to 50 meters depth!

That is water proof to deeper depth than a recreational SCUBA diver, so I think calling it Waterproof is appropriate!

Again - You'll never go deeper than 90 feet (30 meters), so this is waterproof.

Am I wrong?

So tell me...how long can the watch stay in the water?

 

[5105973]

Do the regular activity rings work in the pool now? I just want my activity in the pool to count toward my calorie and exercise rings.

 

[pat500000]

Proofness for 50M

Doesn't matter...one of the things to consider is how long can it withstand in the water.

 

[WildCowboy]

An almost 2 mile swim only burns less than 600 calories? I'd think with swimming, you'd be on a pace to burn almost 1000 calories per hour.

It's going to vary based on your efficiency, but that seems about in line with my experience and other estimates I've used over the years.

Do the regular activity rings work in the pool now? I just want my activity in the pool to count toward my calorie and exercise rings.

Yes, it counts toward your activity rings.

 

[Zirel]

Nice informative article. We need more posts like this. Kudos.


Not picking on you, but I wish this "waterproof" misunderstanding would go away. The watch isn't waterproof and afaik there is no, nor has there ever been, such a thing as ocean-proof.

The Apple Watch has a water resistance (WR) rating, not a waterproof rating. It will never have a waterproof rating, especially in the US where it's prohibited from advertising a watch as waterproof.



You'll never get one. Here's a good explanation in layman's terms. It's from CNet so watch out for the abhorrent autoplay video pop up. Water resistance v Waterproof

/rant over. apologies.

Please stop spreading misinformation.

How much does Samsung pay you?

Waterproof/Water resistance the difference is that the Waterproof can be submerged for an infinite amount of time.

The Apple Watch can be submerged for as long as you want, as long it's up to 50 meters.

Doesn't matter...one of the things to consider is how long can it withstand in the water.

Can withstand indefinitely.

 

[Khedron]

Apparently, the warranty is not clear about it, it only says you shouldn't misuse it and it's marketed to be used in a pool.
Frankly, I'd still be way happier with a waterproof certification.

Watch makers are banned from using the term "waterproof" since that implies a certainty no watch can ever live up to

 

[Zirel]

I think your perspective as a swimmer is similar to how many runners feel about AW as a running watch. If you are serious about the sport it's best to get a dedicated watch made for it. The AW tries hard to be a Jack-Of-All-Trades and truly is a master of none when it comes to sports tracking. It's a good activity tracker and huge convenience with notifications, ApplePay, signing in your Mac now. That is where it shines.

I'm hoping future iterations of the Nike branded AW becomes more of a unique, dedicated sports tracking watch than the marketing gimmick it is with the upcoming release. Apple needs to start designing sports watchs as sports watches rather than just slapping a name and unique band on the same watch that is in the other AW lines.

So... which watch is better than the Apple Watch for running or swimming and why?

That's right, none.

 

[WildCowboy]

Please stop spreading misinformation.

How much does Samsung pay you?

Waterproof/Water resistance the difference is that the Waterproof can be submerged for an infinite amount of time.

The Apple Watch can be submerged for as long as you want, as long it's up to 50 meters.

It's still considered water resistance, hence the "WR-50" etched into the case.

 

[pat500000]

Please stop spreading misinformation.

How much does Samsung pay you?

Waterproof/Water resistance the difference is that the Waterproof can be submerged for an infinite amount of time.

The Apple Watch can be submerged for as long as you want, as long it's up to 50 meters.



Can withstand indefinitely.

Don't get cocky like Han Solo from Starwars.

Even the creator stated this:

 

[JonFairhurst]

I'm waiting for the Nike+ (in Seahawk-like colors) and am hoping that the swimming apps are improved by then.

I don't do distance freestyle. Almost everything is intervals. Long on one day for endurance. Medium the next for intensity. Short sprints for strength. So if it can't detect swim/rest periods, it's not so helpful.

I do almost all IMs and non-free strokes, so it's critical that it works for those. I'm a long distance-per-stroke person (6-8 fly strokes over 25m) and do fly kick off the wall, so I'm hoping that doesn't mess up the tracking.

It would be great if it could use GPS to figure out kick workouts, as I often do laps of dolphin kick on my side.

One thing I can't expect it to track would be water push ups. (With the body next to the side of the pool and hands on the deck just under the shoulders, push up as if getting out of the water.) In this case, the wrist barely moves, so I expect it to just look like resting. These are great within "crushers": Sprint fly one length, 10 water push ups, straight arm catch-up freestyle (fully extend the triceps), rest 10s, repeat.

So far, I've not used any swim tracker. I want a watch that I wear all day and charge each night, not a 2-hour charge, special device that I have to remember to maintain. With the right app, the new Apple Watch may finally meet my needs - but only if it can handle intervals and long DPS fly, back, and breast.

 

[dgdosen]

It's going to vary based on your efficiency, but that seems about in line with my experience and other estimates I've used over the years.

I'd be interested to compare to others... I wear a watch 0 in the pool and swim a mile a week. Anywhere between ~40 - ~50 minutes (I'm not fast ) depending if I'm doing a continuous swim or intervals. I'm always over 500 calories for the swim... and I practice total immersion swimming.