Swim Efficiency Calculator (Pool Training)
Calculator works best on a Desktop Computer
About the Calculator
I built this calculator for personal training as there was not a suitable self-coaching tool on the market, and I needed a way to track improvement (Before the first watches rolled out on market (Yes, I'm that old, and I have that much experience with swimming and data)). I include it for free here because it’s proven, timeless, and valuable personal development tool.
This calculator provides data about a swim, based on three metrics.
1) Stroke Count: stroke count is the number of times that one of your hands, passes in front of you completing a full stroke movement. “Count both hands for 25 (yards or meters), I counted the last length of the pool that I completed to take into consideration the loss of efficiency over distance (If you are lucky enough to be swimming in a 50 (yard or meter) pool then count for the 50 and divide by two).
2) Distance: distance can be calculated one of two ways, laps or in yards/meters, it’s your option as to which way you would like to keep track. You only need to fill out the appropriate column, using the white fields.
3) Time: Input the time of your swim in the following format. Hours, Minutes, Seconds: 00:00:00.
-Efficiency: There is a specific challenge to measuring efficiency, as it requires a standard. There is not an existing standard for efficiency in swimming so I is using one second per yard and, one stroke per yard as the baseline. For example if you swim a 100 yards in 100 seconds with 100 strokes then the score would be zero. The trouble with this approach is that is creates a hinge in the calculator and allows it to calculate negative numbers for efficiency. The negative numbers also spill over into the points calculation. I’m not happy with this, but in an effort to keep the numbers accurate and allow for growth it remains. The conversion is done for the meter pool so that it is accurate in comparison to the yard pool calculation. If you are in a meter pool, the efficiency per 100 is in yards, not meters. Stroke count is also automatically converted. Another efficiency metric that is included is SWOLF, or as originally titled Swim Golf score, SWOLF is simply Swim Golf divided by two. I considerer this an ineffective, and extremely general metric but it’s included in many GPS tracking algorithms so it’s in there for comparison.
Points - This is a good way to track your progress month over month. It's a proprietary skill metric, and a way to see your progress. As long as you can compete against yourself, you will hone your skills. Normally it's very difficult to see improvement, but with points, if you can beat your previous best score, then you’re a better swimmer. Track this metric over time, roll it up monthly and watch your averages grow, it's very fulfilling!
I has been asked “why did you not build calories into the calculator?”. The answer is accuracy, the calculator is based on real math not estimates, the second that I puts something as subjective as calorie burn it losses some credibility. A nice round estimate for calories is 7 burned for every 50 yards, which equates to about 7.5 for 50 meters. This is probably pretty accurate for an average adult swimmer who is doing everything in their power to make a 1K distance. Someone who is out of shape and getting into the pool for the first time will be burning more calories (+2) and someone who is accustomed to swimming longer distances with good efficiency will burn less (-2). It all goes back to the rule that the body will accommodate the stress it’s put under, calorie efficiency is part of that.
This calculator provides data about a swim, based on three metrics.
1) Stroke Count: stroke count is the number of times that one of your hands, passes in front of you completing a full stroke movement. “Count both hands for 25 (yards or meters), I counted the last length of the pool that I completed to take into consideration the loss of efficiency over distance (If you are lucky enough to be swimming in a 50 (yard or meter) pool then count for the 50 and divide by two).
2) Distance: distance can be calculated one of two ways, laps or in yards/meters, it’s your option as to which way you would like to keep track. You only need to fill out the appropriate column, using the white fields.
3) Time: Input the time of your swim in the following format. Hours, Minutes, Seconds: 00:00:00.
-Efficiency: There is a specific challenge to measuring efficiency, as it requires a standard. There is not an existing standard for efficiency in swimming so I is using one second per yard and, one stroke per yard as the baseline. For example if you swim a 100 yards in 100 seconds with 100 strokes then the score would be zero. The trouble with this approach is that is creates a hinge in the calculator and allows it to calculate negative numbers for efficiency. The negative numbers also spill over into the points calculation. I’m not happy with this, but in an effort to keep the numbers accurate and allow for growth it remains. The conversion is done for the meter pool so that it is accurate in comparison to the yard pool calculation. If you are in a meter pool, the efficiency per 100 is in yards, not meters. Stroke count is also automatically converted. Another efficiency metric that is included is SWOLF, or as originally titled Swim Golf score, SWOLF is simply Swim Golf divided by two. I considerer this an ineffective, and extremely general metric but it’s included in many GPS tracking algorithms so it’s in there for comparison.
Points - This is a good way to track your progress month over month. It's a proprietary skill metric, and a way to see your progress. As long as you can compete against yourself, you will hone your skills. Normally it's very difficult to see improvement, but with points, if you can beat your previous best score, then you’re a better swimmer. Track this metric over time, roll it up monthly and watch your averages grow, it's very fulfilling!
I has been asked “why did you not build calories into the calculator?”. The answer is accuracy, the calculator is based on real math not estimates, the second that I puts something as subjective as calorie burn it losses some credibility. A nice round estimate for calories is 7 burned for every 50 yards, which equates to about 7.5 for 50 meters. This is probably pretty accurate for an average adult swimmer who is doing everything in their power to make a 1K distance. Someone who is out of shape and getting into the pool for the first time will be burning more calories (+2) and someone who is accustomed to swimming longer distances with good efficiency will burn less (-2). It all goes back to the rule that the body will accommodate the stress it’s put under, calorie efficiency is part of that.