Whether you’re a casual swimmer looking to improve your fitness or a competitive athlete aiming to shave off those crucial seconds at your next swim meet, swimming apps can be a game-changer. These apps have revolutionized the way we approach swimming, offering a range of features from tracking workouts to providing technique tips. So what are the best apps for swimmers in 2023?

As a professional swimmer and coach, I’ve seen firsthand the impact these apps can have. I remember starting to test apps for the first time and being amazed at how they could personalize my workouts and provide video lessons to improve my technique. It felt like having a coach right in my pocket!

Sneak Peek

  1. Swim Coach – My favorite overall app for swimmers.
  2. SwimUp – A very close runner-up! A valuable tool for all swim levels.
  3. MySwimPro – Great content and community, but a bit pricey.
  4. Swim.com – A great, free option for swimmers of all levels.
  5. TrainingPeaks – A fantastic option for endurance athletes.
  6. ChampionsMind – The best app for those looking to up their mental training.

Why Use Swimming Apps?

The benefits of using swimming apps are manifold. Here are a few key reasons:

  • Progress Tracking: These apps allow you to track your workouts, monitor your progress, and set personal goals. It’s incredibly satisfying to see your improvements visualized over time.
  • Technique Improvement: Many apps provide video lessons and tips to help you refine your strokes and turns. This can be a great supplement to in-person coaching.
  • Motivation: Social features that let you connect with other swimmers and participate in challenges can be a fun way to stay motivated and engaged with your training.

Review of The Top 9 Swimming Apps

1. Swim Coach

My favorite overall app for swimmers.

Best Overall
Swim coach

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

  • Features: Personalized workouts and plans, a workout log, instructional videos, and the ability to send workouts to compatible smartwatches.
  • User Experience: User-friendly interface, simple metrics, and structured training programs, but some find the workouts a bit random and would like the ability to modify workouts.
  • Compatibility: Compatible with Garmin, Wear OS, and Apple Watch.
  • Cost: The app offers a free version with limited features and a Gold version with more exercises, goal-specific training plans, and additional features.
  • Community: The app has a high rating of 4.7 stars, with over 100,000 downloads and users who have made significant progress using the app.
APP STORE GOOGLE PLAY

The Swim Coach app is a highly beneficial tool for enhancing swimming and triathlon training. The personalized workouts and plans cater to various training focuses, providing a tailored approach that can significantly aid in performance improvement. The workout log feature is particularly useful for tracking progress over time. The app’s compatibility with various smartwatches is a plus, allowing for seamless integration into training routines.

While the free version offers a good range of features, the Gold version seems to provide a more comprehensive training experience with additional exercises and goal-specific plans. Some users have noted that the workouts can feel a bit random, suggesting an area for potential improvement. However, the high user rating and large user base suggest that many find the app effective. You can pick up the monthly subscription for just $7.99/mo, but you get a great deal if you buy the 1 or 3-year subscription option!

Overall, Swim Coach is my favorite, most valuable addition to any swimmer or triathlete’s training toolkit.

2. SWIMUP

A very close runner-up! A valuable tool for all swim levels.

Best for All Levels
SWIMUP

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

  • Features: 8 swimming modes, personalized training plans, smart performance analytics, and a digital library of swimming exercises with educational videos.
  • User Experience: Users find the app easy to use, with helpful educational videos, although some find drill descriptions hard to understand.
  • Compatibility: The app is compatible with both phone and tablet devices and has improved performance for Garmin watches.
  • Cost: SwimUp offers some free workouts, but full access requires a $9.99/mo subscription.
  • Community: The app has a high rating of 4.6 stars, with over 50,000 downloads and an active community providing feedback.
APP STORE GOGGLE PLAY

I find the SwimUp app to be a valuable tool for both beginners and experienced swimmers. The variety of swimming modes caters to different skill levels and goals, from mastering basic strokes to optimizing performance for triathlons. The personalized training plans and smart analytics offer a tailored approach to improvement, allowing swimmers to track their progress effectively. The digital library is a standout feature, providing a wealth of educational resources that can enhance understanding and technique.

While users have noted some minor issues with drill descriptions, the accompanying videos are a great aid. The compatibility with various devices, including Garmin watches, adds convenience. Although the app operates on a freemium model, the value it provides could justify the competitive subscription cost of just $9.99/mo for serious swimmers. The active community and high user rating speak to the app’s quality and effectiveness.

Overall, SwimUp could be a game-changer for swimmers looking to elevate their training regimen.

3. MySwimPro

Great content and community, but a bit pricey.

Best Overall
MYSWIMPRO

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

  • Features: Personalized swim training plans, daily workouts, an extensive workout library, and the ability to send workouts to compatible smartwatches.
  • User Experience: Users find the app helpful for improving swimming techniques and staying accountable, but some feel the workouts are stale and the app is expensive.
  • Compatibility: Compatible with various smartwatches, including Garmin, Wear OS, and Apple Watch.
  • Cost: The app offers a free version with limited features and a pro version starting at $19.99/mo.
  • Community: Connect with other swimmers, and participate in challenges as a paid subscriber.
App Store Goggle play

MySwimPro is a comprehensive tool for swimmers of all levels. The personalized training plans and daily workouts provide a structured approach to training, which can be beneficial for swimmers aiming to improve their performance. The ability to send workouts to compatible smartwatches is a convenient feature that can streamline training sessions.

However, some users have noted that the workouts can feel repetitive, suggesting there might be room for more variety or customization. The cost of the app is a consideration, with some users feeling it’s on the higher side of $19.99/mo. However, the extensive workout library and additional features offered in the premium version could provide great value for serious swimmers. The app’s community is quite large, indicating a wide user base and active engagement. Based on my research, it seems to iOS version is currently more up-to-date than the Android version, which lacks regular updates.

Overall, MySwimPro could be a useful tool for swimmers seeking a structured and personalized training regimen, provided they find the cost justified. Check out the free version first and see what you think!

4. Swim.com

A great, free option for swimmers of all levels.

Best for Automatic Tracking
Swim.com

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

  • Features: Automatically records pool and open water swims, advanced swim stats, leaderboards, and swim workout selection.
  • User Experience: Easy swim recording, accurate tracking, motivating monthly challenges, customizable workouts, intuitive interface, and the ability to track desired information.
  • Compatibility: Compatible with Wear OS devices, Samsung wearables, Suunto, and Garmin watches.
  • Cost: Free app with unlimited access to smart swimming workouts.
  • Community: Ability to share and add custom workouts, compete with friends and swimmers worldwide, and compare performances.
App Store Goggle play

Swim.com, created and used by US Masters Swimming program, is a fantastic tool for swimmers of all levels. Its automatic tracking feature allows you to focus on your swim without worrying about starting and stopping the app. The app also offers stroke detection, pace tracking, interval analysis, and a social component to connect with other swimmers and participate in challenges. As a coach, I appreciate the ability to create and deliver custom workouts directly to my athletes’ wrists.

While Swim.com offers a range of impressive features, it’s not without its drawbacks. Some users have reported issues with the app’s accuracy in tracking laps and strokes, which can be frustrating for those who rely on the app for detailed analytics. Additionally, while the app does offer a social component, it’s not as robust as some other swimming apps, limiting the opportunities for community engagement and competition. The interface, while generally user-friendly, can also be a bit complex for beginners to navigate. Lastly, some users have reported occasional syncing issues with certain wearable devices. Despite these cons, many swimmers find the benefits of Swim.com outweigh these potential downsides.

Overall, Swim.com stands out as a comprehensive and user-friendly app that offers a wide range of features, making it a valuable tool for swimmers of all levels. Not to mention it’s free!

5. TrainingPeaks

A fantastic option for endurance athletes seeking a comprehensive training platform.

Best FOR TRIATHLETES
TrainingPeaks

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

  • Features: Perfect fitness app for endurance athletes, compatible with over 100 apps and devices, including Apple Health app, auto-sync feature, and goal-oriented training plans.
  • User Experience: Positive customer ratings (4.8 out of 5), praised for its training plans, flexibility, and in-depth analysis of training data.
  • Compatibility: Available on the App Store for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
  • Cost: Free version available, premium version with additional features
  • Community: No social component
APP STORE Google Play

Though not exclusively a swimming app, TrainingPeaks is a comprehensive training platform that can be used by swimmers to plan, track, and analyze their workouts. Whether your goal is to run a half marathon, finish a Gran Fondo, or improve your swimming technique, TrainingPeaks has got you covered.

The app offers features like workout planning, performance analysis, and goal setting. As a coach, I find this app useful for monitoring my athletes’ progress and ensuring they stay on track with their training goals. The app is compatible with both iOS and Android devices, and it offers a free version with the option to upgrade to a premium version, with additional features for $19.99/mo.

However, TrainingPeaks is not without its cons. Some users have reported that the app can be overwhelming due to the vast amount of data and analytics it provides. It’s a paradise for metric geeks, but for those who prefer a simpler interface, it might take some time to get used to.

Overall, TrainingPeaks stands out as a comprehensive and advanced training platform that offers a wide range of features, making it a valuable tool for endurance athletes of all levels.

6. Champion’s Mind

My favorite app for those looking to up their mental training.

Best for Mental Training
Champion’s Mind

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

  • Features: Perfect fitness app for endurance athletes, compatible with over 100 apps and devices, including Apple Health app, auto-sync feature, and goal-oriented training plans.
  • User Experience: Positive customer ratings (4.8 out of 5), praised for its training plans, flexibility, and in-depth analysis of training data.
  • Compatibility: Available on the App Store for iPhone, iPad, and iPod touch.
  • Cost: Free version available, premium version with additional features
  • Community: No social component
APP STORE Google Play

Champion’s Mind is an exceptional sports psychology app that offers over 130 mental training sessions to help athletes master the mental component of their sport. This app is designed to help you develop pro-level mental skills, with a focus on self-confidence, mental toughness, and resilience.

The app offers a variety of features, including guided mental training sessions, mindfulness exercises, and motivational content. As a coach, I believe that mental training is just as important as physical training, and this app provides valuable tools for athletes to develop their mental skills and improve their overall performance.

Champion’s Mind stands out as a comprehensive and user-friendly app that offers a wide range of mental training tools, making it a valuable resource for athletes of all levels. Whether you’re a casual fitness enthusiast or a dedicated athlete, Champion’s Mind has something to offer you.

How to Choose the Right Swimming App for You

Choosing the right swimming app depends on several factors. Your swimming level, goals, and preferred features all play a role. For beginners, apps with instructional videos and basic workout plans can be beneficial. For competitive swimmers, apps with advanced analytics and personalized training plans might be more suitable.

When I was training for a triathlon, I needed an app that could help me improve my endurance and technique. I chose Swim Coach because it offered personalized workouts based on my desired swimming distance and number of workouts. It was a game-changer for my training!

FAQ

There are several workout apps for swimmers, but one standout is Swim Coach, which offers personalized workouts and instructional videos.

MySwimPro is a highly-rated app that is compatible with Wear OS.

Many swimming apps, like TrainingPeaks and Swim.com, offer features for tracking progress, including workout logs and performance analytics.

Conclusion

Swimming apps have truly revolutionized the way we approach our training, offering a wealth of features to help us track our progress, refine our technique, and stay motivated. Whether you’re a casual swimmer looking to improve your fitness or a competitive athlete aiming to shave off those crucial seconds, there’s an app out there for you.

If I had to pick a standout, it would be Swim Coach. With its personalized and fun workouts, instructional videos, workout log features, and price! It’s an excellent tool for swimmers preparing for triathlons, swimming competitions, or simply staying in shape. As a coach, I find it particularly helpful in tracking my athletes’ progress and providing them with valuable feedback.

In conclusion, the best swimming app for you will depend on your individual needs and goals. I encourage you to try out some of these apps and see which one works best for you. As always, happy swimming!

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