Apple Watch Series 3 for Swimming: A Complete Guide
Key Features of Apple Watch Series 3 for Swimming
One of the standout features of the Apple Watch Series 3 is its water resistance rating. The Series 3 is rated as water-resistant up to 50 meters, making it suitable for swimming in both pools and open waters. This rating, however, means it is not suitable for high-velocity water sports like scuba diving or water skiing, but for swimming laps, it's more than adequate.
Water Lock Mode
When you start a swimming workout, the watch automatically activates Water Lock Mode, which prevents the touchscreen from being triggered by water. After completing your swim, you can manually deactivate Water Lock Mode by rotating the Digital Crown. This action also triggers the watch to expel any water trapped in the speaker, ensuring continued functionality.
Swim Tracking and Metrics
The Workout app on the Apple Watch Series 3 is where all the swim tracking magic happens. You can choose between two types of swimming workouts: Pool Swim and Open Water Swim. When you select Pool Swim, you can input the pool length, and the watch will track your laps, distance, and even detect the stroke type. In contrast, Open Water Swim tracks your route via GPS, providing more detailed metrics such as distance covered in open waters like oceans or lakes.
The watch also records your calories burned, heart rate, and even provides you with a SWOLF score. SWOLF, short for "Swim Golf," is a metric that combines your stroke count with the time it takes to complete a lap. Lower SWOLF scores indicate better swimming efficiency, making it an essential feature for those seeking to improve their swim performance.
How to Set Up the Apple Watch Series 3 for Swimming
Setting up the Apple Watch Series 3 for swimming is a straightforward process. Follow these steps:
- Select the Swimming Workout: Open the Workout app and scroll until you find the "Pool Swim" or "Open Water Swim" option. Choose the one that fits your activity.
- Input Pool Length: If you are swimming in a pool, input the pool's length. This helps the watch track the number of laps accurately.
- Start the Workout: Once you've selected the workout and set the pool length (if applicable), press "Start" and begin swimming.
- Monitor Your Metrics: While swimming, you can glance at the watch to monitor your progress, though touch interactions are limited due to Water Lock Mode.
- End the Workout: After your swim, swipe right and press the "End" button to finish the workout. The watch will then display a summary of your swim, including distance, stroke type, and calories burned.
Advantages of Using Apple Watch Series 3 for Swimming
Affordability: One of the key advantages of the Apple Watch Series 3 is its affordable price compared to newer models. Despite being an older model, it still packs most of the essential features that swimmers need.
Accurate Metrics: The accuracy of the metrics provided by the Apple Watch Series 3 is impressive. The ability to track your strokes, laps, and distance with such precision is a significant benefit for swimmers.
Integration with Fitness Ecosystem: The Apple Watch Series 3 integrates seamlessly with the Apple ecosystem, allowing you to track and analyze your swim data through the Fitness app on your iPhone. This integration is beneficial for long-term progress tracking and for syncing with other Apple Health metrics.
Durability: With its 50-meter water resistance, the Apple Watch Series 3 is built to withstand prolonged exposure to water. Its robust construction ensures that it can handle multiple swim sessions without any risk of damage.
Limitations of Apple Watch Series 3 for Swimming
While the Apple Watch Series 3 is excellent for swimming, it does have some limitations:
No Built-In ECG: Unlike newer models, the Series 3 lacks an ECG sensor, meaning it doesn’t provide in-depth heart health monitoring beyond basic heart rate tracking.
Limited Features for Advanced Athletes: For elite swimmers or triathletes, the Apple Watch Series 3 may lack some of the advanced features found in more specialized swim watches like the Garmin series. For example, it doesn’t offer as detailed stroke analysis or recovery time recommendations.
Battery Life: The battery life of the Apple Watch Series 3 is around 18 hours, which may be limiting for those who want to track multiple workouts or use the watch for extended periods without charging.
How to Maximize Battery Life During Swimming Workouts
If you plan on using your Apple Watch Series 3 for extended swimming sessions, here are some tips to maximize battery life:
Turn Off Unnecessary Features: Before your swim, turn off features like Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and cellular connectivity if you don’t need them.
Use Low Power Mode: Enable Low Power Mode during your swim to extend battery life. This will reduce some of the features but still track your swimming metrics accurately.
Charge Beforehand: Always ensure your watch is fully charged before heading into the pool, especially if you plan on using the GPS features during an open water swim.
Comparison with Other Swim Watches
Let’s take a look at how the Apple Watch Series 3 compares to other popular swim watches, such as the Garmin Forerunner 945 and the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2.
| Feature | Apple Watch Series 3 | Garmin Forerunner 945 | Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water Resistance | 50 meters | 50 meters | 50 meters |
| Stroke Type Detection | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| GPS for Open Water Swims | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| SWOLF Score | Yes | Yes | No |
| Battery Life | 18 hours | Up to 36 hours | Up to 24 hours |
| Price | Affordable | Expensive | Moderately Priced |
As the table indicates, while the Apple Watch Series 3 holds its own against competitors, it does fall short in terms of battery life and certain advanced metrics. However, its affordability makes it an attractive option for casual swimmers or those just starting with swimming workouts.
Conclusion
The Apple Watch Series 3 is a solid, affordable option for swimmers looking to track their progress in the pool or open water. With its reliable water resistance, swim-tracking capabilities, and integration into the Apple ecosystem, it remains a popular choice despite being an older model. While it may lack some of the advanced features seen in more expensive swim watches, the Apple Watch Series 3 provides everything that most casual swimmers need at a fraction of the cost.
For those who swim regularly but don't require high-end features, the Apple Watch Series 3 is an excellent option. Durable, accurate, and affordable, it continues to be a top choice for swim tracking in 2024.
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