How Do I Follow Swim Workouts On My Device?

Step One: Set your default pool length in TrainingPeaks.

1. 1. Log into TrainingPeaks on your PC.
   2. Click on your name in the top right and select 'Settings'.
   3. From the left-side menu, choose 'Equipment'.
   4. Enter or select your pool length (in yards or metres) and set it as default.
   5. Click ‘Save and Close’.

Step Two: Sync your watch with TrainingPeaks

Connect your training device to TrainingPeaks. The default pool length you select will be applied to all your swim workouts, which you can track on your watch.

Step Three: Follow your Structured Swim Workout

When to Press the Lap Button During a Swim Workout on Garmin

When following a structured swim workout on a Garmin watch, you must manually advance through intervals using the lap button (usually the lower right button on most models).

When to Press the Lap Button

✅ At the end of each interval → When you finish a rep (e.g., 100m swim), press lap to move to the next step.
✅ To skip a step → If you want to skip a rep or rest, pressing lap will move you to the next step.

When NOT to Press the Lap Button

❌ During an interval → Garmin will keep tracking distance & time, so pressing lap too early will cut the interval short.
❌ To pause the workout → Use the stop button instead if you need to take an extra break.

Tip: Your watch will beep/vibrate to signal the next interval, but you must still press lap to advance.

Example

(150 FS (Z2) + 50 FS (Z4) + 20s Rest)

1. Start your watch (or press the lap button to begin tracking) at the start of the 150 FS in Z2.
2. Press Lap as soon as you finish the 150 FS in Z2.
3. Immediately begin the 50 FS in Z4.
4. Press Lap when you finish the 50 FS in Z4.
5. Take your 20s rest. If you want to see your rest time as a separate lap, press Lap at the start of rest and press Lap again at the end of the 20 seconds.

Recording Drills

1. 1. When executing single-arm drills with your non-watch arm or during kick sets, your device won’t track your swimming since it depends on the movement of your watch arm.  
   2. Keep track of your laps for these drills and press the lap button once your set is completed.  
   3. Distances for kick sets or single-arm work with your non-watch arm will not be recorded. However, you can adjust your workout distance in TrainingPeaks after your swim to reflect these.  

Ending Your Workout

1. 1. After finishing, your watch will enter a free swim cool-down mode, similar to after a running workout.  
   2. If you accidentally hit the lap button at the wrong moment and miss a set, you can still account for those lengths during this period.  
   3. To conclude your workout, press the lap button twice.

FAQ and Troubleshooting

1. Occasionally need to swim in a different size pool? Change the pool length under 'equipment' in your scheduled swim workout, then click Save and Close. Sync your watch to transfer the changes. 
2. Completed swim distance different from that planned? Check your pool length in TrainingPeaks (see the above instructions). For yard pools, planned workouts show a longer distance in yards (1 meter = 1.094 yards), which may not match the description total. Learn more here
3. Duration in TrainingPeaks different from my watch? Only ‘moving time’ syncs with TrainingPeaks, excluding rest periods.
4. Why is my pool length incorrect? Check your default pool length, and remember to click 'Save and Close.' Also, sync your watch before swimming and check the pool length setting on your watch.
5. Can I do swim workouts in open water or infinity pools? No, those activities aren't supported. Follow structured swim workouts only using the Pool Swim activity in common devices (like Garmin) with a pool length in your TrainingPeaks settings.

Additional Information

Learn more about following your swim sets.

Check this article from TrainingPeaks.

You can print your swim workouts and take them in a plastic-sleeve poolside (a small whiteboard also works).