Connecting the goggles allows you to view HR on the heads-up display on each set of goggles, along with other training data like time elapsed, splits, and so on. ✅ PROS

For Example, the potential maximum heart rate for a 20-year-old is 200, while for a 55-year-old it is 165, and for aerobic endurance training, the target heart rate (70% of maximum) for a 20-year-old is 140, while for a 55-year-old it is 116. If you’re talking about their chest strap models, then the answer is yes but. You can wear them swimming, however both brands have straps specifically designed to be waterproof. If you’re referring to their smartwatches, then yes; all Garmin and Polar smartwatches are waterproof. What should your heart rate be when swimming? However, it’s laser-focused on the effects of workouts on your body, how much you recover, and the quality of your rest – and how ready you are to do it all over again tomorrow.

Wahoo TICKR Heart Rate Monitor

Your workouts can be uploaded wirelessly via Bluetooth once in range of your computer and the software is compatible with both MAC and Windows. If you're an exerciser who cares about accuracy, the Polar H10 chest strap is the one we've found to be one of the most reliable during testing.

The Garmin Swim topped our list of best swim watches, so it is no surprise that the Garmin HRM-Swim slides into the DMs when it comes to the best waterproof heart rate monitors.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 5

All-in-one device that measures heart rate, average pace, distance, stroke count per lap, and calories burned

First and foremost, you need to know what kind of swimming you're intending on doing. Looking for a watch to take with you when snorkeling or deep-sea diving? You'll need one which is water-resistant enough at your desired depths, and one which can show you relevant depth data. Essentially, you need a wrist-mounted dive computer, and the Garmin Descent Mk2i and the Apple Watch Ultra are both useful here. The strap on the wrist wearable consists of a round ECG and PPG sensor, which resembles a watch minus the numbers. The sensor has a button that controls the on and off switch, which lights up. The wrist strap has velcro so you can fasten it to your liking, while the chest strap is easy to secure with some buttons.Monitoring a swimmer’s heart rate while swimming can help to ensure they are training at the optimum intensity. The biggest improvement that the H10 features compared to its predecessor, the Polar H7, is battery life, with the H10 coming in at a hefty 400 hours compared to 150 hours for the H7. Whilst swimming your muscles demand oxygen, the harder you swim the more oxygen your muscles require, making your heart beat at a faster rate.

Training at a level where the swimmer can continue training with the available oxygen. Only low levels of lactic acid will be produced with which the body can cope or dispose of. The Competitive Swimming Exchange is a Facebook group to help exchange ideas and information to collectively improve the sport we love. One of the favorite features here is calculating resting heart rate and VO2 max, which is perfect for serious athletes. We've been seriously impressed - and it's something Google did emphasize during the announcement of the watch, noting that AI algorithms and machine learning would give it a bump in accuracy. The Scosche Rhythm24 is an excellent choice for swimmers, triathletes, and anyone else who uses heart rate zone data as part of their training. It provided accurate results in testing, but its optical sensor means the data won't be quite as accurate as that from a chest strap with electrical pulse technology.

What Are the Best Smartwatches for Swimmers?

Along came the wearable companies, from the waterproof Fitbits to the Garmin Swim watch, with wrist-strapped devices that purported to be able to tell you your heart rate at any given time while wearing it. While all of them will measure heart rate on land, not all of them will be able to measure heart rate in the water.