4 Swimming Pool Apps to Keep You Afloat

Even though this blog is mainly about swimming, how to do it better, more effectively and efficiently. Some readers have their own pools where they practice they strokes from wall to wall or vertical kicks in the deep end. If you wall into this category, Adam from Country Leisure pools is here to give you a few tips on mobile apps which can make your life of the pool maintenance easier, so you can spend less time worrying about your pool and more time doing what you like, swimming :).

Enter Adam:

Swimming pools are a fun part of owning a home, enjoying the summer sun, but most importantly very convenient way to improve ones swimming potential. When you own a pool, it is useful to get a few smartphone or tablet apps to help improve the cleanliness, care and management of the pool, otherwise you are going to ever regret getting one as you'll spend more time and money cleaning it. Although the apps are a useful tool for pool owners to download, remember that you do not want to take the phone into the pool with you when you use the apps or it might just drown, unless you have a good waterproof case protection with you.

How’s My Water

How's My Water from iOS App Store

How’s My Water is an iPhone App that allows pool owners to accurately determine the health and balance of pool water. Since the water can become contaminated or require adjustments when it is filled, the app is a useful tool to make appropriate changes.

According to PoolCenter.com, the app uses the iPhone camera to take pictures of the test strips after placing it in the water. The strips are evaluated for color and accurate treatment advice is provided to pool owners for a custom treatment result.

The data is saved for future evaluation and comparison after the next water test. Although the app costs $5.99, it is a useful tool for any pool owner. It helps owners determine the safety of water and make appropriate changes to keep the water as fresh as possible.

Swim University

Swim University Mobile App

Swim University is among the top apps for pool owners because it provides a wide range of useful features. The app is available for free on iPhones and Android phones, so it provides many pool owners with the opportunity to find information that is related to pool care and maintenance.

According to PoolSupplyWorld.com, the app provides how-to videos, guides for buying pool-related supplies and blogs that help with specific needs. The app is organized to help with specific categories, such as a spa or a pool, and offers a wealth of information related to the care of a household pool.

Although the app provides several tools and useful elements, it does not have a high cost. In fact, Swim University is a free app that is available to every pool owner with a smartphone.

Pool Genius

Pool Genius from iOS App Store

Pool Genius is a useful app that was designed around new pool owners who might have several questions and concerns regarding the maintenance and management of a household pool. According to PoolSupplyWorld.com, the app can help pool owners weigh the pros and cons of different filtration systems and options for pool maintenance.

Beyond the basic tools and information, the app is made with simplicity in mind. Pool owners will not need to work around complicated systems to find information that is necessary to maintain or work on a pool. Furthermore, the user-friendly app is aesthetically pleasing for a better experience while using the application. Although it costs $0.99, the app is useful and can help new and experienced pool owners.

Pool Doctor

Pool Doctor from iOS App Store

Adjusting the chemicals in a pool is not always easy, especially for new pool owners. With Pool Doctor, it is easier to make appropriate adjustments and maintain the pool through changes that are suggested.

According to PoolCenter.com, the app will use three test results to determine the next step in adjusting the chemical levels. After the test results are entered, the app provides doctor’s orders for adjustments. By following the suggestions of the app, the pool will have proper chemical balances.

Since the app is useful for saltwater and chlorine pools, it is possible to find the right results with any type of pool. The app works on iPhones and Android phones, so it is useful to many pool owners. It will cost $1.99 and email tech support is provided to pool owners.

Owning a pool requires the right maintenance measures. Although it can seem complicated, pool apps are available to help owners make decisions, find information and make adjustments to chemical levels. It is possible to enjoy maintaining your pool, with a little help and information.

Note from Swimator Blog: There you have it, just a few simple apps to keep your pool in tip top shape. Don't let me stop you there though. With the mobile era exploding, I am sure that if none of the above app fit your needs, with a little bit of searching through the miscellaneous app stores, you will find the one. Remember, pool maintenance should be simple and easy, so you can enjoy the benefits of having your own pool and perhaps take advantage of private in house swim lesson offers such as this one.

This is a guest post by Adam Ray, an Oklahoma City based jazz musician, producer, and blogger. In the morning, you’ll find him near a French press and a content marketing blog. On the weekends, you’ll likely find him wielding his tenor saxophone on stage at a jazz club. Ray enjoys swimming pools and spas, and he works with Country Leisure, in Oklahoma City.

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Choosing the right Goggles for you

Are there differences between swimming goggles which I should consider? What swimming goggles should I use for my triathlon swim? I get asked these questions and many more over and over from the beginner swimmers I coach. And no wonder, with the plethora of different shapes, types, lens colors and brands of goggles out there, it is a very confusing world for a non-expert. Usually, what tends to happen is that the first pair of goggles that you come across are the ones in your local supermarket's aquatics aisle not realizing that this is probably the worst pair of goggles you can find :). When you get to the pool, you discover that they do not sit properly on your face, they constantly leak and they fog up after a lap. I did touch upon some tips for buying your first pair of swimming goggles already in one of my previous swimming goggle posts, but it does not hurt to hear an opinion from another expert. This time I asked the actual professional swimming equipment seller WT Sports about what one should consider when buying swimming goggles and here is what came out of our discussion.

Aqua Sphere Vista mask goggles

Enter WT Sports:
Picking the right goggles is a challenge many swimmers face. Despite it being such a vital piece of equipment to any swimmer, some don’t take the time to compare the wide variety of goggle types on offer, and subsequently just buy the first pair they see.

When it comes to choosing which goggles are right for you, there are a few things you should consider: shape, lens color and type, and of course, price. Additionally when assessing each of these elements it is necessary to think about what function the swimming goggles will be serving; e.g. competitive racing, training, pool swimming, outdoor swimming or snorkeling. Let’s take a quick look at each factor and make the decision process a little bit easier.

Shape

Probably the most obvious factor in choosing goggles, the shape is vital to ensuring that you like how they look, and of course making sure they comfortably fit your eye socket or face contours. Goggles come in all shapes and sizes, ranging from the small competition models to the full sized masks. The smaller pairs are usually designed with competitive racing in mind, and as such are designed to fit closer to your eyes and make you more hydrodynamic. However, this closer fit might cause some eye lash friction with the goggles for the individuals with longer eye lashes. Let's just say, it is a bit annoying to feel your every blink. On the other hand the mask-style goggles are built to serve a different purpose – for recreational use, or even snorkeling in the case of the over-sized models. In this way they’re a lot larger and provide the benefit of increasing visibility – particularly peripheral vision.

Those that don’t race often and just swim for recreation purposes may be more suited to the mask shaped goggles, as the smaller competition styles may become uncomfortable after prolonged use, and if too tight may create a case of panda eye! Also, the mask is easier to be fitted onto your face, so you are less likely run into trouble with water leakage.

Lens color and type

Depending on where you are going to be swimming, you’ll need to consider what type and color of lens you want on your goggles. Clear lenses offer maximum visibility in dim lit areas and are particularly good for indoor swimming. On the other hand mirrored effect models are great for outdoor use, especially for reflecting light away from your eyes when the sun is bright! There are also lens types that make it easier to see around you when swimming underwater – usually orange tinted to enhance brightness and visibility. Some goggles are equipped with anti-fog lens technology, helping keep vision clear while you swim. You can also buy anti-fog spray to maintain this and ensure your goggles are always protected from fog, however, the most common and cheapest solution is to use your own saliva to lick the insides of the goggles right before your swim.

Green Swedish Goggles

Price

The final aspect to consider when choosing the rights goggles for you is price. Like with all buying experiences, you want to get the best value for money, and it can sometimes be a little confusing knowing how much to spend without risking getting a substandard pair of goggles. How much you should spend really depends on how seriously you take your swimming, and whether you feel a more expensive pair of goggles will benefit your swimming experience enough to warrant paying for them. Prices can range from £10 (15USD) to around £30 (50USD) in most places, so even the better quality models won’t cost you a fortune. Having said that, the majority of cheaper goggles will prove to be satisfactory for the casual swimmer.

Note from Swimator Blog: As you already know, it is not easy to choose. Bottom line is, the look of the goggles and the price is not the determining factor you should be focusing on in your choice. More expensive and great looking goggles might not necessarily be better suited for your swim than cheap and simple type. I have tested many goggles in my life, starting from suction cup types, foam type padding, masks and even some very old school Eastern European rubber eye contraptions. And after all those experiences, I have yet to find a better pair of goggles than the cheapest and simplest Swedish goggles. Swim with Swedish goggles. Of course, I come from the competitive background, so I don't suggest you go and buy these Swedish shells, but it at least gives you an idea how everyone is different. Please feel free to share your goggle experiences or disasters in the comments.

This is a guest post by: WT Sports, an online retailer specializing in triathlon equipment, clothes and accessories, providing a high quality service with a range of products, all with free delivery.

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Palm Paddle - The world's smallest hand paddle

This post is long overdue, but finally I kicked myself to introduce you to the wonderful world of the Palm Paddle. I am not kidding when I say it is the world's smallest hand paddle. At first sight, the paddles are so tiny and cute that you just want to cuddle them in your palm :). Don't let the small size fool you into thinking that since they are so small, they have little to no purpose for swimming though. On the contrary, as someone famous once said "one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind", we could say "one small stroke with the Palm Paddle, one giant leap forward in your swim technique". :).

About 10cm small palm paddles

Many swimming technique articles that are out here in the darkest corners of the Internet focus on the early vertical forearm, the early catch or also called the high elbow technique for freestyle. And rightly so, without mastering this technique, it is tough to become competitive in your field of fellow swimmers or triathletes. However, what is often overlooked is what happens after the catch. Let's assume that you have a very good early catch, so you set yourself up for a great underwater stroke, however, after the initial catch your hand still slips through the water as if you are not pulling any water and you do not move forward as fast as you'd expect.

So what happened? You did have a nice starting catch or in other words, you grabbed a hold of water or yet in other words, you found support in water with your hand and forearm, however, this hold or support disappeared as your stroke progressed. Basically, you lost it somewhere along the underwater stroke. Chances are your hand was not moving in a straight line driving back and deviated quickly to one side causing it to cross under your body and lose your grip on water. Don't despair though, this is very common among swimmers and the Palm Paddle is here to help.

Attach to top tip of  your middle finger

The Palm Paddle is not designed to be put on as a regular paddle would where you'd slip it on your middle finger(s) all the way to the knuckles and then perhaps use another strap to attach it to your wrist. No no no, it only slips on your middle finger passed the first finger joint, so it only hangs on the tip of your finger. This delicate attachment makes sure that if your hand deviates from the straight underwater pull path, the paddle will slip from your hand. Thus causing you to be extra careful with your hand trajectory and teaching you to follow the path were you retain the initial grip on water which you got from the high elbow catch. Isn't it cool? A paddle which will teach you how to properly run your hand through your stroke. Simply amazing. And don't worry, they float, so you won't lose them if they fall off:).

Of course, this is not the only benefit of the Palm Paddle, but it is in my opinion the main one. After you master the underwater pull without loosing the paddles, then you can start discovering the other benefits which are of the "antipaddle" nature. Basically, it makes your hand feel desensitized for the period of time when you swim with the paddles and when you take them off you are better equipped to feel the water in the palm of your hand.

Along a similar idea, since you swim with them, the conical shape makes you actually pull less water, so if you are in a lane with slow swimmers, just put on the paddles and voila, you no longer need to pass the slow pokes since you swim with the same speed while working on your technique or increased stroke rate tempo. Also, if you are recovering from a shoulder injury or surgery, you can use these paddles to lessen the water pressure since your hand slips through the water easier.

Another benefit is the small size. I no longer carry a huge swimming mesh bag with me to practice, I just stick these world's smallest paddles in my pockets and go :). If you are in open water, they can be easily slipped into your swim suit or wet suit for safe keeping while you swim without them. Or if you have already discovered the benefit of using the Safer Swimmer safety device they don't take much space at all, therefore, leaving you a lot of free room for other necessary items you'd like to take with you for a swim.

So, go out there and improve your underwater pull, so you can enjoy the benefits of fast and easy swimming. On another note, if you are still on a hunt for a great swimming related Christmas present, the Palm Paddle or "trilobites" as my swimmers call them :), could be your lucky Christmas winner :).

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Learn to Swim Backwards Freestyle

There is no doubt in my mind that anyone can learn how to swim and anyone can swim with ease if the right approach to learning is taken. In order to convey a certain feeling or a message to the swimmers and to keep swim workouts interesting, every coach should once in a while think outside the box. Nothing is more boring than doing the same workout routines over and over with only slight variations. So let's spice up your today's swim workout with backwards swimming. I use this technique with my swimmers quite frequently and it always is fun for them to do and definitely fun to watch. In addition to being only fun, it also serves a specific purpose.

First, let's focus on how to swim freestyle backwards (just to clarify, I am talking about swimming on your stomach feet first). The most important advice I can give you here is to attempt to mimick all the aspects of a good freestyle stroke into the backwards swimming. Streamline your body means to keep your legs pointed straight forward and keep your toes together. The pitfall to watch out for here is not to be tempted to kick with the feet. Just trust the water and balance yourself in a very similar way as you would when you do your side kicking exercises. The next thing is to roll your hips as you are suppose to during regular freestyle swimming. Backwards swimming is no exception, you will rotate your body from side to side. So stay away from flat stomach swimming. Another important tip is to keep your head low as if you are pressing your entire chest and head into the water. This will make sure to keep your legs at the surface while you move backwards. Another way to think about it is to try to utilize your lower back and buttocks to keep your legs afloat. This next tip is important. Your arms should not be rotated outwards, instead swim with the top of your hands and forearms. I wasn't kidding when I said it is total backwards freestyle, so even the underwater motion of your arms is just the opposite to what you'd do when swimming regular freestyle. So keep those palms always facing back and use the top of the hands and forearms to propel yourself forward. Maintain nice and long body line by making sure you extend your arms as far forward as possible during your body role. By extending forward with your arms you are adding more weight to the front of your body thus allowing your legs to stay closer to the surface. The last and the most complicated skill to master is the breathing. You need to get good mental understanding about what supports you in the water and how you balance yourself on a side without spreading your legs apart. Without gaining practice in the support and balance skills, you will have a tough time to breathe. Breathing is perfomed in a similar fashion as in freestyle by rotating your head to the side while your top arm is moving backwards to the entry position by the hip. Restrain from breathing backwards, instead press deeper into the water with your front arm and chest and make sure to be roled to the side.

You might think this is a totally useless exercise. However, let's think a bit more about what happens to your body and what you are practicing by swimming backwards. You are forced to rediscover your balance in water, your trust in the water support, your head position during breathing, also your early vertical forearm placement and probably many other things. Finally, you are giving your shoulders a counter force which should make them stronger and healthier in the long run as you exercise both directions (if you don't over do it).

The sets I like to do with backwards freestyle are very short not to stress the shoulders too much. For example 4x25 with 30 seconds rest or 4x50 (25 backwards swim and 25 all out freestyle swim) with 1 minute rest. You will be amazed on how awesome it feels to sprint right after you swam backwards. It's almost as if you had some antipaddles on and then took them off. You should feel very powerful. You can combine the sets with counting how many strokes you take per 25 and then try to minimize that count by improving your backward pull, your breathing and your body position. Or if you are really good at it, why not put on a pair of techpaddles with their wrist straps and do a few laps backwards.

Even though, I only talk about backward freestyle swimming in this post, similar principle can be applied to all the other strokes, however, this is a bit more challenging to master and the benefit is not as high as in the backward freestyle swim. I'd suggest getting accustomed to freestyle backward swimming before going the route to explore other backwards strokes. So go out there, be patient with it and get out of your swimming routines and swim outside the box today. The Rome was not build in a day and the world was not created in 7 days (even though some crazies still believe this in 21st century :)), so getting to understand your body in the water while swimming backwards freestyle takes some time as well. Enjoy.

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