Swim Planner Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: I just installed the app, what should I do now?

A1: Click the Settings button to enter a time trial time (see Q2 below for more) and your desired workout distance and pool type. Then go back to the main page and click New to create a workout.

Q2: What is a time trial? Why is it important to have this time?

A2:  A time trial is an all-out test or race effort. If you do not have a race time (from an accurrately measured pool swim), first do a decent warmup. Then pick a distance (e.g., 500m, 1000yd) to swim at 100% effort keeping track of your total time. The Swim Planner app uses this time to provide interval send-offs appropriate for you.

As you get faster (or slower if sick or out of shape), you may want to repeat the time trial and enter your most current time.

A future update is planned to support standard race distances used for swim meets (e.g., 400, 800).

Q3: How do I interpret the set descriptions?

A3: A set will typically be in the format like the following example:

5 x [100 build / 100 easy ] @ 2:00

This is swimming shorthand:

5 x = The number of times to repeat the interval

[ 100 build / 100 easy ] = The interval to swim, where the 100s are distances to swim (4 lengths in a 25m/25yd pool or 2 lengths in a 50m/50yd pool)

@ 2:00 = The send-off, i.e., start the next interval 2 minutes after starting the previous.

Sometimes the send-off will be written as"@ 0:10 rest", meaning wait ten seconds between the end of one interval until the start of the next.

Refer to some of the other questions below for more descriptions about specific terms used.

Q4: What does "drill" mean?

A4: A drill is a way to help focus on and improve a portion of your stroke. We teach a number of drills in our Swim Faster clinics and during our private swim lessons. A number of swim drills can be found from a simple search using the terms "swimming drills".

Q5: What do some of the other terms mean (e.g., "build", "easy", "mod")?

A5: The following explains these terms:

build = increase effort/speed over the interval

cruise = a relaxed pace or tempo

descend = swim each interval faster and/or harder effort

easy = swim at easy effort

free = swim freestyle, i.e., crawl

hard = swim at hard effort

kick = do not use your arms, just kick (with or without a kickboard)

mod or moderate = swim at moderate effort

negative split = swim second half of interval faster than first half

non-free = swima stroke other than freestyle (e.g., fly, backstroke, breaststroke)

pull = use a pull bouy

Note that effort is a personal trait and can be based on heart rate, perceived effort, or other measures.

Q6: What is the Clipboard?

A6: The Clipboard is a built-in memory area where selected content is copied and available for pasting into other applications. When you click the Swim Planner's "Copy Workout to Clipboard" button, the current workout is put on the Clipboard. When in another application like Mail, you can use the Paste feature to put a copy of the workout into the current text field.

More information on using this feature with the iPhone OS can be found at http://www.apple.com/iphone/iphone-3gs/cut-copy-paste.html.