Swim Question: Tempo Trainer
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2012-05-23 8:36 AM |
Member 5452 NC | Subject: Swim Question: Tempo Trainer I recently used on of these things during a lesson. The objective was to increase turnover and intensity during short intervals. I tend to swim a bit too relaxed. I swam about four 25s, decreasing the tempo trainer by :05 each length. It was interesting because I was increasing intensity based on the beeps, rather than just trying to make a faster time based on the pace clock. It definitely pushed me. So, is there a conventional wisdom on the effectiveness of a tempo trainer? Just a gimmick? I did like that it forced a consistent turnover over the distance, rather than just trying to speed up to make a shorter interval.
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2012-05-23 8:39 AM in reply to: #4224678 |
Not a Coach 11473 Media, PA | Subject: RE: Swim Question: Tempo Trainer Goosedog - 2012-05-23 9:36 AM It definitely pushed me. Regardless of any conventional wisdom, isn't your answer right there? |
2012-05-23 8:44 AM in reply to: #4224692 |
Member 5452 NC | Subject: RE: Swim Question: Tempo Trainer JohnnyKay - 2012-05-23 9:39 AM Goosedog - 2012-05-23 9:36 AM It definitely pushed me. Regardless of any conventional wisdom, isn't your answer right there? Yes, completely understand. I guess I'm asking if the best method is to just shorten the intervals with a pace clock, or use the tempo trainer? Is the tempo trainer a crutch, when the pace clock is just as effective? During my lesson, we didn't have a pace clock. Really, I think I'm trying to get a real swimmer to call me an idiot triathlete who worries more about toys than training.
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2012-05-23 8:51 AM in reply to: #4224678 |
Melon Presser 52116 | Subject: RE: Swim Question: Tempo Trainer Hi, you're an idiot triathlete who worries more about toys than training. Actually, considering you already have the gadget, Suzanne (AdventureBear) has written some great stuff about training with it. Lemme see if I can rustle up the links for you. |
2012-05-23 9:01 AM in reply to: #4224678 |
Melon Presser 52116 | Subject: RE: Swim Question: Tempo Trainer |
2012-05-23 9:01 AM in reply to: #4224719 |
Not a Coach 11473 Media, PA | Subject: RE: Swim Question: Tempo Trainer Goosedog - 2012-05-23 9:44 AM JohnnyKay - 2012-05-23 9:39 AM Goosedog - 2012-05-23 9:36 AM It definitely pushed me. Regardless of any conventional wisdom, isn't your answer right there? Yes, completely understand. I guess I'm asking if the best method is to just shorten the intervals with a pace clock, or use the tempo trainer? Is the tempo trainer a crutch, when the pace clock is just as effective? During my lesson, we didn't have a pace clock. Really, I think I'm trying to get a real swimmer to call me an idiot triathlete who worries more about toys than training.
Well, Yanti took care of the name-calling. (and, of course, promising to find you some actually useful information--more than I'll do!) It's just a 'tool'. If the pace clock is just as effective, then is seems superflous. But, if it helps you beyond the use of a pace clock, then use it. Doesn't matter if some see it as a 'crutch'. If it makes you swim faster & more efficiently, you'll be better off. The advantage likely to be touted in the TT over a pace clock is that you get constant feedback. With the pace clock, you only get feedback at the end of each interval. The TT may give you better insight into your stroke (am I going faster because I took more strokes or because I pulled harder/more efficiently). It may also give you a more constant push and get you to swim on faster intervals than the pace clock on its own. Again, most of this depends upon how the individual interacts with the tool. Some probably get more/less out of its use than others. For some, it could even be a negative distraction. Only way to find out for sure is to try different things. |
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2012-05-23 9:02 AM in reply to: #4224678 |
Coach 9167 Stairway to Seven | Subject: RE: Swim Question: Tempo Trainer Yeah, I've written a TON about using a tempo trainer. In fact, it's the ONLY toy that I use in the pool. The tempo trainer can do so much more than "push" you, but here's why it's better than a pace clock alone. Your speed (what we are all ultimately chasing). is the product of your tempo and your stroke length. (plus a pushoff). When you use only a pace clock in your trianing, you have one data point taht is the product of two others. If you want to get faster, you can "try harder" to "swim faster", and you'll be successful to a point, but I know for certain that everyone here has experienced trying to swim fast...and just getting more tired. With the tempo trainer as an addition, you can empirically measure what's changing. try a set where you swim 50s. start at an easy tempo of 1.2 for example, or something a little slower than your normal tempo. Swim 50s (or 25s) by decreasing just .02 seconds at a time and Count your strokes. Standardize your pushoff by keeping it to 3 beeps of the tempo trainer. Descend yoru set of 50s by .02 seconds/stroke and then take a look at the resultant stroke counts and times...see how much faster you get vs. how many strokes you add. At what point does the addition of a stroke stop resulting in an increase in time? What is your tempo trainer setting at that pace? Here is a point in your swimming that you've discovered is either technique or fitness limited or a combination of both. You know by testing and gathering measurable data exactly what combination of tempo and stroke count you stop gaining speed without giving up too much. Say for example you increase your speed an average of 1 second for each stroke you add. Then as the tempo increases you add 2 strokes to gain 1 second, then with the next incrase you add 3 strokes and you get 1 second faster. "Conventional" wisdom wouldn't be able to differentiate this point where tempo vs. stroke length starts degrading, but with the tempo trainer you can. The tempo trainer can do so much more as well. This past weekend Terry came to Pittsburgh and we held an "easy speed" clinic with 12 triathletes from PA, OH, NY and WV. We did 1 drill (Single finger swimming) during warmup and the rest of the session was a series of 3 tempo trainer sets. Every single person, but using the tempo trainer, took strokes off their 50s while getting faster...one triathlete went from his "easy effort" 200 of 2:12 to 1:40...by simply using the tempo trainer to find these sweet spots in his swimming where he can focus on improvement of both pacing and technique. his was the most dramatic example, but EVERYONE got faster by simply improving their efficiency at given tempos because they were suddenly made aware of waht their body was doing and what the result was. I could go on and on and on and I have in other posts. There are so many great ways to use the tempo trainer, not just using it to "push yourself", although that works too. |
2012-05-23 9:08 AM in reply to: #4224678 |
Member 5452 NC | Subject: RE: Swim Question: Tempo Trainer Excellent. Thanks to everyone for the responses.
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