The Garmin Forerunner 55 is a popular GPS smartwatch designed for runners and athletes. While it’s well-known for its running features, many users wonder if it can track swimming activities. In this article, we’ll delve into the details of the Garmin Forerunner 55’s swimming capabilities, its limitations, and what you can expect from this device.
Garmin Forerunner 55: An Overview
Before we dive into the swimming features, let’s take a brief look at the Garmin Forerunner 55’s overall capabilities. This GPS smartwatch is designed for runners, offering advanced features such as:
- GPS tracking with GLONASS and Galileo satellite systems
- Heart rate monitoring
- Customizable data screens
- Music storage and playback
- Notification alerts
- Water resistance up to 50 meters
The Forerunner 55 is a versatile device that can track various activities, including running, cycling, and strength training. However, its swimming capabilities are limited compared to other Garmin devices specifically designed for swimmers.
Swimming Features on the Garmin Forerunner 55
The Garmin Forerunner 55 can track swimming activities, but with some limitations. Here are the key swimming features:
- Pool swimming: The Forerunner 55 can track pool swimming, including laps, distance, pace, and stroke type. However, it’s essential to note that the device uses GPS signals to track your location, which can be affected by the pool’s surroundings and satellite signal strength.
- Open water swimming: The Forerunner 55 can also track open water swimming, but with reduced accuracy. The device uses GPS signals to track your location, which can be affected by satellite signal strength, water conditions, and surrounding terrain.
- Stroke tracking: The Forerunner 55 can detect and track various stroke types, including freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, and butterfly.
- Drill logging: The device allows you to log drills and other swimming exercises, making it easier to track your progress and stay motivated.
Limitations of the Garmin Forerunner 55’s Swimming Features
While the Garmin Forerunner 55 can track swimming activities, there are some limitations to consider:
- Limited water resistance: The Forerunner 55 is water-resistant up to 50 meters, which is suitable for pool swimming and shallow open water swimming. However, it’s not designed for deep-water swimming or high-pressure activities.
- Reduced GPS accuracy: The device’s GPS accuracy can be affected by the pool’s surroundings, satellite signal strength, and water conditions. This may result in inaccurate distance and pace tracking.
- No advanced swimming metrics: The Forerunner 55 doesn’t offer advanced swimming metrics, such as stroke rate, stroke length, or swimming efficiency. These metrics are typically available on Garmin devices specifically designed for swimmers.
Comparison with Other Garmin Devices
If you’re looking for a Garmin device with advanced swimming features, you may want to consider the following options:
- Garmin Forerunner 945: This high-end GPS smartwatch offers advanced swimming features, including stroke tracking, drill logging, and swimming efficiency metrics.
- Garmin Swim 2: This device is specifically designed for swimmers, offering advanced features such as stroke tracking, lap counting, and swimming efficiency metrics.
- Garmin Vivoactive 4: This GPS smartwatch offers a range of swimming features, including stroke tracking, lap counting, and swimming efficiency metrics.
Key Differences Between the Garmin Forerunner 55 and Other Garmin Devices
Here are the key differences between the Garmin Forerunner 55 and other Garmin devices:
| Device | Advanced Swimming Metrics | Water Resistance | GPS Accuracy |
| — | — | — | — |
| Garmin Forerunner 55 | No | Up to 50 meters | Reduced accuracy in water |
| Garmin Forerunner 945 | Yes | Up to 50 meters | High accuracy in water |
| Garmin Swim 2 | Yes | Up to 50 meters | High accuracy in water |
| Garmin Vivoactive 4 | Yes | Up to 50 meters | High accuracy in water |
Conclusion
The Garmin Forerunner 55 can track swimming activities, but with some limitations. While it’s not designed specifically for swimmers, it’s a versatile device that can track various activities, including running, cycling, and strength training. If you’re looking for a Garmin device with advanced swimming features, you may want to consider the Garmin Forerunner 945, Garmin Swim 2, or Garmin Vivoactive 4.
Final Thoughts
The Garmin Forerunner 55 is a great device for runners and athletes who want a versatile GPS smartwatch. While it’s not perfect for swimmers, it’s a good option for those who want to track their swimming activities occasionally. If you’re a serious swimmer, you may want to consider a device specifically designed for swimmers, such as the Garmin Swim 2 or Garmin Forerunner 945.
By understanding the limitations and capabilities of the Garmin Forerunner 55, you can make an informed decision about whether this device is right for you.
Does the Garmin Forerunner 55 track swimming?
The Garmin Forerunner 55 is a GPS-enabled smartwatch designed for athletes and fitness enthusiasts. While it is primarily marketed as a running watch, it does offer some swimming features. The watch can track swimming activities, including distance, pace, and stroke count. However, it’s essential to note that the Forerunner 55 is not designed specifically for swimming and may not provide the same level of detail as a dedicated swim watch.
When tracking swimming, the Forerunner 55 uses its built-in accelerometer to detect movement and estimate distance and pace. It can also recognize different swimming strokes, such as freestyle, backstroke, and breaststroke. However, the watch may not always accurately detect stroke type or count, especially if your swimming technique is not consistent. Additionally, the Forerunner 55 does not offer advanced swimming features like lap tracking or drill logging.
How accurate is the Garmin Forerunner 55’s swimming tracking?
The accuracy of the Garmin Forerunner 55’s swimming tracking depends on various factors, including your swimming technique, pool size, and watch settings. In general, the watch can provide a reasonable estimate of distance and pace, but it may not always be accurate. The Forerunner 55 uses its accelerometer to detect movement, which can be affected by factors like arm swing, kick, and body position.
To improve the accuracy of swimming tracking, it’s essential to calibrate the watch by entering the pool size and your swimming style. You can also adjust the watch’s sensitivity settings to better detect your movements. Additionally, wearing the watch on the correct wrist (typically the left wrist) and ensuring a snug fit can help improve accuracy. However, even with these adjustments, the Forerunner 55’s swimming tracking may not be as accurate as a dedicated swim watch.
Can I use the Garmin Forerunner 55 for open-water swimming?
The Garmin Forerunner 55 can be used for open-water swimming, but it’s essential to note that its GPS capabilities may be affected by water conditions and satellite signal strength. In open water, the watch may not always be able to maintain a strong GPS signal, which can impact distance and pace accuracy.
However, the Forerunner 55 does offer a feature called “Open Water” mode, which allows you to track your swimming activities in lakes, rivers, or oceans. In this mode, the watch uses a combination of GPS and accelerometer data to estimate distance and pace. While the accuracy may not be as high as in pool swimming, the Forerunner 55 can still provide a reasonable estimate of your open-water swimming activities.
How do I track swimming workouts with the Garmin Forerunner 55?
To track swimming workouts with the Garmin Forerunner 55, you need to select the “Swim” activity on the watch and choose the pool size or open-water mode. Once you start the activity, the watch will begin tracking your swimming data, including distance, pace, and stroke count. You can view your data in real-time on the watch or sync it with the Garmin Connect app for more detailed analysis.
The Garmin Connect app allows you to view your swimming data, including distance, pace, and stroke count, as well as other metrics like calories burned and heart rate. You can also use the app to set swimming goals, track your progress, and compete with friends. Additionally, the app offers training plans and workouts to help you improve your swimming performance.
Is the Garmin Forerunner 55 water-resistant?
The Garmin Forerunner 55 is water-resistant up to 50 meters (5 ATM), making it suitable for swimming, surfing, and other water activities. The watch can withstand exposure to water, but it’s essential to note that it’s not designed for diving or high-pressure water activities.
While the Forerunner 55 is water-resistant, it’s still important to rinse it with fresh water after swimming in saltwater or chlorinated pools. This will help prevent corrosion and maintain the watch’s water resistance. Additionally, avoid exposing the watch to extreme temperatures, as this can affect its water resistance and overall performance.
Can I customize the Garmin Forerunner 55’s swimming data screens?
The Garmin Forerunner 55 allows you to customize the data screens for swimming activities. You can choose from various data fields, including distance, pace, stroke count, and heart rate, and arrange them to suit your preferences. This feature is useful if you want to focus on specific metrics during your swimming workouts.
To customize the data screens, go to the Garmin Connect app and select the “Swim” activity. From there, you can choose the data fields you want to display and arrange them in the order you prefer. You can also create custom data screens for different swimming activities, such as pool swimming or open-water swimming.
Does the Garmin Forerunner 55 support swimming heart rate monitoring?
The Garmin Forerunner 55 does not support swimming heart rate monitoring. While the watch can track heart rate during running, cycling, and other activities, it does not have the capability to track heart rate during swimming.
This is because the Forerunner 55 uses optical heart rate monitoring, which is not suitable for underwater activities. Optical heart rate monitoring relies on light to detect changes in blood flow, which is not possible underwater. If you need to track heart rate during swimming, you may want to consider a dedicated swim watch or a heart rate monitor specifically designed for swimming.