I’m holding out for Apple Vision.
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A few months in, I’ve found these really useful.
The new feature of Headcoach is a very interesting development.
I’m starting 4 weeks of the Improve your pace - High Volume plan, to
Go into the 8 week Step Up your pace - High Volume plan.
They look like they’re on a very TrainerRoad-like path.
Has anyone reviewed the plans?
I’m using the Ironman plan now. it’s pretty good and I’ve been playing with the Head Coach thing a bit. Very interesting, if for nothing else getting me to focus on small, bad habits during my breathing.
I admit to adapting the workouts some and I wish they had a bit more flexibility in the scheduling, maybe allowing for a substitute workout, etc, since the program doesn’t know or factor in other activities. I hope they go the way of TrainerRoad and actively loop in their users on a high level.
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I’ve just requested similar, I need my second workout of the week to be a shorter version of the same workout.
I might try skipping some warm ups and cool-down intervals next time to stay in plan.
They’ve done some good podcasts with Brian Johns on Effortless Swimming.
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There may be an option on the app to substitute a shorter workout on the day…I need to look at that closer next time I’m at the pool.
You can add the shorter version of the workout on to the goggles (1 of up to 5 that saves on the goggles). But I’m pretty sure that my not doing the session as prescribed it will go down as a missed session in the plan… If you are bothered by that at all?
You’ll need to add the workout to the goggles via the app and sync prior to the session.
Sorry if that sounds pretty basic and obvious. Hopefully it helps others who might be new to Form
Yeah, support confirmed you can’t alter the planned workout size. Have to add it separately as you’ve directed.
First week done - three swims and 7111m. Feels a lot harder than the distance suggests.
Interesting to see folks thoughts on this. My swimmers would not be happy that i am teaching them how to use the clock, and then i would show up this piece of tech 
.
A lot of people are resistant to tech, and no tech is mandatory.
My solo training is transformed. No doubt about it. Just like following a TR plan or workout. As good as most master sessions I’ve done, but not as good as the best ones.
Club sessions are enhanced from the live feedback.
I’ve only used the Headcoach feature twice, and it’s pretty good but I’m focussed on the workouts themselves at the moment.
Also, much fewer errors than a Garmin watch.
Doesn’t enhance anything for breast, back or fly yet though.
There’s good technique support through the app, and a fair few episodes of Effortless Swimming with Brian Johns explains things.
Like TR, you need to set aside your swim days and be consistent. I dabbled with them from July, only recently started a three per week, (their largest volume) 4 week swim plan and it’s been hard but satisfying work so far. On such a short time span I don’t think the needle will move much, so success will be more on enjoyment I think.
Workout are proper workouts; warm up, pre main, main, warm down. Plenty of variety most of the time with drills and toys.
They encourage you to do some analysis of numbers and guide you on what to look at, and what drills to correct things you find.
There is some maturity to go through like TR went through, adjusting workouts, adjusting plans, I’ve only found one workout I thought had something wrong. There’s no feedback like TR have, but the email support is pretty good. Oh, and they don’t sync into Garmin (or TR) so Garmin centred users have to dual record. Strava centred users are covered though.
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I just started using form swim goggles. So far I like them. The instant feedback is helpful. I have only done a few of the head coach workouts. I apparently already had decent head position.
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Hi Joe,
I just have a few questions about this which might help others?
How did you find the actual plan? Did you stick to the workouts? Did you have to alter them in any way to get them done in I’d guess a public pool? (Eg. Other swimmers in the lanes etc?
Did you use the coaching metrics relating to head position in these sessions? And if so, how did you find it?
Clearly it’s a couple of weeks of swim work, but did you notice any particular changes within that time due to either coaching points or session structure?
Did you find having a plan helped with consistency to actual get to the pool and be more effective with your time in the water?
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I followed the plan as much as I could; if I ran out of time, I ran out of time - but I didn’t change the structure
I’ve found locations I don’t get pool rage and generally swim without interferance. But if I had a hard fifty and some breaststroker floundering I’d back off unless it was easy to pass. Similarly there are some ace swimmers out there? And I wasn’t afraid to let them pass int the middle of my interval.
I’m finding the head angle feedback good, I’m much improved. The time to neutral training has me drinking too much water so I’m not focussing on that.
I feel better for it, similar to three club sessions a week.
Having a plan means no figuring out what to do, turn up and go. Much more done and yes a plan motivates.
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Sounds pretty similar to my experience to be fair.
I rate them
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I did Step Up Your Pace High Volume, a bronze compliance. Didn’t really enjoy this plan as much; not as much variety in stroke or toys involved. I cut a lot of sessions short when I felt bored or ran out of time.
It did get me down from 1:40 to 1:30 all out 100m LCM though, which is my ‘in form’ pace.
I’m eyeing up the Half Iron Mid Volume plan, as I think I work pretty hard in my swims now. A few years back I thought I was working hard, but masters sessions and a bit of coaching has shown me how to really push.
High Volume have 3000m sessions over an hour in the pool which I like but are inconvenient and impacting my High Volume Sustained Power Build. Mid Volume averages 2100m so definitely under an hour.
Consistency is king so while the plans are 3 swims a week I’ve been consistently doing 2 due irregular office and weekend patterns, which I hope to ratify.
Form put a teaser video up on instagram - FORM Smart Swim Goggles on Instagram: "Brace yourself for a breakthrough in training and competition, a new heading is about to surface. 02-APR-24"
It looks like v2 of the goggles. Looking forward to hearing more on 4/2.
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I have a small list of things I’d love to see, but honestly I would upgrade if the only thing they change is making them more comfortable.
Wonder which business model they’ll use this time?
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I hope not the subscription model but I’m not holding my breath. I just got a reminder that my free year is expiring soon and I don’t know if I’ll resubscribe.
The workouts are useful but I haven’t used any plans and don’t know if it’s worth the $20 a month. Especially since you have to pay for a pool.
Agreed - no way I’m subscribing to be allowed to put my own open water workouts on hardware I’ve already paid for.
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