Cannot create multi-step workouts in Pool Swim

Workout example

For instance: 4x (150x freestyle + 50m on back + 20sec rest)

1. Cannot create multi-step workouts (it is possible in Run)

You can create multi-step Pool Swim workouts, you just cannot have more than two steps within a repeat in a Pool Swim workout. I see you can drag a step and drop it into a repeat for Run workouts. (Yes, I just went and tried it for myself, even though I personally have no actual use for such workouts.) That is hardly the only difference in options/limitations between Run workouts and Pool Swim workouts, though. For example, you can set intensity targets for each step of a Run workout, or a distance (instead of time) criterion for a Rest step in a Run workout, but not for Pool Swim workouts; on the flip side, you cannot specify a style of running for each step in a Run workout like you can for Pool Swim workouts.

My conclusion: expecting Run workouts and Pool Swim workouts to have the same flexibility is simply misguided.

Can anyone suggest workarounds?

For instance: 4x (150x freestyle + 50m on back + 20sec rest)

A 12-step workout, then?

Steps inside repeat is the problem indeed

Steps inside the repeat is the problem indeed. Your described method is a workaround, but it's so cumbersome with most of my swim drills that I will not even bother.

But more importantly - when I've specified a 200m freestyle swim, why does it not automatically "complete" when I've reached at the end of the 8th pool length in a 25m pool?

when I've specified a 200m freestyle swim, why does it not automatically "complete" when I've reached at the end of the 8th pool length in a 25m pool?

I don't know. I don't swim, and I don't think I can make 200m at a go if my life depended on it, so I won't be experimenting. :)

1. I find it quite frustrating as well, that you can't add more steps into a swim repeat.

2. I think the watch doesn't finish a distance automatically, because it doesn't exactly knows when you finish a lap, until
- your press lap/stop
- do a turn

By biggest frustration, however, is that you can't use workouts in combination with pace alerts, eg an 1:30min alert for every 100m.

Saying that, what is the best way to give Garmin feedback?

That depends on the type of feedback

what is the best way to give Garmin feedback?

For suggestions of new/additional features to increase a device's utility and value to customers (as opposed to expressions of frustration or outrage at not having what one wrongly assumed would already be available) post-sale, try https://www8.garmin.com/contactUs/ideas/form.html

thanks for the link!

My frustration is more in the fact that Garmin rolls out a new swim workout function, but does it with basic features only.
You would think that they test with us (the swimmers) whether a swim set can be replicated/build in the workout function...

cheers! :cool:

And how would you expect them to do that? Swim sets are inherently more complicated and more convoluted than cycling or running intervals. Who would they engage with? If they are going to do something, then perhaps they should consider working with https://swimplan.com to develop programs similar in methodology to those for running.

For now, I'll stick to writing my plans and keeping them at the edge of the pool.

… Garmin rolls out a new swim workout function, but does it with basic features only.

My take on that as a retail customer is that swim workouts were not any part of what was promised to me (by way of statements and claims in the Garmin product's specifications sheet and other marketing collateral), so the new capability is a bonus and a freebie, and basic features are better than none at all.