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Set pool size to 12,5 meters.

I swim in a pool that’s 12,5 meters. On my Fenix 5s plus I can only adjust down to 14 meters. Is it possible to adjust the length in an other way? On iOS I can change it afterwards to 12 or 13 meters, but not 12,5...

  • That's not possible unfortunately. I4 meters is already an improvement over the 17 meters that the lower limit used to be on older Fenix models. What I've tried in a small pool is setting the length to 2x the actual length, avoiding push off every other turn around, and correct the inevitable errors in the swimming watch data editor . Otherwise, depending on your use case, Drill mode in the Pool Swim app allows entering the distance afterwards, or the Open Water Swim app with GPS off, might be of some use.

  • Similar problem with weight training: the watch does not handle decimal numbers, which are not important if you use lbs, but they matter if you use the civilized world's measuring system LOL!

  • Thank you for your answer. I probably just stick to the 14 meters for now. The most important thing for me is to compete against my own speed and previous workouts, to see if I improve my swimming:-)

    Do Garmin upgrade their software regularly, so that there’s an possibility that they can do something about this issue...?

  • Thank you for the answer!

  • Do Garmin upgrade their software regularly, so that there’s an possibility that they can do something about this issue...?

    It's not an issue. It's common sense. How on earth can you hope to improve swimming in such a small pool? You've hardly got going before you have to stop and turn. There's not enough length to develop a smooth stroke, never mind any pace. I understand that COVID has forced some of us into situations where we have to make do but really, a pool this size was not designed to swim any distance in. Learn to swim in it yes. But to see any improvements you need a longer pool.

    The best thing you can do to get stronger and faster with such a small pool is get a tether (https://www.amazon.com/swim-tether/s?k=swim+tether) or install a flume (https://www.swimmingworldmagazine.com/news/endless-pools-an-alternative-to-improve-swimming-performance/).

  • Hi! Thanks for the answer and the suggestions! 

    I don’t know about other people who uses these training watches, but I’m an middle aged teacher with a to high BMI. And I mainly exercise to try to get in a bit better shape. Not to compete against Mr. M. Phelps.

    We have a pool at my school that I can use, and it is good enough for my exercise. So hopefully you’ll understand that a small pool can be good enough for some people...

  • I totally agree and have always found the #Beatyesterday thing total bullcrap: I am 50, in very good shape, so I am never going to beat yesterday or care about it! I like gadgets, I like to look at the data knowing perfectly well that there is no need to do it, and that's it!

    So yes: you should be able to setup a 12.5 m pool... Why not? Slight smile

  • I agree, I'm over 50, will never improve, and yesterday keeps beating me instead of the reverse. It's all about keeping as fit as I can and enjoying doing that. Gadgets and data are a strong motivator. Whenever I'm confined to the instruction pool, it's just what it is, I'm still going to swim just to have a workout.

    I do really like the idea of the swim tether, I don't think the use of it will be allowed in the pool here, but it's worth asking.

    As to why you can't set 12,5 meters, probably: it's real hard for the software, a good swimmer pushes off and is at the other side in just a few strokes, and it's very hard to count those few strokes correctly and detect pushoffs. But for a bad swimmer like me, it may just work well enough. I'll suggest the idea to Garmin. The more people do that, the better the chances of it getting implemented.

  • For what it's worth at this point I noticed that  can adjust the pool length in Garmin Connect after you upload the activity even below 14m. 

    In terms of training effect, when having such small pool, I of course don't push from sides but start with the strokes right away