Garmin Swim 2 Smartwatch User Manual
GARMIN SWIM™ 2
Owner’s Manual
© 2019 Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries
All rights reserved. Under the copyright laws, this manual may not be copied, in whole or in part, without the written consent of Garmin. Garmin reserves the right to change or improve its
products and to make changes in the content of this manual without obligation to notify any person or organization of such changes or improvements. Go to www.garmin.com for current updates
and supplemental information concerning the use of this product.
Garmin®, the Garmin logo, ANT+®, Auto Lap®, Auto Pause®, Edge®, and VIRB® are trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries, registered in the USA and other countries. Body Battery™, Connect
IQ™, Garmin Connect™, Garmin Express™, Garmin Move IQ™, Garmin Swim™, HRM-Tri™, HRM-Swim™, and TrueUp™ are trademarks of Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries. These trademarks may not
be used without the express permission of Garmin.
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This product is ANT+® certified. Visit www.thisisant.com/directory for a list of compatible products and apps.
Table of Contents
Introduction.....................................................................1
Device Overview......................................................................... 1
GPS Status and Status Icons..................................................... 1
Pairing Your Smartphone with Your Device............................... 1
Training........................................................................... 1
Going for a Pool Swim................................................................ 1
Auto Rest............................................................................... 1
Distance Recording................................................................2
Training with the Drill Log...................................................... 2
Setting a Swim Pace Alert..................................................... 2
Editing a Pace Alert During Pool Swimming.......................... 2
Workouts.....................................................................................2
Following a Pool Swim Workout............................................ 2
Recording a Critical Swim Speed Test.................................. 2
Editing Your Critical Swim Speed Result............................... 3
About the Training Calendar.................................................. 3
Personal Swim Records............................................................. 3
Viewing Your Personal Records............................................ 3
Restoring a Personal Record................................................. 3
Clearing a Personal Record................................................... 3
Clearing All Personal Records............................................... 3
Swimming in Open Water........................................................... 3
Swim Information........................................................................ 3
Swim Terminology................................................................. 3
Stroke Types.......................................................................... 3
Starting an Activity...................................................................... 3
Tips for Recording Activities.................................................. 4
Stopping an Activity.................................................................... 4
Training Indoors.......................................................................... 4
Activity Tracking............................................................ 4
Auto Goal.................................................................................... 4
Using the Move Alert.................................................................. 4
Turning on the Move Alert......................................................4
Intensity Minutes......................................................................... 4
Earning Intensity Minutes.......................................................4
Sleep Tracking............................................................................ 4
Using Automated Sleep Tracking.......................................... 4
Using Do Not Disturb Mode................................................... 4
Smart Features............................................................... 4
Bluetooth Connected Features................................................... 4
Manually Syncing Data with Garmin Connect........................5
Widgets....................................................................................... 5
Viewing the Widgets.............................................................. 5
Viewing the Controls Menu......................................................... 5
Locating a Lost Mobile Device.................................................... 5
Controlling Music Playback on a Connected Smartphone......... 5
Enabling Bluetooth Notifications................................................. 6
Viewing Notifications.............................................................. 6
Managing Notifications...........................................................6
Turning Off the Bluetooth Smartphone Connection............... 6
Turning On and Off Smartphone Connection Alerts.............. 6
Syncing Activities........................................................................ 6
Heart Rate Features....................................................... 6
Wrist-based Heart Rate.............................................................. 6
Heart Rate While Swimming.................................................. 6
Wearing the Device................................................................6
Tips for Erratic Heart Rate Data.............................................6
Viewing the Heart Rate Widget.............................................. 6
Broadcasting Heart Rate Data to Garmin Devices................ 7
Setting an Abnormal Heart Rate Alert....................................7
Turning Off the Wrist-based Heart Rate Monitor................... 7
About Heart Rate Zones............................................................. 7
Fitness Goals......................................................................... 7
Setting Your Maximum Heart Rate
Customizing Your Heart Rate Zones and Maximum Heart
Rate....................................................................................... 7
Heart Rate Zone Calculations................................................ 7
Training Effect.............................................................................8
Heart Rate Variability and Stress Level...................................... 8
Using the Stress Level Widget............................................... 8
Body Battery............................................................................... 8
Viewing the Body Battery Widget...........................................8
Tips for Improved Body Battery Data..................................... 9
........................................ 7
History............................................................................. 9
Swim History............................................................................... 9
Viewing History........................................................................... 9
Deleting History.......................................................................... 9
Viewing Data Totals.................................................................... 9
Data Management...................................................................... 9
Deleting Files......................................................................... 9
Disconnecting the USB Cable................................................9
Garmin Connect..........................................................................9
Syncing Your Data with the Garmin Connect App................. 9
Using Garmin Connect on Your Computer............................ 9
Customizing Your Device............................................ 10
Setting Up Your User Profile.....................................................10
Activity Options......................................................................... 10
Customizing Your Swim Options......................................... 10
Customizing Your Activity Options....................................... 10
Changing Your Displayed Activities..................................... 10
Setting a Recurring Alert...................................................... 10
Setting the Pool Size............................................................10
Setting a Countdown Start................................................... 10
Customizing the Data Fields................................................ 10
Turning on the Lap Key....................................................... 10
Marking Laps by Distance....................................................11
Using the Auto Pause® Feature.......................................... 11
Changing the GPS Setting................................................... 11
Customizing the Widget Loop................................................... 11
Activity Tracking Settings..........................................................11
Turning Off Activity Tracking................................................ 11
Watch Face Settings.................................................................11
Customizing the Watch Face............................................... 11
Downloading Connect IQ Features...................................... 11
Downloading Connect IQ Features Using Your Computer.. 11
System Settings........................................................................ 11
Time Settings....................................................................... 12
Time Zones.......................................................................... 12
Changing the Backlight Settings.......................................... 12
Setting the Device Sounds.................................................. 12
Locking and Unlocking the Device....................................... 12
Displaying Pace or Speed....................................................12
Changing the Units of Measure........................................... 12
Clock......................................................................................... 12
Setting the Time Manually................................................... 12
Syncing the Time with GPS................................................. 12
Setting an Alarm.................................................................. 12
Deleting an Alarm................................................................ 12
Starting the Countdown Timer............................................. 12
Using the Stopwatch............................................................ 13
Device Information....................................................... 13
Charging the Device................................................................. 13
Tips for Charging the Device............................................... 13
Wearing the Device.................................................................. 13
Device Care.............................................................................. 13
Cleaning the Device............................................................. 13
Changing the Bands............................................................ 13
Specifications............................................................................14
Table of Contents i
Viewing Device Information...................................................... 14
Troubleshooting........................................................... 14
Product Updates....................................................................... 14
Updating the Software Using the Garmin Connect App...... 14
Setting Up Garmin Express................................................. 14
Updating the Software Using Garmin Express.................... 14
Getting More Information.......................................................... 14
Activity Tracking........................................................................14
My daily step count does not appear................................... 14
My step count does not seem accurate............................... 14
The step counts on my device and my Garmin Connect
account don't match............................................................. 14
My intensity minutes are flashing......................................... 14
Acquiring Satellite Signals........................................................ 14
Improving GPS Satellite Reception......................................14
Restarting the Device............................................................... 15
Resetting All Default Settings................................................... 15
My device is in the wrong language......................................... 15
Is my smartphone compatible with my device?........................ 15
My phone will not connect to the device................................... 15
Can I use the cardio activity outdoors?.................................... 15
Tips for Existing Garmin Connect Users...................................15
Maximizing Battery Life.............................................................15
Appendix....................................................................... 15
Data Fields................................................................................15
ANT+ Heart Rate Monitor......................................................... 16
Pairing Your External Heart Rate Monitor............................16
Fitness Goals............................................................................ 16
About Heart Rate Zones...................................................... 17
Heart Rate Zone Calculations.............................................. 17
Index.............................................................................. 18
ii Table of Contents
Introduction
WARNING
See the Important Safety and Product Information guide in the
product box for product warnings and other important
information.
Always consult your physician before you begin or modify any
exercise program.
Device Overview
LIGHT Select to turn the device on.
Select to turn the backlight on and off.
Hold to view the controls menu.
START
STOP
BACK
LAP
DOWN Select to scroll through the widgets, data screens, options,
UP Select to scroll through the widgets, data screens, options,
GPS Status and Status Icons
For outdoor activities, the status bar turns green when GPS is
ready. A flashing icon means the device is searching for a signal
or connected device. A solid icon means the signal was found or
the device is connected.
GPS GPS status
Pairing Your Smartphone with Your Device
To use the connected features of the Garmin Swim 2 device, it
must be paired directly through the Garmin Connect™ app,
instead of from the Bluetooth® settings on your smartphone.
From the app store on your smartphone, install and open the
1
Garmin Connect app.
Bring your smartphone within 10 m (33 ft.) of your device.
2
Select LIGHT to turn on the device.
3
The first time you turn on the device, it is in pairing mode.
TIP: You can hold LIGHT, and select to manually enter
pairing mode.
Select an option to add your device to your Garmin Connect
4
account:
• If this is the first time you are pairing a device with the
• If you already paired another device with the Garmin
Select to start and stop the timer.
Select to choose an option or to acknowledge a message.
Select to return to the previous screen.
Select to record a lap during an activity.
and settings.
Hold to open the music controls.
and settings.
Hold to view the menu.
Battery status
Smartphone connection status
Heart rate status
Garmin Connect app, follow the on-screen instructions.
Connect app, from the or menu, select Garmin
Devices > Add Device, and follow the on-screen
instructions.
Training
Going for a Pool Swim
From the watch face, select START > Pool Swim.
1
Select your pool size, or enter a custom size.
2
Select START.
3
Start swimming.
4
The device automatically records swim intervals and lengths.
If resting, select LAP to create a rest interval.
5
The display reverses to white text on a black background,
and the rest screen appears.
From resting, select LAP to resume swimming and create a
6
new swim interval.
NOTE: You can also use the auto rest feature to have the
device automatically create rest intervals (Auto Rest,
page 1).
Select UP or DOWN to view additional data pages (optional).
7
After you complete your swim, select STOP to stop the
8
activity timer.
Select an option:
9
• Select Resume to restart the activity timer.
• Select Save to save the swim and reset the activity timer.
You can view a summary, or select DOWN to view more
data.
• Select Discard > Yes to delete the swim.
Auto Rest
The auto rest feature is available only for pool swimming. Your
device automatically detects when you are resting, and the rest
screen appears. If you rest for more than 15 seconds, the device
automatically creates a rest interval. When you resume
swimming, the device automatically starts a new swim interval.
Introduction 1
You can turn on the auto rest feature in the activity options
(Customizing Your Swim Options, page 10).
TIP: For best results using the auto rest feature, minimize your
arm motions while resting.
If you do not want to use the auto rest feature, you can select
LAP to manually mark the beginning and end of each rest
interval.
Distance Recording
The Garmin Swim 2 device measures and records distance by
completed lengths. The pool size must be correct to display
accurate distance (Setting the Pool Size, page 10).
TIP: For accurate results, swim the entire length, and use one
stroke type for the entire length. Pause the timer when resting.
TIP: To help the device count your lengths, use a strong push
off the wall and glide before your first stroke.
TIP: When doing drills, you must either pause the timer or use
the drill logging feature (Training with the Drill Log, page 2).
Training with the Drill Log
The drill log feature is available only for pool swimming. You can
use the drill log feature to manually record kick sets, one-arm
swimming, or any type of swimming that is not one of the four
major strokes.
During your pool swim activity, select UP or DOWN to view
1
the drill log screen.
Select LAP to start the drill timer.
2
After you complete a drill interval, select LAP.
3
The drill timer stops, but the activity timer continues to record
the entire swim session.
Select a distance for the completed drill.
4
Distance increments are based on the pool size selected for
the activity profile.
Select an option:
5
• To start another drill interval, select LAP.
• To start a swim interval, select UP or DOWN to return to
the swim training screens.
Setting a Swim Pace Alert
You can set a target pace for your pool swim. An alert notifies
you each time you should turn at the pool wall. For example, if
you set a pace target of 2 minutes per 100 m, with a pool length
of 25 m, the alert will sound every 30 seconds.
NOTE: Pacing alerts require precise interval timing. For more
accurate results when swimming with a pace alert, use the LAP
key for rest intervals instead of the auto rest feature.
From the watch face, select START > Pool Swim > Options
1
> Alerts > Add New > Pacing.
Set the units to meters or yards.
2
Enter the time.
3
The target pace time appears at the top of the screen.
Select START.
4
A screen appears indicating how frequently the pacing alert
sounds based on the selected pool size.
Select BACK twice to return to the timer page.
5
Editing a Pace Alert During Pool Swimming
During your pool swim, hold UP.
1
Select Pacing Alert.
2
Select UP or DOWN to adjust the pace.
3
Select .
4
The updated pace time appears.
TIP: To mute the pacing alert, hold UP, and select Mute
Pacing Alert.
Workouts
Your device can guide you through multiple-step workouts that
include goals for each workout step, such as distance, reps,
stroke type, or other metrics. You can create custom pool swim
workouts using Garmin Connect and transfer them to your
device.
You can create a scheduled training plan using the calendar in
Garmin Connect and send the scheduled workouts to your
device.
Following a Pool Swim Workout
Your device can guide you through multiple steps in a workout.
NOTE: Before you can download and use a workout, you must
have a Garmin Connect account (Pairing Your Smartphone with
Your Device, page 1).
From the watch face, select START > Pool Swim > Options
1
> Workouts.
Select an option:
2
• Select My Workouts to do workouts downloaded from
Garmin Connect.
• Select Critical Swim Speed to determine your anaerobic
threshold speed.
• Select Training Calendar to do or view your scheduled
workouts.
Follow the on-screen instructions.
3
Creating a Custom Swim Workout on Garmin Connect
Before you can create a workout on the Garmin Connect app,
you must have a Garmin Connect account (Garmin Connect,
page 9).
From the Garmin Connect app, select or .
1
Select Training > Workouts > Create a Workout.
2
Select Pool Swim.
3
Create your custom workout.
4
Select Save.
5
Enter a name for your workout, and select Save.
6
The new workout appears in your list of workouts.
NOTE: You can send this workout to your device (Sending a
Custom Workout to Your Device, page 2).
Sending a Custom Workout to Your Device
You can send a custom workout you created using the Garmin
Connect app to your device (Creating a Custom Swim Workout
on Garmin Connect, page 2).
From the Garmin Connect app, select or .
1
Select Training > Workouts.
2
Select a workout from the list.
3
Select .
4
Select your compatible device.
5
Follow the on-screen instructions..
6
Recording a Critical Swim Speed Test
Your Critical Swim Speed (CSS) value is the result of a timetrial-based test. Your CSS is the theoretical speed you can
maintain continuously without exhaustion. You can use your
CSS to guide your training pace and monitor your improvement.
From the watch face. select START > Pool Swim > Options
1
> Workouts > Critical Swim Speed > Do Critical Swim
Speed Test.
Select DOWN to preview the workout steps.
2
Select Do Test > START.
3
Follow the on-screen instructions.
4
A screen appears with your CSS result.
Select Accept or Decline.
5
2 Training
Editing Your Critical Swim Speed Result
You can manually edit or enter a new time for your CSS value.
From the watch face, select START > Pool Swim > Options
1
> Workouts > Critical Swim Speed > CSS.
Enter the minutes.
2
Select START.
3
Enter the seconds.
4
Select START.
5
Your new CSS time appears at the top of the screen.
About the Training Calendar
The training calendar on your device is an extension of the
training calendar or schedule you set up in Garmin Connect.
After you have added a few workouts to the Garmin Connect
calendar, you can send them to your device. All scheduled
workouts sent to the device appear in the calendar widget.
When you select a day in the calendar, you can view or do the
workout. The scheduled workout stays on your device whether
you complete it or skip it. When you send scheduled workouts
from Garmin Connect, they overwrite the existing training
calendar.
Viewing Scheduled Workouts
You can view swim workouts scheduled in your training calendar
and start a workout.
From the watch face, select START > Pool Swim >
1
Workouts > Training Calendar.
Your scheduled workouts appear, sorted by date.
Select a workout.
2
Select an option:
3
• To view the steps for the workout, select View.
• To start the workout, select Do Workout.
Personal Swim Records
When you complete a swim, the device displays any new
personal records you achieved during that activity. Personal
records include your fastest time over several typical race
distances and longest swim.
Viewing Your Personal Records
From the watch face, hold UP.
1
Select History > Records.
2
Select a record.
3
Select View Record.
4
Restoring a Personal Record
You can set each personal record back to the one previously
recorded.
From the watch face, hold UP.
1
Select History > Records.
2
Select a record to restore.
3
Select Previous > Yes.
4
NOTE: This does not delete any saved activities.
Clearing a Personal Record
From the watch face, hold UP.
1
Select History > Records.
2
Select a record to delete.
3
Select Clear Record > Yes.
4
NOTE: This does not delete any saved activities.
Clearing All Personal Records
From the watch face, hold UP.
1
Select History > Records.
2
Select Clear All Records > Yes.
3
NOTE: This does not delete any saved activities.
Swimming in Open Water
You can record swim data including distance, pace, and stroke
rate. You can add data screens to the default open water
swimming activity (Customizing the Data Fields, page 10).
Select START > Open Water.
1
Go outside and wait while the device locates satellites.
2
Select START to start the activity timer.
3
Start swimming.
4
Select UP or DOWN to view additional data pages (optional).
5
After you finish the activity, select STOP > Save.
6
Swim Information
Swim Terminology
Length: One trip down the pool.
Interval: One or more consecutive lengths. A new interval starts
after a rest.
Stroke: A stroke is counted every time your arm wearing the
device completes a full cycle.
Swolf: Your swolf score is the sum of the time for one pool
length and the number of strokes for that length. For
example, 30 seconds plus 15 strokes equals a swolf score of
45. For open water swimming, swolf is calculated over 25
meters. Swolf is a measurement of swimming efficiency and,
like golf, a lower score is better.
Critical swim speed (CSS): Your CSS is the theoretical speed
that you can maintain continuously without exhaustion. You
can use your CSS to guide your training pace and monitor
your improvement.
Stroke Types
Stroke type identification is available only for pool swimming.
Your stroke type is identified at the end of a length. Stroke types
appear in your swimming history and in your Garmin Connect
account. You can also select stroke type as a custom data field
(Customizing the Data Fields, page 10).
Free Freestyle
Back Backstroke
Breast Breaststroke
Fly Butterfly
Mixed More than one stroke type in an interval
Drill Used with drill logging (Training with the Drill Log, page 2)
Starting an Activity
When you start an activity, GPS turns on automatically (if
required). If you have an optional wireless sensor, you can pair it
to the Garmin Swim 2 device (Pairing Your External Heart Rate
Monitor, page 16).
From the watch face, select START.
1
Select an activity.
2
If the activity requires GPS signals, go outside to an area with
3
a clear view of the sky.
Wait until the green status bar appears.
4
The device is ready after it establishes your heart rate,
acquires GPS signals (if required), and connects to your
wireless sensors (if required).
Select START to start the activity timer.
5
TIP: You can hold DOWN while in an activity to open the
music controls (Controlling Music Playback on a Connected
Smartphone, page 5).
Training 3
Tips for Recording Activities
• Charge the device before starting an activity (Charging the
Device, page 13).
• Select LAP to record laps.
• Select UP or DOWN to view additional data pages.
Stopping an Activity
Select STOP.
1
Select an option:
2
• To resume your activity, select Resume.
• To save the activity, select Save.
• To discard the activity, select Discard > Yes.
Training Indoors
You can turn off GPS when you are training indoors or to save
battery life. When running or walking with GPS turned off, speed
and distance are calculated using the accelerometer in the
device. The accelerometer is self-calibrating. The accuracy of
the speed and distance data improves after a few outdoor runs
using GPS.
From the watch face, select START.
1
Select an activity.
2
Select Options > GPS > Off.
3
NOTE: If you select an activity that is typically done indoors,
GPS is automatically turned off.
Activity Tracking
The activity tracking feature records your daily step count,
distance traveled, intensity minutes, calories burned, and sleep
statistics for each recorded day. Your calories burned includes
your base metabolism plus activity calories.
The number of steps taken during the day appears on the steps
widget. The step count is updated periodically.
For more information about activity tracking and fitness metric
accuracy, go to garmin.com/ataccuracy.
Auto Goal
Your device creates a daily step goal automatically, based on
your previous activity levels. As you move during the day, the
device shows your progress toward your daily goal. Each
segment on the step bar represents five percent of your daily
goal. You can sync your data with the Garmin Connect Mobile
app to view your current step count.
If you choose not to use the auto goal feature, you can set a
personalized step goal on your Garmin Connect account.
Using the Move Alert
Sitting for prolonged periods of time can trigger undesirable
metabolic state changes. The move alert reminds you to keep
moving. After one hour of inactivity, Move! and the red bar
appear. Additional segments appear after every 15 minutes of
inactivity. The device also beeps or vibrates if audible tones are
turned on (Setting the Device Sounds, page 12).
Go for a short walk (at least a couple of minutes) to reset the
move alert.
Turning on the Move Alert
From the watch face, hold UP.
1
Select > Activity Tracking > Move Alert > On.
2
Intensity Minutes
To improve your health, organizations such as the World Health
Organization recommend at least 150 minutes per week of
moderate intensity activity, such as brisk walking, or 75 minutes
per week of vigorous intensity activity, such as running.
The device monitors your activity intensity and tracks your time
spent participating in moderate to vigorous intensity activities
(heart rate data is required to quantify vigorous intensity). You
can work toward achieving your weekly intensity minutes goal by
participating in at least 10 consecutive minutes of moderate to
vigorous intensity activities. The device adds the amount of
moderate activity minutes with the amount of vigorous activity
minutes. Your total vigorous intensity minutes are doubled when
added.
Earning Intensity Minutes
Your Garmin Swim 2 device calculates intensity minutes by
comparing your heart rate data to your average resting heart
rate. If heart rate is turned off, the device calculates moderate
intensity minutes by analyzing your steps per minute.
• Start a timed activity for the most accurate calculation of
intensity minutes.
• Exercise for at least 10 consecutive minutes at a moderate or
vigorous intensity level.
• Wear your device all day and night for the most accurate
resting heart rate.
Sleep Tracking
While you are sleeping, the device automatically detects your
sleep and monitors your movement during your normal sleep
hours. You can set your normal sleep hours in the user settings
on your Garmin Connect account. Sleep statistics include total
hours of sleep, sleep levels, and sleep movement. You can view
your sleep statistics on your Garmin Connect account.
NOTE: Naps are not added to your sleep statistics. You can use
do not disturb mode to turn off notifications and alerts, with the
exception of alarms (Using Do Not Disturb Mode, page 4).
Using Automated Sleep Tracking
Wear your device while sleeping.
1
Upload your sleep tracking data to the Garmin Connect site
2
(Garmin Connect, page 9).
You can view your sleep statistics on your Garmin Connect
account.
Using Do Not Disturb Mode
You can use do not disturb mode to turn off the backlight, tone
alerts, and vibration alerts. For example, you can use this mode
while sleeping or watching a movie.
NOTE: You can set your normal sleep hours in the user settings
on your Garmin Connect account. You can enable the During
Sleep option in the system settings to automatically enter do not
disturb mode during your normal sleep hours (System Settings,
page 11).
Hold LIGHT.
1
Select Do Not Disturb.
2
Smart Features
Bluetooth Connected Features
The Garmin Swim 2 device has several Bluetooth connected
features for your compatible smartphone using the Garmin
Connect app.
Activity uploads: Automatically sends your activity to the
Garmin Connect app as soon as you finish recording the
activity.
Find my phone: Locates your lost smartphone that is paired
with your Garmin Swim 2 device and currently within range.
Find my watch: Locates your lost Garmin Swim 2 device that is
paired with your smartphone and currently within range.
4 Activity Tracking
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