**Ode to the Joys of the Tempo Trainer**

For Beethoven, back in 1816, the newly patented metronome was cutting-edge mechanical technology. He was one of the first major composers to add exact metronome tempi to his scores. But, as Beethoven scholar Robert Greenberg notes, “…no evil device or inquisition created by personkind – not thumbscrews, not the rack, not hot pincers, cattleprods, corsets, English humor, or network television – has exacted more exquisite torture on more innocent souls than the metronome. It’s exact, merciless ticking forces musicians to play in a manner as mechanical as its own gear-filled soul, yet the metronome is an irreplaceable device for establishing tempi and learning to play with a steady beat.”

Come join us this week as we sing an Ode to the Joys of the Tempo Trainer, every swimmer’s version of the metronome.

**Monday**

**Early Concepts and Skills: Tempo Trainers – How and Why to Use Them**

Swimming – and music – are all about rhythm. A FINIS Tempo Trainer can help you find just the right rhythm for your stroke. 

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/2962-tempo-trainer-how-and-why-to-use-them>

Endless Pool type of study for $50,000 less

Static testing

Consistency

Finding failure points

Adjusting stroke technique

Learning variables

Playing physical games

**Tuesday**

**Freestyle Drill: Building a Longer Stroke**

Glenn demos how to get young swimmers to *gradually* adopt a longer stroke, using the FINIS Tempo Trainer. 

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/1710-freestyle-building-a-longer-stroke>

If you’re working with young athletes, time is on your side.

If you’re working with older athletes, time is on your side.

.89 - up to .95 

1 week at each - .02 / week

Maintain speed

Maintain intervals

**Wednesday**

**Masters Tempo Trainer Workout**

Glenn describes how to use a Tempo Trainer to help a triathlete home in on their best, sustainable stroke rate. 

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/1694-masters-tempo-trainer-workout>

Get baseline data in warm-up

8 x 25 @ :30 comfortable

Get pace and rate

16 x 25 @ :30

12 x 50 @ :55

8 x 75 @ 1:20

Same count and rate through the entire set

**Thursday**

**Breaststroke Drill: Playing with Rate**

Learning better breaststroke, i.e., learning to find your LINE, sometimes means lengthening the stroke to the point where it becomes uncomfortable. Enter the Tempo Trainer! 

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/1535-breaststroke-playing-with-rate>

Consistent water speed at varying tempo

Slowing the tempo at the same water speed

1:25 - 1:30 - 1:35 - 1:40 - Choice 

**Friday**

**Breaststroke – Tempo Trainer Kick on Your Back**

The Tempo Trainer is a tremendous tool for training “fast feet” in breaststroke. 

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/1062-breaststroke-tempo-trainer-kick-on-your-back>

Fast feet up and down on breaststroke

Fast heals

1.70 - 1.50 - 1.30 - 1.10 - .90 - .70

Push the limits of rate

**Saturday**

**Learning the Underwater Dolphin – Step 4**

Here’s how we use the Tempo Trainer to teach proper FORWARD and BACKWARD technique on the underwater dolphin. 

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/3503-step-4-repeat-step-3-with-rate>

Forward - Backward Mantra

.80 - .65 - .50 - .35 - .20

**Sunday**

**All Strokes – Underwater Dolphins – Changing Rate**

Underwater dolphins are super important. But…how many? How big? How fast? How slow? The answer is different for every swimmer. The Tempo Trainer is the tool that can provide answers. 

<https://www.goswim.tv/lessons/1960-underwater-dolphins-increasing-rate>

As in the previous exercise, increase the rate

Increases rate - reduce amplitude

Time yourself to a predetermined mark

Find your rate - then put on fins

Match the rate with the fins

Increased surface area at the same rate = more power

Fins = more mature physically ready athletes


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Oct. 8, 2024 - Tempo Trainer