BY RUSSELL MARK // HIGH PERFORMANCE CONSULTANT
Some coaches use tempo as a regular training measure, and these numbers show what the best in the country are racing at. Here the tempos for the top 8 male and female performers at 2012 US Olympic Trials.
Important points:
- Individuals who swim multiple distances have slower tempos for the longer races.
- Tempos tend to slow down within each length and race. In general, aim to maintain tempo during a length. You do not want to start too quick and fade at the end.
- While these numbers can be used as a guideline, tempo is very specific to the individual and will vary with technique and body type/size.
Notes for Women's Tempo:
- The women’s tempos fit into tighter ranges than the men’s tempos, potentially narrowing down the ideal tempos for elite women.
- Women’s tempos are faster than the men for most events.
- Just like the men, individuals that swim multiple distances have slower tempos for the longer race.
- Also like the men, tempos tend to slow down within each length and as the race goes on. Maintaining your tempo is consistent with finishing a length and race strong, so aim to do that.
Tempo is being displayed as seconds per cycle. (Cycle = two arm strokes)
![]() This graph shows the 8 individual tempos from each event: ![]() |