If you want to become a stronger swimmer, then the MySwimPro app deserves a try. This popular app includes training plans, workouts, a vast video library, and analytics. But can it really help improve your form and speed in the pool? Here's a deep dive into the app, and a look at how the workouts and training plans translate to swimming in real life.

What the MySwimPro App Offers for Swimmers

After downloading MySwimPro, fill out a questionnaire about your current swimming habits, future goals, and pool size. Once that is set up, the app recommends a training plan based on your selections.

For example, the Enhance Speed plan is specifically designed to help you swim a faster 100. If you decide to use the plan, select which days of the week you prefer to swim and decide whether to receive a weekly email with your plan's details. The training plan itself includes a warmup, main set, and cooldown. You can also opt to send the plan to your fitness watch or print out a PDF to avoid the awkwardness of trying to use your phone poolside.

Monitoring Your Swims in the App

A SwimGauge at the top of your plan offers a quick overview of the yardage, expected time, and caloric expenditure for the workout. A sliding scale right underneath the gauge makes it easy to increase or decrease the distance of each workout in one go.

Within the plan, you can watch videos that explain the reasoning behind swim sets or offer a demonstration of how to perform each exercise. Simply tap the information button to learn more. If you're new to swim training, or ever want a refresher on the correct form for a particular set, it's a great tool to have on hand.

For the free version of the app, you can access the first day of your training plan. The rest of the workouts require a subscription for access.

Download: MySwimPro for iOS | Android (Subscription required, free workout available)

Customization and Community Features

If you want to delete any exercises, simply swipe to the left. Plus, you can adjust the reps, distance, stroke type, and interval time by tapping the metrics button. For the most part, the detailed workout plan offers a tremendous amount of customization and information for both beginner and experienced swimmers alike.

Meanwhile, the Community screen includes access to challenges and activities. For a challenge, you might attempt to swim a certain number of days during one month. There's also a leaderboard to inspire a little friendly competition. The activities list includes helpful articles about improving your swim form and speed, as well as links to shop for swim-related tools and nutrition.

The Coach screen offers access to your training plan, as well as a collection of swim and dry-land workouts. There's also a video library demonstrating the right technique and form for a variety of strokes and drills. You need a paid plan to make the most of this section.

Lastly, the Profile screen provides access to a history of your workouts, performance metrics, and a swim profile that explores your skill level. Although the free version of the app includes many features, there are consistent reminders to upgrade.

Is the Paid Version of MySwimPro Worth the Upgrade?

To make the most of the app and access all of its training plans, you will need a subscription. The ability to create your own swim workouts from scratch, try out a huge variety of training plans with a specific focus, and research the giant library of videos is valuable to anyone interested in becoming a stronger swimmer.

With a huge selection of workouts and drills, the video library in particular is an incredibly useful tool. Learn how to do a crossover turn or swim with a cup on your forehead to work on balance. There are even videos focused on open water swimming for those who want to leave lane lines behind and work on sighting.

In addition, this app is especially helpful if you have a water-resistant fitness tracker for swimming to really dial in your metrics. You can also work with data from a digital heart rate monitor to get a better sense of how much effort your workouts require. It's great for a swimmer who appreciates lots of data and feedback.

How Well Do MySwimPro Workouts and Training Plans Work?

For the most part, the MySwimPro app offers in-depth training plans and support similar to the type of training you receive from a swim coach. If you're already an experienced swimmer, then the app's content can help dial in your form and technique.

The training plans in particular are remarkable for the amount of personalization and level of detail that they offer. It's on par with the type of plan you can get from a swim coach, and the app provides a detailed rationale for its exercises.

You may start to see some improvements after using the plan consistently for just a few days. In fact, many reviewers credit the app for their improved speed and confidence in the pool. Beginner swimmers, however, may consider taking lessons in person whenever possible. If it's available to you, working with a swim coach offers valuable feedback, and you can quickly correct potential problems with your form and technique.

In addition, the app can't totally recreate or replace the type of motivation and camaraderie you can find with a local swim team. With that said, the app does offer a lot of articles and videos to help beginners and features a virtual global community, which some swimmers might find inspiring. You can also add friends from the app or social media to liven up your feed.

If in-person coaching and swim groups aren't available—or you simply don't like the idea of someone standing on the side of the pool yelling drill sets at you—then the MySwimPro app can help you learn more about the sport and work with a solid training plan.

You may also want to try out similar apps for tracking swim workouts to find which one works best for your needs. There are also plenty of YouTube videos to improve your swim technique available for free.

Use MySwimPro to Boost Your Swim Training Plans

Whether you want to improve your freestyle, butterfly, or backstroke, the MySwimPro app has the tools and resources to help you become a stronger and more efficient swimmer. With a vast library of reference videos and challenging-but-doable training plans, the app is a solid choice for anyone looking to improve their times in the pool.