Apps

You don't have to be a techy to add some technology to the pool deck. I have had an iPhone since 2010 (I started with a 4 and upgraded to a 5C in September 2013) and love it. After getting some of these great apps on my phone I began to use my phone more around the pool and I began to worry not only about the storage on my phone but also about the possibility of it getting water damage. So in December 2013 I invested in an iPad it has been great.

After shelling out the cash for the iPad I made sure to make the invesment last and splurged and purchused a LifeProof Case. It was definitly worth it. I have not ventured in submerging the iPad as the case suggests but I do feel comfortable handing it to my wet athletes on the side of the pool. The large screen of the iPad really makes a difference too (especially for one of my athletes who can barely see without her glasses) and it is much more convient then having to upload it to the computer or plug in to a T.V.

They make LifeProof cases for iPhones too!

Coaches Eye

I LOVE this app! And I will hopefully will make a blog post about it soon. You can slow down videos (great for thrusts), add in lines, circle things, pause or speed up videos, and even add in a protractor. This app makes video analysis easy and is a great tool for figure training.

Songza

Songza is a pretty popular app so I am sure you have heard of it but make sure you don't write it off as an app to use at the pool. It is great to put on for a workout mix if you forgot one (or more likely if you athletes are tired of the one you keep playing). I also like to play the more obscure playlists when I am at home to hear some new music or artists that might work for a routine.

Balance It

My athletes love doing partner yoga. I think it is because of instagram and the cool partner yoga poses they see there. At a competition one evening back at the hotel they were doing some partner yoga poses and this app gave them some great ideas. It is also helpful to pull up if you have some extra time on land or need some ideas to get you started for deckwork!

Nike Training Club

I used this app more as an athlete then a coach but I am now seeing the merit in using it for coaching too. This app has workouts that talk to you while you are doing it and has videos of each exercise. As an athlete I would use this more during breaks (Christmas, Summer...) and now as a coach I recommend it to my athletes during this time (I give them a little guidence to which workouts to pick). The 'get focused' workouts are also great if you need a land workout or core set last minute!

Team Shake

How often do you ask your athletes to pair up and they get into the same pairs they always do? Or do they complain when you put them into groups? Team Shake does the grouping for you so that they can't complain (and they really don't complain when team shake does the groupings). You imput your athletes names, shake, and they are in groups! You can set the size of groups and athletes skill level so that they are even.

Cardiograph

This app is just really cool. It isn't really the best to use for the pool but I would recommend that your athletes download it at least to check their resting heart rate. The app uses your iPhone camera to check your HR. I don't exactly know how it works but it is worth a try!

Getting in Synch