What’s the best (most comprehensive, useful) way to automatically keep track of swims? I’m looking for something as convenient and effective as powermeter + heart rate monitor is for biking, but for swimming.
Are you looking to keep track of load?
Typically, Critical Swim Speed (CSS) is the standard.
For tracking progress you can do benchmark swims and record 10" HR after each interval.
Example:
Use a watch to record pace and stroke count for the 400s. Take HR with a 10" pulse count and record it. Aim for consistent, moderate HR on the intervals
WU: Easy FS 500
MS: 3x (moderate FS (Z3) 400 + 30" RI)
CD: Choice 500
Thanks for your reply. I’m looking for a fully automatic way to record the swims so they are included in the intervals.icu fatigue and fitness calculations. My main goal is to see how much additional run/bike training can safely occur, given the swimming.
Super! You’ll need to know your CSS. Follow the link above to learn how to find your CSS then use the zone calculator on that page to get your zones. Use that information to set your paces in your Intervals Settings/Swim.
Once I have the zones, how do I record the swims themselves?
A Garmin watch will do. I don’t swim myself but the files will get into Intervals.icu automatically. And if you capture your swim FTP as @Howie says it will calculate load.
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Is there a way to track the swimming load just with heart rate (eg., Polar H10 or OH1)?
@Howie how do I account for the different loads created by different strokes? A 30 second 50 breast is substantially more difficult than a 30 second 50 free. Do I need separate zones for each stroke?
Yes Intervals.icu will calculate load from HR data (HRSS from Elevate is the default algorithm). I am not sure how well various devices record HR for swimming though.
@ESR, that’s a really good question. Unless you wear an HRM while swimming then load differences will have to come from differences in pace. Watches can detect the various stroke types but AFAIK there’s no way to modify the load based on stroke. My recommendation would be to set your CSS based on your most common stroke, which I’m guessing is FS. Just base all your swimming load by those zones regardless of stroke. If you have a day that you feel was particularly challenging, i.e. because you did 20x 30" 50m breast stroke, then you could bump the load manually. OTOH, you could get a Polar OH1 and change the Intervals.icu Swim settings to calculate load primarily by HR and secondarily by Pace. I have a buddy who has an OH1 and has been successful with it on his bicep and on his goggles. Thoughts?
@david, tracking HR during swimming is still somewhat problematic. HRM’s are uncomfortable and create drag. Watch PPG is hit and miss. Polar’s OH1 is apparently pretty good; I’m told it even works well when mounted on the goggles. Personally, tracking HR during swim is the least of my concerns. 
BTW, this website is a huge help for correcting lap errors.
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Given the variety of swim sets, it looks like HRM is the way to go.
I know some swimmers who like Polar OH1 on the goggles and others who find it uncomfortable because it presses against the temple.
Also I guess can try Polar OH1 on the bicep (didn’t think that would work for swimming) and heart rate strap under the suit (for women).
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If you use an HRM or some PPG device, I’d recommend that you create a custom chart to track HR, pace and load. It may revealing that a) CSS follows the HR load very well; or b) that there is in fact a huge difference for you between HR and what CSS would estimate.
Dont track HR for swimming, there is no good data coming from that. Get your CSS done, get your pace zones from that test and you are ready to go.
Don’t complicate 
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Take a look at Form Goggles. Smart Swim Goggles | FORM Unfortunately, they are going to a subscription model, but goggles record every lap, identify stroke type and can integrate HR with the Polar, and a bunch of other stuff. They have a calorie count, but wouldn’t rely on that for anything important. Post workout uploads (with tons of data) to their site and then off to TP or any other site you may want.
The OH1 can do standalone tracking, so yes with the swim google clip you can use the OH1(+) or Verity Sense with the Polar app to track swimming