XMETRICS: THE DEVICE THAT TRIED TO REVOLUTIONIZE SWIM TRACKING

Xmetrics: The Device That Tried to Revolutionize Swim Tracking

"All you have to do is swim."

That was the bold claim made by Xmetrics, a technology company that aimed to disrupt the swimming world with a new wearable gadget.

While the landscape of swim tech has evolved since this device was announced, the core philosophy behind Xmetrics remains incredibly relevant. It challenged the dominance of wrist-based trackers and introduced the concept of real-time audio feedback.

This article explores the design and features of Xmetrics and why its approach to data tracking was, and still is, a game-changer for swimmers.

Dive Into: The Xmetrics Concept

Why Another Swim Tracker?

Like the Instabeat (another pioneering device), Xmetrics attaches to your goggles. But instead of a visual display, it uses audio.

The world is crazy about wristbands and watches, but for swimming, that form factor has serious flaws. By moving the technology to the back of the head and using audio, Xmetrics aimed to provide feedback without disrupting the swimmer's flow.

Slick design meats real-time audio feedback
Xmetrics mounts to the back of the head to reduce drag.

The Problem with Swimming Watches

Here is why traditional watches are often just a "translation" of land-based tech rather than a true swimming solution:

  • Asymmetrical Weight: Adding a heavy watch to only one arm creates an imbalance. Over thousands of strokes, this asymmetry can affect your technique and even lead to shoulder strain.
  • Bad Timing: You can't look at your wrist while swimming. By the time you stop at the wall to check your pace, the moment to make a correction is gone.
  • Distraction: Fiddling with buttons and settings breaks your focus.
  • Drag: A bulky watch disrupts your streamline at the wrist, a critical entry point into the water.
Small enough to fit under the swim cap
The device is small enough to fit comfortably under a swim cap.

What Metrics Actually Matter?

Since watches have limitations, what data should we actually care about?

  • Laps Swum (Quantity): Often a useless metric. Focus on quality, not just volume. Bragging about "swimming 30K" means nothing if it was all done with poor form.
  • Stroke Count (SPL): Very useful, but only when combined with time. This gives you your SWOLF score, a true measure of efficiency.
  • Heart Rate: Useful for recovery and zoning, but often misused.
  • Pace: Essential. Learning to read the pace clock is a fundamental skill.
  • Real-Time Feedback: This is the holy grail. Knowing your efficiency during the lap allows you to fix it instantly.
Looks like something from the future. Wait.. IT IS :).
Looks like something from the future. Wait.. IT IS :).

Xmetrics Features: Audio Coaching

The Italian creators of Xmetrics designed it to give real-time audio feedback on biomechanical data (stroke count, efficiency, frequency) and biological data (heart rate).

Imagine hearing your stroke rate or pace in your ear as you swim. It’s a huge motivator and a powerful tool for technique correction.

Upload your data and analyze at later time on Android, iOS and Windows mobile devices
The app interface was designed for deep analysis.

🎥 Watch: Xmetrics in Action

Report a non-functional swim video

The Legacy: Real-Time Feedback

Whether Xmetrics itself becomes the standard or not, the idea it championed is the future of swimming.

Real-time feedback means spending less time chasing historical data and more time improving in the water. While Xmetrics paved the way with audio, we are now seeing this concept evolve even further with visual heads-up displays in products like FORM goggles.

How Xmetrics is positioned among its competitors
Xmetrics aimed to fill the gap between basic trackers and professional coaching tools.

Ultimately, the dream is a connected "hive" of devices, allowing swimmers to compete and share metrics in real-time. Welcome to the digitized future of swimming.

Historical Note: You can view the original Indiegogo campaign for Xmetrics here, as well as the campaign for the similar (and also discontinued) Instabeat attachment.

Frequently Asked Questions

What was Xmetrics?

Xmetrics was a pioneering swimming wearable announced in 2014 via crowdfunding. Unlike a watch, it clipped to the back of the goggle strap and aimed to provide real-time audio coaching.

Why is audio feedback better for swimming?

You cannot look at a watch while swimming without ruining your stroke. Audio feedback (or modern visual HUDs) allows you to receive pace, stroke count, or heart rate data instantly while maintaining perfect form.

Why are wrist-based trackers problematic for swimming?

Wrist trackers add asymmetrical weight to one arm, create drag, and encourage you to look at your wrist, which breaks your streamline. They measure data but often interfere with the stroke itself.

Can I still buy Xmetrics?

The product is no longer widely available for consumers. However, the concept of real-time feedback lives on in modern devices like FORM Swim Goggles (visual) and Phlex (head-mounted tracking).

What metrics are most important to track?

While many trackers count laps, the most valuable metrics for improvement are Stroke Rate, Pace per 100m, and SWOLF (efficiency). Real-time feedback on these metrics helps you adjust your technique in the moment.

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Swim Advice Topics

Xmetrics: The Device That Tried to Revolutionize Swim Tracking is part of the following categories: Swim Gear and Equipment, Science and Technology, Swimming Wearables

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Comments (5)

Anonymous said...
Definitely worth a trial and review.
Reply
cmillholland said...
I purchased mine in December 2015 but have little luck getting it to download data. Only once was I successful and have made several attempts since. Sometimes I get a 'It looks like your data has been reset' message. Usually I get a 'Please ensure your XMETRICS(R) device is connected message' after 10-15 minutes of waiting for a download. And now while my computer recognizes a new device XMETRICS just says 'Please connect your device.' I am rather dubious of the whole idea, and the fact that you plug a jack into a wet device is troubling. Why not use Bluetooth?.

So far I have only seen hype and promise for this device and have not seen one report of a successful user. If anyone is using it successfully I would love to hear about it. For now I am completely frustrated and about ready to toss the whole kit.
Reply
Libor J said...
@cmillholland: thank you very much for sharing your experience. Very interesting insight.
Reply
Paolo said...
I have bought PRO in the late 2016 and after 7 months of intensive daily training I have to say that the device is really worth buying! We can divide the performance it delivers in two part: 'real time' and 'data collection'. The 'real time' (programmable via blootooth from your I-phone) gives you lots of room to program the data you need to 'hear' whilst swimming (time included) whitout any lag. You can monitor your performance each turn if you wish. The 'data collection' part, i.e. when you get connected with your Mac (or Win) gives you so many data to chose among that you are overflood with data: The possibility to download them in excel gives you even more room to elaborate them in different ways you can dissect your performance bit by bit, like a foresnic analysys!!. If you do not want to bother yourself with Excel, the syntesys you can have on their program (organised on a personal calendar on the cloud) could be more than enough likely for 99% of the folk. I have tried several devices, but definitely this one is really designed 'on purpose', and the position behind the haed is really very comforable and it does not affect the overall performance. Apart from minor problem at the beginning (due to my missing knowledge of the device) I have found no problem at all using it (nor connection nor has even failed one to recognise a swimming style - a tipycal probelm of othr devices I tested). Even if it could worth suggest to the company the download of the data via blootooth on the next release, connecting a USB cable to your laptop is not that troublesome. (and anyhow from time to time you have to charge it!).
I definitivaly suggest it: 'value for money'.
Reply
Robert said...
I love this Xmetrics device! It is totally accurate on my laps, and I love how I can listen in real time how I am doing. I choose to hear it tell me when each minute is up. Then I challenge myself to be at a certain part of the pool the next minute. There are also several other hearing options. If I do not want to use the earplugs, I simply do not put them on. The customer service also is exceptional. If whatever issue you might be having, they are quick to reply, and I have even gotten a new and updated pro version, for free, which was a great surprise to me because I had only paid for the fit version. This is a winning product! It gives so much detail into each workout.
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