Quick Dip: What Is a Cycle Time?

A short read for the car journey

Category: Pace Clock & Lane Skills  | Read time: Under 2 minutes

A cycle time tells you how often to start the next swim. It includes both your swimming time and your rest.

Imagine your coach gives you several swims on a one-minute cycle. If you start at :00, your next start is at :00 one minute later.

If your swim takes 40 seconds, you have 20 seconds to rest. If it takes 45 seconds, you have 15 seconds to rest. These are examples, not target times.

The next start stays the same even though your swimming time changes.

Other cycle times move your starts around the clock. On a 45-second cycle, starting at :00 means your next starts are :45, then :30, then :15. Each start is 45 seconds after the previous one, as the hand continues around.

Keep following the same coloured hand unless your coach tells you otherwise.

A cycle time does not mean swimming for that long and then taking extra rest. Follow the speed your coach asks for, rather than rushing to earn more rest.

Ask your coach: What should I do if I finish too close to my next start to get the rest you want?

Created by Basingstoke Bluefins Coaching Team