You’ll usually be given a start time and a stop time, and they’ll be something like a wall clock to help you. Usually, the administrator will also tell you when you have ten or five minutes remaining of a section. If you do find a watch helpful, opt for something like a Casio. They’re pretty reliable, and you can find good ones for 15 to 25 bucks on Amazon. There are more expensive ones, but you don’t need that. Hope this helps, and good luck! I’m taking the ACT that day, too!
OK, so I paid $16, not $12. There are less and more expensive options, but this is the one I have and it’s perfect.
I get that a lot of those who workout like to use apps on their smart watch or phone during their sessions to track stuff...
I keep track of lifting progressions in a journal that I bring to the gym. The idea of being connected to the internet while working out makes me cringe.
So like someone said in the comments, I just chill in between sets and focus on my breathing I guess. I genuinely think you’ll do better at the gym without checking your phone sporadically through a session. Being disconnected just lets you focus on the exercise and nothing else.
Any watch with a 50m (5atm) water resistance rating is suitable for swimming laps.
I've been using this one for 1 year between surfing and the gym. It's $14 and will probably last 10 years.
https://www.amazon.com/Casio-W800H-1AV-Classic-Sport-Watch/dp/B001AWZDA4 Smash it into walls with my gangly arms, toss it into the bottom of my bag, surf consistently, it's been indestructible for me so far. Super nice to know what time it is out on the water. And if i break it... 12 bucks and I get a new one.