New Year's Resolutions for Athletes: Get Back on Track

It’s January, and swimmers and athletes are setting their New Year’s resolutions. Whether it's improving freestyle technique, adding dryland training, or fueling your body better, setting clear, specific goals is key. Sticking to a resolution can be tough, but it’s never too late to reset and refocus. Learn how to avoid common pitfalls, build day-to-day habits, and make this year your strongest yet. Need support? Let me, Dan Daly, help you stay on track with personalized coaching and expert advice.

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Exercise: A Modern Panacea

Exercise is often regarded as a modern panacea, offering extensive health benefits that span both physical and mental well-being. According to experts like Harvard’s Frank Hu, exercise is nearly a "magic bullet" for preventing and managing a wide range of conditions, including heart disease, diabetes, depression, and various cancers. Regular, moderate exercise enhances cardiovascular health, boosts metabolism, improves mood through endorphins, and increases overall quality of life. Whether you're aiming to prevent illness or manage existing health issues, incorporating exercise into your routine is a powerful tool for achieving optimal health.

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Best Home Exercise Equipment - Starter Pack

Best Home Exercise Equipment - Starter Pack

Whether you’re a coach, a client, or workout enthusiast, for many of us, the gyms are closed, and we’re stuck at home. Limited space and equipment access may leave you wondering how you can continue to stay in shape in a challenging and productive way that’s aligned with your goals. Keep reading for my 5 favorite home training products, and ways you can modify the same exercises you typically do in the gym, at home or outside, with a coach, or on your own.

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Stable Endurance Training

Stable Endurance Training

The Bunkie test is a functional endurance test to help identify functional stability, endurance, and control through some of the common fascial lines. It’s a series of 5 exercises, performed bilaterally (both sides). Its a simple test for identifying weak links in your ability to efficiency coordinate multiple muscles linked in a kinetic chain associated with particular movement patterns, and can help you identify weak links and patterns to program more specifically for your needs.

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Mobility Training for Swimmers

Mobility Training for Swimmers

Mobility first! Before you can stabilize, load, and perform you must have the freedom to move. Learn the keys to assessing what needs to be addressed, how to improve, and enhance your trining. “The Big Three”, ankles, hips, and shoulders, are the most mobile joints in the body. Identify any deficits, and move on from areas that meet a functional standard. Remember, mobility and stretching do not make you fit, but can inhibit your ability to get fit and perform if they do not have their functional range of motion. Test, intervene, rest. Once you move well, go train!

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How to Strengthen Your Lower Back: Best Core and Back Exercises That Work

How to Strengthen Your Lower Back: Best Core and Back Exercises That Work

Lower back pain is a common issue that affects athletes and fitness enthusiasts alike. In this guide, Coach Dan Daly shares expert advice on building a strong and resilient back. Learn the best exercises for lower back and core strength, including marching bridges, single leg hyperextensions, and dynamic planks. Designed for swimmers and endurance athletes, these workouts help improve performance, reduce injury risk, and enhance overall stability. Start your journey to a healthier, pain-free back today with these proven techniques. Read article.

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The Gym in Your Hand: Kettlebell Training Made Simple

The Gym in Your Hand: Kettlebell Training Made Simple

Kettlebells are the ultimate gym in your hand, offering efficient and versatile workouts for athletes. This guide explores the benefits of kettlebell training, from mobility and strength to power development. Learn how to design effective full-body routines and why kettlebells are essential for swimmers and triathletes aiming to boost performance. Read the full article.

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Improve Your Swimming on Land with the Vasa Trainer

Improve Your Swimming on Land with the Vasa Trainer

With pools and open-water options still limited, now is the perfect time to focus on dryland swim training. The Vasa Trainer has been a key tool in my swim training and that of my clients for years. This swim-specific strength equipment allows swimmers to develop technique, strength, and endurance outside of the water. Perfect for isolating upper body movements and swim drills, it’s ideal for athletes at any level. Ready to level up your swim training at home? Check out my Vasa Trainer workouts and use code “DALY5” for 5% off your own trainer. Read on for more details!

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