What Muscles Does Swimming Work?

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What Muscles Does Swimming Work?

Swimming isn’t just cardio—it’s one of the most effective full-body workouts you can do. Every stroke activates major muscle groups across your shoulders, core, and legs, building strength, power, and endurance without the joint strain of land-based training.

In this full-body breakdown, Coach Dan Daly explains exactly what muscles swimming works—stroke by stroke—and how to train them both in and out of the pool. From lats and deltoids to glutes and core stabilizers, you’ll learn how to strengthen the key movers that drive faster, more efficient swimming.

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Swim Headphones in Training: A Coach’s Perspective

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Swim Headphones in Training: A Coach’s Perspective

Swim headphones are becoming more popular among competitive and fitness swimmers, from Shokz OpenSwim to Zygo systems with coach-to-swimmer audio. But do these tools actually improve your training? After testing them myself, I’ve found that while waterproof headphones can add rhythm and even real-time cues, nothing replaces clear, timely feedback. Here’s my perspective as a coach – and why video swim technique analysis remains the best way to create lasting improvements in your stroke.

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Individual Medley Swimming: Stroke Order, Turns, and Training Tips

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Individual Medley Swimming: Stroke Order, Turns, and Training Tips

The individual medley (IM) is one of swimming’s toughest and most rewarding events. Unlike single-stroke races, medley swimming tests your mastery across butterfly, backstroke, breaststroke, and freestyle — plus the precision of three transitions. In this article, I break down the official individual medley order, explain how it differs from the medley relay order, and share coaching tips for smoother turns and smarter training. Whether you’re chasing your next PR or curious about the 200m individual medley world record, you’ll learn how to build complete swimming performance and race the IM with more confidence.

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What Is a Flutter Kick? Technique, Muscles Worked, and Benefits

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What Is a Flutter Kick? Technique, Muscles Worked, and Benefits

The flutter kick looks simple, but mastering it can transform your swimming. Done correctly, it lifts your hips, reduces drag, and adds real propulsion to your stroke. Out of the pool, the same motion builds stronger abs and hip stability. In this guide, I’ll walk you through proper flutter kick form, muscles worked, and key drills to make your kick more efficient – whether you’re chasing faster race times or a stronger core.

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Closing Out the Season: Winning the French Creek Racing Fall SwimFest 5k at Hopewell Lake

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Closing Out the Season: Winning the French Creek Racing Fall SwimFest 5k at Hopewell Lake

Coach Dan Daly closes out his 2025 open water season with a first-place finish at the French Creek Racing Fall SwimFest 5K at Hopewell Lake. In this recap, he shares what makes Hopewell Lake swimming such a special experience — from the calm, scenic waters to the strong community behind French Creek Racing. Learn about the race conditions, key takeaways from the season, and how Dan is transitioning from open water endurance to pool speed training this winter.

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Dryland Swim Cords: The Best Stretch Cord Workouts for Swimmers

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Dryland Swim Cords: The Best Stretch Cord Workouts for Swimmers

Dryland swim cords are one of the most effective tools for building swimming strength and refining technique outside the pool. In this guide, I share my top cord drills for freestyle and butterfly, complete with videos to follow along. You’ll learn how to set up cords properly, avoid common mistakes, and use them to reinforce your stroke mechanics. Whether you’re a beginner or a competitive swimmer, these workouts will make your time in the water more efficient.

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Manhattan Island Marathon Swim: My 7 Hour 35 Minute Journey

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Manhattan Island Marathon Swim: My 7 Hour 35 Minute Journey

On September 10, 2025, I completed my solo Manhattan Island Marathon Swim, covering the 28.5-mile current assisted marathon swim distance in 7 hours and 35 minutes. After years of coaching and crewing this event, I finally took on the challenge myself. From the fast chop of the East River to the long Harlem and the powerful Hudson, the day was a test of rhythm, patience, and resilience — the true essence of marathon swimming.

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How to Do Medicine Ball Slams: 5 Explosive Exercises for Swimmers

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How to Do Medicine Ball Slams: 5 Explosive Exercises for Swimmers

Medicine ball slams are one of the simplest and most effective ways to build explosive power, core stability, and coordination — all essential for faster swimming. Whether you’re training for Freestyle, Butterfly, or IM, these full-body movements strengthen your lats, shoulders, and hips to improve the connection between land and water performance. In this article, I’ll break down the key benefits, variations, and proper form for medicine ball slams, plus show you how to integrate them into your dryland routine for stronger, more efficient strokes.

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Best Core Workouts for Swimmers: Build a Stronger, Faster Body in and out of the Pool

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Best Core Workouts for Swimmers: Build a Stronger, Faster Body in and out of the Pool

Strong swimmers are built from the core out. If you're looking to improve your streamline, power through your turns, and maintain stroke efficiency when fatigue hits, this article is for you. Learn why swimming alone isn’t enough to build true core strength — and discover a proven training plan combining dryland, water-based drills, and smart video-based techniques to take your performance to the next level. Whether you're a competitive swimmer, coach, or parent, it’s time to get serious about core training.

→ Read the full guide and upgrade your core game.

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