Why Outsourcing Your Swim Team’s Dryland Program May Not Be the Best Move
By Brad Jones
In recent years, many swim teams have been tempted by remote, app-based dryland and strength training programs. These companies promise cutting-edge programming, convenience, and performance gains, all delivered from afar. While these programs may look appealing on the surface, outsourcing your team’s dryland training is not necessarily the best choice, and in many cases, it can be a step backward.
The reality is simple: the most effective dryland programs are built and delivered in person, by someone who knows the athletes, understands the sport, and is present every day.
The Value of an In-Person Coach Can’t Be Replaced
Dryland training is not just about exercises on a spreadsheet. It’s about teaching movement, building athleticism, and developing trust. Having a local dryland or strength coach who works with swimmers in person every day creates immediate and lasting benefits.
An in-person coach:
- Builds real relationships with swimmers over time
- Becomes another trusted adult and coach in the athletes’ daily environment
- Reinforces accountability, effort, and consistency
Swimmers benefit enormously from having more than just their primary swim coach invested in their development. A strong coach-athlete relationship on land often translates into better focus, confidence, and buy-in in the water.
Technique, Safety, and Real-Time Feedback Matter
Dryland training done incorrectly is not just ineffective, it can be dangerous. One of the biggest limitations of remote or app-based programs is the complete lack of daily supervision.
An in-person coach can:
- Ensure movements are performed correctly and safely
- Cue proper mechanics in real time
- Regress or progress exercises instantly based on what they see
No video demo or app notification can replace a coach standing in the room correcting a squat, adjusting a pull-up progression, or recognizing when fatigue is affecting form.
Reading the Room Is a Coaching Skill
Courtesy: Brad Jones
One of the most underrated aspects of great coaching is the ability to “read the room.” Swimmers are not robots, and they don’t show up feeling the same every day.
An in-person coach can:
- Adjust intensity based on fatigue, stress, or soreness
- Modify workouts when the team is coming off a tough swim practice or competition
- Push when it’s appropriate and pull back when it’s needed
Remote programs, no matter how well designed, are static. They cannot adapt to the emotional, physical, or mental state of a group in real time. Great dryland training is responsive, not rigid.
Remote Programs Are Expensive—and Less Personal
Many app-based or outsourced dryland programs come with significant costs. Despite the price tag, they will never be as individualized as working with a coach who sees your swimmers daily.
A local coach can:
- Learn each athlete’s strengths, weaknesses, and injury history
- Understand different age groups and training backgrounds
- Tailor progressions for individuals rather than forcing everyone into the same template
Personalization is not about fancy dashboards or data points—it’s about knowing the athlete.
Collaboration With the Swim Coach Is Critical
Dryland training should support what’s happening in the pool, not exist in a vacuum. A local strength coach has the unique advantage of being able to collaborate directly with the swim coach.
When a dryland coach can:
- Spend time on deck watching practices
- Understand what details each swimmer is working on in the pool.
- Communicate daily with the swim staff
…the result is a far more integrated and effective program. This level of collaboration is nearly impossible when the dryland coach is hundreds or thousands of miles away.
Building Athletes First Creates Better Swimmers
The best swimmers are almost always the best athletes. Speed, power, coordination, and body awareness matter, especially as swimmers mature.
Developing athleticism that complements swim training is best done:
- In person
- With consistent feedback
- With an understanding of the season, the athlete, and the team culture
Dryland training isn’t just about “swimmer-specific” exercises; it’s about creating adaptable, resilient athletes who can move well and handle training demands.
Red Flags to Watch For in Remote Dryland Programs
Not all remote programs are bad, but there are clear warning signs that should raise concerns:
- Dryland coaches taking credit for performance improvements that come primarily from swim training
- Organizations that create or promote “swim records” for clubs or individuals who pay for their program
- Programs driven more by social media presence than by coaching substance
- One-size-fits-all programming marketed as “elite” or “proven” without real context
If a program prioritizes branding, metrics, or recognition over athletes and relationships, it’s worth asking hard questions.
The Bottom Line
Dryland training is a powerful tool, but only when it’s delivered well. Having a local, in-person dryland or strength coach who works with swimmers every day provides unmatched value. From safety and technique to relationship-building and real-time adaptability, the benefits are clear.
Technology can support coaching, but it should never replace it.
When it comes to developing strong, fast, and resilient swimmers, nothing beats a coach in the room—watching, teaching, adjusting, and caring every single day.
Brad Jones is the Head Strength Coach and an Assistant Coach with the Bellingham Bay Swim Team.
