Holiday Gift Guide: Best Gifts for Swimmers
/Looking for the perfect gift for the swimmer in your life? I am grateful to work with these companies, and could not coach or train the way I do without them. Read why these four brands and products are indispensable in my training, and take advantage of some exclusive discounts as part of the Train Daly community. Happy Holidays!
Vasa Trainer played a big part in my dryland program in high school, as an aspiring collegiate athlete. For over 30 years, they have been helping aquatic athletes train smarter and perform better with their line of products that fit a variety of training goals and budgets. I am proud to continue to work with them into my professional coaching and masters swimming career, training with their products, and creating the best content and training programs. Gifts for swimmers from Vasa Trainer are perfect for improving swim performance both in and out of the water.
Swim Ergometer: The Ultimate Gift for Swimmers
The Vasa Ergometer is the ultimate dryland conditioning tool. It’s my favorite training tool for improving stroke power. The power meter provides objective feedback on stroke power, setting baselines with test sets, and monitoring left to right asymmetries. It creates accountability as fatigue sets in, providing instant feedback on progress, stroke for stroke, with great carryover to the water. This makes it one of the best gifts for swimmers who want to stay in top shape year-round.
Vasa Trainer
As a young swimmer, I cut my teeth with the Vasa Trainer Pro. It’s a total body training tool for developing swim-specific endurance, strength, and power, head to toe. In addition to stroke technique and conditioning, it can be used to perform an endless amount of traditional pushing, pulling, and lower body squatting patterns. It literally replaced my commercial gym and pool in 2020, and I could not have trained without it. If you're looking for the perfect swimmer gifts, this versatile training tool is unmatched. It's one of the best gifts for a swimmer who wants to improve endurance and power.
I do not go anywhere without a pair of bands in my gym bag. Dryland cords with hand paddles are the easiest way to teach and reinforce technique on land, then hop right back in the water and apply it. They can be anchored to any door or pool ladder, making them good gifts for swimmers for on-deck dryland technique and muscular endurance work.
Save 10% OFF all Vasa Trainer products from the Ergometer, Trainer Pro, or Dryland bands with code DALYTEN at checkout.
The Magic5 Custom Goggles
A historically low-tech sport is slowly solving decades-old pain points, starting with goggles. Gone are the days of leaky, foggy, dry-rotted goggles, and rings around your eyes. Toss your old swedes and vanquishers, and check out The Magic5. The Magic 5 uses facial scanning technology through your mobile device to custom fit the gaskets and nose bridge specific to your face. Their first-class comfortable fit also comes with first-class materials that do not fog, rot, or fall off. If you're searching for unique gifts for swimmers, these goggles are a must-have.
Get 20% OFF goggles and other training equipment with the checkout code DALY20, and never look back! This makes it one of the cool gifts for swimmers this holiday season.
Phlex Swim Tracking
Phlex Swim is an incredible tool for swimmers, seamlessly integrating with the Polar sensor or Apple Watch to track detailed metrics like stroke rate, pace, and heart rate. It allows swimmers to make data-driven improvements in technique and performance. Phlex helps optimize swim workouts by delivering actionable insights on efficiency, endurance, and training load.
As a coach, I use Phlex Swim to analyze and guide training sessions, tailoring programs to each swimmer’s unique needs. Its compatibility with the Polar Verity sensor (included) or your Apple Watch makes tracking seamless, whether you’re in the pool or competing in the Virtual Swim League. Train smarter and achieve your goals faster by joining me in the league.
Plus, you can get 10% off Phlex Swim products with code DALYFAN - upgrade your training today!
Swimming Equipment
I use FINIS swim equipment in my training because their innovative gear is designed to enhance technique, efficiency, and overall performance in the water. From snorkels that help focus on body alignment to paddles that refine stroke mechanics, FINIS products are essential for building better habits and addressing specific weaknesses. Incorporating their tools not only adds variety to training sessions but also helps swimmers develop a stronger connection to the water. As a coach and athlete, having reliable, purpose-driven equipment makes all the difference in elevating skills and achieving results.
Enjoy 25% your Finish Equipment this season with the checkout code DALY25!
Chirp Foam Rolling and Recovery
The Chirp RPM (Recovery and Pain Management) tool is a game-changer for swimmers looking to enhance mobility, relieve tension, and improve recovery. Designed to target sore muscles and improve flexibility, it’s perfect for tackling post-swim stiffness or preparing for peak performance. Compact and versatile, the RPM makes an excellent holiday gift for the swimmer in your life—or yourself! Use my code COACHDAN at checkout for 10% off and give the gift of recovery this season.
Air Relax Recovery Boots
The best gear and training is only as good as the recovery. The best athletes know that adaptation from training stress occurs between workouts, with a smart sleep, nutrition, and recovery program. If you are already maximizing your sleep and nutrition strategies, it’s time to focus on some additional methods you can use to accelerate recovery between workouts and increase training intensity.
Pneumatic compression devices, like Air Relax Recovery Boots, have been shown to decrease perceived soreness between workouts, particularly upper body compression, which is essential for upper body-dominant sports like swimming. They improve blood lactate clearing after particularly grueling anaerobic conditioning sets. Compression also combats physiological stressors associated with travel, important for athletes who may travel to events and sit for prolonged periods.
I have been using Air Relax compression boots for the last three years. It’s a relaxing way to finish a hard day of work and training, boosting a diminished ability to recover as I age and continue to train and compete. I appreciate their competitive pricing in the space, outselling all other brands, with industry-leading quality and durability. They are an FDA-approved medical device, providing twice the pressure of comparable devices. If you are in the market for swim gifts that aid recovery, check out Air Relax .
Investigating the Use of an Intermittent Sequential Pneumatic Compression Arm Sleeve for Recovery After Upper-Body Exercise
Cranston, Adam W.1; Driller, Matthew W.1,2
Acute Effects of Peristaltic Pneumatic Compression on Repeated Anaerobic Exercise Performance and Blood Lactate Clearance
Martin, Jeffrey S.; Friedenreich, Zachary D.; Borges, Alexandra R.; Roberts, Michael D.
Effects of Sports Compression Socks on Performance, Physiological, and Hematological Alterations After Long-Haul Air Travel in Elite Female Volleyballers
Broatch, James R.1,2; Bishop, David J.1,3; Zadow, Emma K.4; Halson, Shona2,5