SwimFit SwimFast with MastersSwimPT
MastersSwimPT, created by Dawn Kissack, is a land based training service tailored for Masters Swimmers to improve performance in the pool Dawn holds a Level 4 Transformation Personal Trainer Diploma (one of the elite 1% of fitness professionals) from The Health & Fitness Institute (CIMPSA) MastersSwimPT provides live online classes in small groups led by Dawn with a variety of strength and conditioning exercises. Serious but enjoyable
SwimFit SwimFast with MastersSwimPT
UNLOCK YOUR POTENTIAL We help Masters Swimmers swim faster, grow stronger and race with confidence through world class coaching and mentoring. More than a swim coach, we give you expert coaching, strength and conditioning, performance nutrition and mind-set mentoring.
Dawn Kissack
Founder MastersSwimPT
- ABOUT
What we do
Masters Swim PT is an online personal training system designed for Masters Swimmers by Dawn Kissack, a former Masters World Champion and Masters World record holder.
Dawn is a level 2 Swim Coach and a level 3 Personal Trainer.
How we help:
- Strength & Conditioning programmes – online resistance training designed to develop strength, power, mobility and injury resilience
- Video analysis – ways to improve swimming performance
- Nutrition to support performance athletes (food diary analysis, meal planning, weekly check-ins)
- Rest & Recovery – tips for mind and body
- Menopause –supporting swimmers through the physiological and psychological challenges
- Swim sets – intelligent training and everything for a reason
- Gym programmes -customised for your needs
- Positivity and mindset – race with confidence
- Race ready – understanding that it’s a process
- Goal setting – continue to improve with age
Our Principles
Good technique is key but that aside, I follow four guiding principles to achieve full potential. The secret is introducing them into a workable training programme that suits you. If you are serious about being the best swimmer you can be, I’ll help.
Consistency
Consistency is not simply about repetition, it’s about doing something really well in training (pool or land) time after time. Only through embedding consistent excellence in your training programme will you improve. Patience and perseverance are part and parcel of consistency. New training methods and techniques take time to get used to, but consistency in training makes for predictable performances. This builds confidence, knowing no matter what happens you have it in the bag!
Commitment
Commitment means going training when you don’t really feel like it, it’s about doggedly sticking to the plan in the knowledge it will pay off. During the Covid pandemic I learnt a valuable lesson about the value of commitment. During lockdown, I maintained a land-based resistance programme (often in my garden) and after months out of the pool I felt as fit and fast in the water as I’d ever been. Commitment is also about being invested in the other important aspects of performance – nutrition, rest, recovery, and sleep.
Quality
As both swimmer and coach one of my mantras has always been “quality not quantity”. Swimming fast in training is key, whether you are a sprinter or a middle-distance competitor. As my old coach used to say, ‘if you don’t swim fast in training it ain’t going to happen in a race’. I believe the land based resistance programme I have developed and adopted into my own training has been fundamental to my ability to keep swimming ‘fast’. Everything we do in training must be directly related to performance improvement with a focus on strengthening our weak spots. Let me help you work on your weak spot so that it becomes a strength.
Mindset
Over the years I’ve listened to a lot of swimmers tell their story and what stands out is how passionate swimmers are about the sport. However, life can be unpredictable with work / family / health commitments getting in the way. How can you regain / maintain that passion for the sport? In over two decades of competition as a masters swimmer I’ve loved nearly every minute of training but nerves have on occasion thwarted my success when competing. By adopting a positive mindset I’ve learned to conquer my nerves, harnessing them to perform well when it matters.
About me
I came to personal training a little differently than most. After a career in nursing and university lecturing (MSc.Ed), I finally had the time to focus on my own swimming and quickly realised that staying fast in the water meant getting stronger and improving my mobility.
While there are plenty of great personal trainers out there, very few truly understand the needs of Masters swimmers. So I decided to qualify as a Level 3 Personal Trainer, studying physiology, wellbeing and nutrition, to better support both myself and other swimmers who want to keep improving as they age. I believe the optimal performance comes from combining excellent technique, intelligent training, physical strength, sound nutrition and a strong mindset. By bringing all these elements together I offer a complete coaching and mentoring expereince.
My own results show what’s possible with the right approach.
In 2003, I set a British Masters record in the 50m freestyle (40–44 age group) with a time of 28.60. Twenty-one years later, in October 2024, I broke the European Masters record in the same event with a 28.70—just 0.1 seconds slower and then in December 2025 in the European Championship in Poland I improved this yet again to 28.69.
That consistency hasn’t happened by chance. It has come from a combination of creative swim sets, targeted strength and conditioning, and a strong focus on nutrition, recovery and a positive mindset.
I now help other Masters swimmers do the same—so they can stay strong, swim faster, and keep enjoying their sport for years to come.
I was World Champion in 2023 (Japan), I have held 5 individual European records and 9 British Records.
I also have held a World record, 5 European records and 10 British records in team events (relays).
| Year | Event | Event | Time | Age Group | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | BR | 50m Freestyle | 28.60 S/C | 40–44 yrs | Sheffield |
| 2018 | ER | 50m Freestyle | 29.37 L/C | 55–59 yrs | European Championships Kranj, Slovenia |
| 2023 | ER | 50m Freestyle | 29.23 S/C | 60–64 yrs | Aberdeen |
| 2023 | ER | 50m Freestyle | 28.88 S/C | 60–64 yrs | Glasgow |
| 2023 | ER | 50m Freestyle | 29.29 L/C | 60–64 yrs | Sheffield |
| 2023 | CR | 50m Freestyle | 29.39 L/C | 60–64 yrs | World Championships Fukuoka, Japan |
| 2023 | CR | 50m Fly | 32.62 L/C | 60–64 yrs | World Championships Fukuoka, Japan |
| 2024 | CR | 50m Freestyle | 30.09 L/C | 60–64 yrs | European Championships Belgrade, Serbia |
| 2024 | BR | 4x50 mixed Free | 1:56.82 L/C | 240-279 yrs | AP meet, Sunderland |
| 2024 | ER | 4x50m Mixed Freestyle | 1:55.64 L/C | 240–279 yrs | Swansea |
| 2024 | ER | 4x50m Mixed Freestyle | 1:55.57 L/C | 240–279 yrs | European Championships Belgrade, Serbia |
| 2024 | ER | 50m Freestyle | 28.70 S/C | 60–64 yrs | Sheffield |
| 2024 | WR | 4x50m Mixed Freestyle | 1:52.06 S/C | 240–279 yrs | Sheffield |
| 2025 | BR | 50m Free | 29.32 L/C | 60–64 yrs | British Championships, London |
| 2025 | BR | 4x50m Mixed Freestyle | 1:52.06 L/C | 240–279 yrs | Nationals, Sheffield |
| 2025 | ER | 50m Mixed Medley | 1.56.82 L/C | 200–239 yrs | Nationals, Sheffield |
| 2025 | BR | 4x50m Women's Freestyle | 2.04.81 L/C | 240-279 yrs | Nationals, Sheffield |
Personal training
- Post Subscription there will be a 30 minute induction call with Dawn to evaluate your general health and conditioning aims
- 2 Live Online Sessions Per Week
- By subscribing you accept our terms of service (below)
121 Consultation
- Nutritional support
- Goal Setting
- Positive mindset
- Swim Training
- Bespoke PT Gym-Based Programmes
- Rest, Recovery & Relaxation
- BENEFITS
Resistance Training
- Counteracts age related muscle loss
- Improves joint and bone health
- Improves strength and stamina
- Enhances functional movement
- Reduces risk of heart disease and diabetes
- Aids balance and co-ordination
- Improves swimming performance
- Effective for long term weight control
- Boosts brain health
- Helps injury resilience
- TESTIMONIALS
Testimonials
“Our mixed relay team has been having weekly on-line PT sessions with Dawn to improve our core strength and flexibility.
Her sessions are tailored to swimming and she is excellent at encouraging us. It worked as we broke the 4×50 freestyle World Record”.
Jonathan Saunders
City of Sheffield Swim Squad
“I am strong in the cycling and running elements but weaker in the swimming. Dawn recommended that I build upper body strength and designed an exercise regime for me. Six months later I am stronger and my swimming times are much quicker. Dawn’s advice on nutrition has been invaluable too”.
Dave Sullivan
Masters Triathlete
“I had recently recovered from major surgery and asked Dawn for help in ways to make me feel generally better. My relationship with food has always been unconventional but with Dawn’s expert guidance, support and a personalised approach tailored to my food likes and dislikes she has helped me develop sustainable eating habits. I’m now on a completely different pathway.
I particularly appreciated the practical menu planning strategies which have made cooking and eating enjoyable.
As an athlete I am thrilled to find that eating a more balanced diet and ditching the grazing habits has not only supported my weight goals but has also helped me build muscle and strength in training. I feel a great deal less tired and feel I’m ready to race faster.
I am extremely grateful for Dawn’s professionalism and dedication”.
Cate Jackson
Holder of Multiple Masters European and British Records.
“Dawn is an inspirational swimmer and coach.
A natural communicator with a wealth of experience and wisdom, Dawn brings positivity to everything she does. She works the swimmers hard in and out of the water but always makes it fun”.
Linda Oliphant
Head Coach, Carnoustie Claymores
- CONTACT US
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