Our mission is to be the global leader in the coaching and athletic development of swimmers.
We do that by ensuring our programs are:
- Athlete-centered
- Coach-driven
- Administratively-supported
Our community fosters lifetime learning through deep and meaningful relationships. We’re more than just a business; we’re a dedicated community of coaches and practitioners fully committed to developing international podium-quality athletes.
But what does that mean for you?
It means you’re joining a group that consistently shares and challenges ideas to bring positive change to the sport of swimming. You’ll experience a continuous evolution of techniques, practices, and support to keep you ahead of the curve.
Imagine being part of a team with the power to continue learning and growing, where mediocrity is unacceptable. Imagine entering each competition with the confidence that you’ve been trained by the best and you’re supported by a network that believes in the potential of you and your athletes.
This hasn’t happened overnight…
2007
GAIN Founded
Vern Gambetta establishes the Gambetta Athletic Improvement Network (GAIN), laying the groundwork for a new approach to athletic development.
2008
GAIN I
The first-ever GAIN conference takes place in Florida, bringing together coaches and experts to share groundbreaking insights in athletic training.
2009
GAIN & CSC
GAIN begins consulting with the Carmel Swim Club in Carmel, IN, introducing the concept of a fully integrated swimming and dryland program spanning from ages “8 to 18″.
2016
GAINswim I
Inspired by the success of the GAIN Annual Conference at Rice University, the first GAINswim Summit is launched, attracting swimming coaches from across the country eager to learn from the best.
2018
6-Year Reign
From 2013 to 2018, GAINswim programs achieved unmatched success in coaching and dryland training. At Junior Champ Meets, GAINswim athletes racked up 34 podium finishes across men’s, women’s, and combined events, set 28 meet records, won 27 relay titles, and claimed 47 individual event titles.
2024
The Air is Rare
From 2018 to 2024, GAINswim expanded into online education with its first online Master Class, paving the way for coach-driven learning. In 2021, GAINswim celebrated its first homegrown Olympic medalist, and 11 members of the U.S. Olympic team had ties to the program. By 2024, nearly one-third of the U.S. Olympic team had connections to GAINswim, including the rise of Summer McIntosh, the world’s top female swimmer and three-time Olympic gold medalist. All three women on the 400IM podium at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris were influenced or trained by GAINswim.
Meet Chris Webb: Director of GAINswim
The G in GAINswim
Vern Gambetta’s journey in the world of sports has made him one of the most influential figures in modern athletic training, earning him the title “Father of Functional Training.”
His revolutionary approach to athlete development didn’t follow the traditional path of focusing on isolated strength or machine-based training. Instead, Vern saw the bigger picture—athletes need to train as they play. This vision led him to develop functional training: a methodology focused on enhancing how athletes move, not just how strong they are. His approach utilized the specific movements and demands of each sport, making training more relevant and effective.
In 2007, Vern founded the Gambetta Athletic Improvement Network (GAIN), a community of coaches, trainers, and sports scientists committed to optimizing performance through education and collaboration. GAIN quickly became a hub for innovation in athletic training, where ideas were exchanged, and cutting-edge techniques were developed. Vern’s vision was to create a space where sports performance was approached as both an art and a science, and where lifelong learning was encouraged.
Network Highlights
- 8 to 18
- College
- Custom programming
Coaches Education Community
- Mighty Networks Platform
- GAINswim.mn.co
- Connect with your community
- Interactive Desktop and Mobile Content
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- Posts, Videos, Articles, and more
- Live weekly events
- Monthly Themes for Coaches
- Take quizzes & earn badges.
- Wisdom passed on
- The G in GAIN’s special section
Coaches Clinics
- In-person Learning From the Best in the Dryland Business and the Pool Deck
- Learn by doing
- Interactive mobile app for clinicians
- All age groups and ability levels covered
- Register HERE
