TRX® has announced a sponsorship agreement with world champion and Olympic swimming gold medalist Natalie Coughlin. The most decorated swimmer in world championship history, Coughlin is hoping to make the record books this summer by becoming the most successful U.S. female Olympian and the most awarded female swimmer of all time. Coughlin is training with her TRX® Suspension Trainer™ as a critical piece of her dry-land training as she rigorously prepares herself for key Grand Prix meets this spring and the 2012 London Games this summer.
After winning more medals than any other female athlete at the 2004 Athens Games and the 2008 Beijing Games, Coughlin made her mark both in the swimming community and around the globe as one of the greatest female athletes ever. Coughlin is the first American female athlete in the modern Olympic era to win six medals in a single Olympic Game and the only female swimmer in history to win consecutive gold medals in the 100-meter backstroke. Coughlin’s success has earned her a World Swimmer of the Year Award and the American Swimmer of the Year Award three times. She has won a total of 48 medals in major international competition — 21 gold, 17 silver and 10 bronze — spanning the Olympics, the World and the Pan Pacific Championships.
“Healthy living and fitness are an important part of my life and the TRX has become one of my fitness staples,” said Coughlin. “I really love using the TRX Suspension Trainer because of the core workout I get from it. A strong core is important for me because any time that I can connect my arms to my legs via my core, I’m improving my swimming, which ultimately helps me perform better during competitions.”
A health and fitness enthusiast outside of the pool, Coughlin integrates TRX into her workouts because of the versatility it offers. Whether on the road for swim meets, Sports Illustrated photo shoots or a Dancing with the Stars appearance, Coughlin has been known to take her TRX with her in order to get in a quick workout even without a gym. Coughlin also incorporates TRX into her strength training routine at home, using TRX three to four times per week to specifically strengthen her core, hip and shoulder stabilizers.
“TRX is proud to support Natalie’s training needs and her goal of becoming one of the most decorated swimmers ever,” said Randy Hetrick, the founder and CEO of TRX. “Natalie doesn’t just train for her sport, but for active and healthy lifestyles as well. We’re excited to watch her compete this summer.”
Suspension Training is ideal for developing functional strength and endurance, important traits for success in the pool. TRX training also increases an athlete’s durability and guards against injury by building joint stability, core strength, balance and flexibility.
