Overall: 20/10 The highest review I've ever given a business. Dominic Latella works miracles for swimmers! I took his "treading water" clinic and in 10 minutes, I was treading water effortlessly; something I've struggled doing for years and even after taking numerous lessons with private instructors (not affiliated with SwimBox). He's taught for 22+ years! and it shows. He simply knows how to coach all the minute details in swimming mechanics. I've always 'm someone with a high muscle to fat ratio and have ALWAYS sank like a rock. He taught me 3 styles to use my hands to tread and 4 styles using my feet. He demonstrated things in the water (such as corkscrews) that I've never seen/heard of before. He's very friendly and personable as well. I've taken the swim analysis and it was super helpful/beneficial. Looking forward to signing up for more classes! Highly recommend! read more

Another attempt at learning to tread water. Another rip off. My single goal was to learn to be able to jump into deep water and to swim back with my head above water. Basically, vacation-style swimming where you jump off a boat, tread for a bit, and swim back to the boat. I asked if I could learn this at SwimBox. I was told I could. If they don't teach this, they should have said so. Instead, I took 10 classes and was never taught either of these things. The instructor, as usual, wasted time in the beginning treating me like I'm afraid of water. I can already swim underwater and on my back (not expertly, of course). Instructors should start off with new swimmers by allowing them to show what they can already do vs. starting them with blowing bubbles and floating. At SwimBox, they have no incentive to move you along quickly since dragging out the lessons equals more classes, which equals more money for them. I gave the instructor the benefit of the doubt that she was teaching me some basic things I needed to know. However, as the classes went along, I noticed we were headed towards what I feared -- teaching me freestyle swimming and perfecting my form. This IS NOT what I asked to learn! I don't plan to swim laps or join the Olympics. When I clarified again that I wanted to learn to swim with my head above water, she dismissed that type of swimming as not real swimming. Well, that's how people swim socially and that's what I asked, upfront, to learn. Finally, I was lied to when I was told we would work on treading water, which is the MAIN THING that I wanted to learn. The pools are, obviously, not deep, but I was duped into believing I would still be taught. Each time I take swim lessons, they teach what they want to teach. I will just have to get a friend to teach me because formal instructors are apparently hard wired to teach every new swimmer freestyle. I wasted my money. read more

The instructors are friendly, first-rate, and very focused. It took time, but I made a lot of progress with freestyle and really feel comfortable with freestyle for hundreds of yards for the first time in my life. At first I thought the box would not be as good as a pool but once you get used to it, the box is better. They can see everything you are doing. Very pleased. read more

This review is divided into two distinct sections. First, the instructor: If I could give Ryan 10 stars, I would. He is patient and nuanced and takes the time to go through instruction in a clear manner. As an adult learner, he learned how I learn and was terrific. I would be happy to recommend him to anyone. Next, the administration at SwimBox gets a 1 star. They are not friendly and they don't seem to understand customer service. I ended up sick before a swim lesson. The second I woke up (with about 6 hours advanced notice) and realized I didn't feel well, I texted them to tell them I was unwell, was going to test for COVID and could I reschedule. They told me that I would be charged something like $65 if I didn't show up. Yes, that is a stated policy on their website, but they cared more about the money then about the health and safety of their patrons. So, in order to avoid the charge, I went to the lesson sick. The person that I was texting with didn't even bother to respond to my last text. I was very put off by this. So, if you sign up with them, ask for Ryan and just don't get sick or have any sort of emergency and you will be fine. read more

As an adult learning to swim, I did not have a good experience and it was a waste of money. The classes are very expensive at $100/session. I had 3 teachers over 5 sessions so the learning program was not cohesive. It was hard to book teachers. Swimming in a box is also quite difficult for a beginner as the water current sways you sideways. I learned a lot more at the Rec center for more than half the price. I regret coming here. read more

I love this place. The instructors are personable, patient and understanding. They take the time to work through any fears you may have about being in the water. I tried group swimming lessons in the past, but ended up feeling really discouraged by the end of it. I had my first lesson yesterday -- and I had a blast. Yesterday was the first time that I feel safe & confident while having my head completely submerged under water. I NEVER thought I could achieve that feeling in my life. I am so glad that I decided to give SwimBox a try. I almost canceled my appointment because I was so nervous lol Watch me become a pro by the end of the summer. #Obsessed read more

As an "adult learner" I have taken group swim lessons in the past with little success. Learning to swim later in life is not only about the mechanics of swimming but also about gaining a sense of comfort with the water and your relationship with it. Learning to swim is also about having an instructor that instills trust and encouragement. I am taking lessons with Lissa and she not only has vast experience as a swimmer, she also has the ability to convene swimming techniques to a novice. The SwimBox model is unique in that you have real time feedback; you practice a technicque and then watch via large screen tv. You can see in "real time" what you did and the instructor can then comment and correct (if needed). It's exactly what I was looking for. The facility is spacious, clean and very comfortable. Highly recommend !! read more

I seriously think each city should have a SwimBox! We live in Houston and we don't have one down here. We've used SwimBox while we were in the DC area this summer and Coach Daniel was extremely helpful to help my son improve on his freestyle and butterfly strokes. We had 8 sessions with him and it's been so worth our time and money!! This last meet, my son dropped 8 seconds on his butterfly and 6 seconds on his freestyle! SwimBox made all the difference!! How I wish I had known about them earlier so my son would've had more time to get helped on his back and breast strokes!! They need to seriously open up a franchise down here!! Many many kids will benefit from it a lot!! read more

Not impressed. The training was pretty good, but their admin team could use some training on customer service and bookkeeping. When I 1st signed up, they did not communicate well and I was signed up for a 15 minute session when I was told I was scheduled for a 15 minute session then go immediately into my 45 minute lesson. Next incident, I did not receive my confirmation email/texts as promised. So, I was not certain if my bookings were confirmed or not. Lastly, I purchased a package for both my son and I. The adult sessions have 5 lessons, the minor lessons only have 4. So, for my last lesson I couldn't make it and gave it to my son. Apparently, there was some miscommunication and my son was booked to accompany me in every session. He swam my lesson and what we thought was his last lesson. Then I received a call stating the lesson he swam, was not previously paid. Weird and discouraging because I was just about to sign up for a new package for myself, but this was the last final mistake. So any recommendations on adult swim send them my way. I'm in the market. And if you go to this place be sure to monitor your own attendance. read more

Found this place randomly when searching for swimming lesson locations around the Northern Virginia area. I had absolutely no idea how to swim, but figured now was a good time to do so. The more time I waste the less time I get to enjoy fun activities while I still can! I visited their website and scheduled an appointment online. Whole process took about 5 mins - just your typical application form. On the day of my appointment, I received a text alert to confirm I will be coming and that was that! I showed up, walked up to the front desk, let them know about my appointment, and just waited until my instructor showed up. Fast forward to the end of my lessons. I am completely amazed at how much progress I made after taking these lessons with Cynthia and Dan. I decided to take five lessons because of the bulk discount, but for my actual needs only three were necessary; the other two ended up with me working on technique. Still pretty helpful. Here is my quick lesson-to-lesson routine for reference: Lesson 1 Learned to float on my front and back, and how to swim with my legs only. Seems like something simple for anyone who knows how to swim, but I have never been able to do it in my entire life. One lesson with Cynthia and I did both! Lesson 2 Learned to swim underwater, and how to switch from swimming to floating (both front and back). Toward the end, since I had extra time Cynthia also gave me a quick intro to doing freestyle swimming. Lesson 3 Had a new instructor, Dan. Dan improved upon my freestyle swimming, and taught me how to breathe while swimming. By this point, I have reached all of my original goals (learning to swim and knowing how to breathe while swimming). Pretty amazed at how much progress I made in only three days that I could not have done in years! Lesson 4 Back to Cynthia again. Because I mentioned interest in scuba diving/snorkeling to her in a previous lesson, I was geared up in basic snorkeling attire and taught how to best swim/breathe with the attire on. She also taught me how to do back strokes while floating on my back. We also improved on my swimming techniques from previous lessons with her (not Dan's). Lesson 5 Switched back to Dan once more. Dan once again focused on my freestyle swimming and breathing techniques. I am extremely happy I ended up scheduling with SwimBox. I was originally hesitant because another reviewer mentioned it was not a place for new swimmers; this is completely false! Yes, it is pretty much a tank filled with water, but the variable strength currents simulate how fast you would be swimming in the water. Essentially, it allows you to swim forever while the instructor gets to view your form the entire time to better assist you! There are mirrors below and above you so you can see yourself. As for the instructors, both were very pleasant to work with. Cynthia is sociable and pretty funny, which made me feel at ease the entire time. There was no awkward, prolonged introduction during my first lesson, we just jumped right into the lessons! In my case, Cynthia was the one who introduced me to new swimming techniques whereas Dan was more focused on improving them. Dan was very detail oriented and able to pinpoint areas in which I could improve. He was patient and able to demonstrate and explain it in ways that would help me understand better. Overall, I strongly recommend going here and am completely happy with my experience here! read more

I don't really write reviews; however, my experience was so disappointing (and expensive) I want to warn others. I hired SwimBox to do 3 lessons for my adult nephew to assist him with his swimming technique. He lives out of town, so a main selling point was the fact that he would get videos of his lessons so that he could see his progress and review them to better recall the lessons. Lesson 1 - the video was less than 45 seconds and showed my nephew standing up and none of his swim stroke. It took 6-8 calls to get the promised "videos" and it was worthless. They promised lesson 2 would be better and lots of videos would be provided. No videos were sent. Lesson 3 - again no videos were provided. I would not recommend this business based on my experience. read more

I've been swimming since I was a kid but wanted to work on good form and technique to start swimming laps for fun and have something to focus on to make it interesting. I tried several different trainers/coaches here and eventually found one that was a good fit for me. I was REALLY DISAPPOINTED when I tried to schedule my last two sessions and discovered my package had expired and in order to use them I would have to pay more money. Thats a BAD BUSINESS PRACTICE - I will not be returning, taking or recommending anyone else. Also, showers overflow all over the bathroom floors and its gross. read more

Love The SwimBox experience! I'm an adult who enjoys kayaking, and I told Melissa that her job was to help me learn the basics so I don't necessarily need rescuing if I fall in a river. I picked SwimBox because I'm an introvert, and the last thing I need is some 7 year old swimming circles around me at the local pool while I'm trying to learn. Melissa taught me at my own pace, focusing on proper form so I wouldn't wear myself out in an actual emergency. I dreaded coming to the first lesson, but Melissa was such a good teacher that by the last one I was sad it was over. And she even sent me a video so I can show my family that, yes, that's me, and I'm swimming! I highly recommend the SwimBox experience to anyone who's self-conscious or gets worn out around too many other humans. read more

Wouldn't recommend for adults or beginners who have no swimming experience. Made little/no progress in 3 sessions with 2 different instructors. read more

I'm a marathoner-turned-triathlete, but I was just so incredibly slow while swimming. What made it even more frustrating is that I'm in great shape, yet I moved like molasses in January, while everyone else in the pool easily glided by me. So then I heard someone mention SwimBox, and I figured I'd give it a try. And I'm so glad I did! I signed up for a 3-pack, and had my first session with Sydney and the other two with Cynthia. In each session, we'd go over moves/positioning that, at the time, would seem minimal, yet when I incorporated them into my own swims, the difference was astounding! So I am definitely fan of this teaching style, where the instructor hones in on one particular technique improvement and we work on that for the entire session. read more

I recently signed up to compete in an IronMan half triathlon this coming October. I was never a very accomplished swimmer and I haven't swam in over 50 years (I'm 64). So I knew I needed help. I bought a 10 pack set of swim lessons and both Lissa and her husband Dominic have traded off providing me with instructions, focusing on my technique. Keeping my core engaged, rotating my hips, keeping my elbow up as I begin a new stroke, pointing my toes as I kick upwards, and a host of other technique enhancers. I'm a lot farther along than I was a month ago, but I still have a long way to go. They have helped me view the swim portion of the Triathlon (1.2 miles) as an achievable goal, and for that I'm grateful. There is no substitute for time in the pool, and that's what I'm doing now. Thanks Lissa and Dominic for your help and encouragement. I'll be sure to send you pics from the finish line in Tempe this October! read more

I would recommend SwimBox for adult learning, this place offers 5 stars quality. I have been taken classes for the past three months and all I can say that I have been really satisfied by the quality of coaching. My instructor is Val who is amazing in every way, she is very very patient and really nice. She always encourages me and motivates me to do my best, she understands the issues that I had over the year and try to embrace the change slowly. She is a very kind, considerate and passionate coach and really care for her student to make progress, sometimes she would spend double of the time/double class without any cost so I can feel comfortable doing it. Val is one of the new instructors at SwimBox and all I can say I have been really lucky to have her. I will continue with SwimBox and Val and I know that I will reach my goal. read more

I learned about swimbox while receiving Physical Therapy at Fast Track Sports Performance. I have had two sessions so far and I am already swimming pain free. Coach Dominic has the ability to analyze your stroke poolside using their endless pool which is incredibly helpful with mirrors located on the bottom of the pool and in front of you. Additionally he is able to do video analysis with immediate playback which is a huge help if you are a visual learner. I'm amazed at how much better my body feels moving through the water after making just a few adjustments. The endless pool provides the perfect classroom and allows Dominic to evaluate your stroke above and below the water. You just can't get this type of an assessment from a pool deck. Thanks Dominic! You are an awesome coach! read more

Beginner swimmers who are motivated to get it right the first time should consider hiring Dominic at Swimbox. When I was learning to golf, I took lessons for weeks and now, even though I don't play more than a few times a year, I still have a decent swing because I learned from the ground up from a professional. I'm using the same model with my swimming: Despite being around water my entire life (I scuba dive and sail), I never learned to swim freestyle. In July 2015 I had an opportunity to work with a swimming instructor who lived in my building. We met once or twice a week at the local pool and by November I needed to up my game. Dominic was recommended to me by my physical therapist. I was able to do laps the day after my very first lesson with Dominic. No, it's not magic - Dominic is an experienced swimming professional who just tweaked a few things in my still-very-new swimming style, and I was off, swimming laps. I'm still going every week or two to Swimbox to use their endless pool, video tools, and of course Dominic, to improve my swimming. I'm not kidding when I say that I learn something new every single lesson, something that improves my freestyle. Of course, I can't speak to what very experienced swimmers would get out of such lessons, but for the beginner, this is a no-nonsense, highly informative way to learn properly from the get-go. I'd recommend this way of learning to swim for adults who are serious about it or who don't want to learn in a class situation. read more

I have been taking swim lessons since mid-2017 with Sydney as a way of improving my swim triathlon splits. SwimBox has been very helpful in analyzing technique and making my freestyle stroke much more efficient, leading to my swim split improving to the middle of the pack. Video analysis helps give real-time feedback and allows comparison of stroke changes over time. You will get the best value out of these lessons if you take down notes from each session and incorporate instructor feedback in your practices between lessons. Excellent value! read more

Still an amazing place to teach kids how to swim. My son is almost at level 3 after nine months. I recommended this place to a friend whose child spent 6 months in private swimming lessons elsewhere with no luck. After a few sessions her child was floating and swimming across! Solid fives stars. read more

My tween son has learned so much working one on one with Sydney, and he has so much fun. She is genuinely interested in ensuring he understands and can process and remember stroke improvements, as well as increase his turnover rate and stamina. I even noticed one day that she keeps detailed notes of all she has covered with him. He better understands the whys of stroke mechanics now - a must to help him remember and feel it in his stroke as he swims. Swimbox even has swim clinics each month - very worthwhile. I've seen other clients ranging from those learning to swim to triathletes - so all are welcome. read more

SwimBox is great! I am a marathon runner, and I wanted to add swimming to my routine to balance out my workout and work towards doing my first triathalon. I couldn't have asked for a better coach than Dominic. The visual and verbal feedback that you get in the moment at SwimBox makes it possible to adjust your stroke in real time. I was able to see myself swim from below, and it allowed me to see what was really going on and make adjustments to improve my efficiency. I have learned to love swimming again, and I am seeing consistent improvements thanks to Dominic and SwimBox! read more

SwimBox is great! I ended up here because I too started training for a triathlon and found my swim skill set (built when I was in elementary school) lacking. So I'm not a professional swimmer, but having pursued other things in life my mantra is the worst thing you can do is practice something wrong. SwimBox is great for this mantra because with all the mirrors and video and coach watching what you're doing, you can really concentrate on perfecting your form and stop bad habits right away. And the coaching is great. Dominic has been patient and encouraging yet he always gives me a good challenge. This seems to hold true for all levels I've seen him coach, from beginner to ex-collegiate (or whatever super-speedy is). Also I might add that I was a little concerned at being self-conscious with all the mirrors and whatnot but they actually make me feel pretty badass. So jump on in! read more

Outstanding job by Dan!! He is a miracle worker. He is patient, understanding and incredibly knowledgeable. Learning how to swim is on my bucket list. Even though this was my first lesson - Dan gave me the confidence to believe I will be able to swim. I highly recommend Swimbox - a very innovative and private venue. If you're thinking about learning how to swim or improving your swim techniques - don't hesitate - contact SwimBox now! read more

For new learners , this is not a place to be, i believe .They work on techniques ,which is good but they don't have pool of their own .They always ask you to swim in a big tank , which is not very deep and not very wide .just a gentle push and you reach other end.So if you want to learn swimming , i believe its not a good place but if you are a competent swimmer, may be you can check this out. read more

A little pricey but it's all worth it. They teach great techniques and you will be challenged to do better. Love this place

Best swim coach in the area. The immediate feedback received in conjunction with video playback really helped me understand what coach Dominic was telling me. read more

Dominic is a fantastic trainer, helping me to improve my strokes and techniques and to swim pain-free. I look forward to his training sessions. The pool itself is a very helpful tool, where you can see your reflection and how your body goes through the water as you swim. Not easy to at first and need to get used to, but helps to understand how you swim. read more

This is the best swim coaching I've ever had. It's one-on-one, in a controlled setting where you get immediate feedback on your stroke and anything you're working on to improve it. Dominic is an AMAZING coach: he knows what to have you work on to improve your stroke, and he finds all kinds of ways to help you understand how to do it. He doesn't just tell and expect you to make changes -- he shows you how, in and out of the pool, and he works with you until you get it. He videos your swimming too and shows you right away, so you can see what you did right and what you still need to work on. My triathlon swim has improved immensely since working with Dominic! I highly recommend to anyone looking to improve their swim. read more

I have never been a competent swimmer and actually got into the sport rather late, when I was in my late twenties. Much that I love swimming, I have been a fairly mediocre swimmer, although a keen one. You may know the story: you train hard, you do your best, you are disciplined, but somehow you are always left behind by those who swam at a competitive level at high school or college, or by those who are accomplished triathletes. Just five sessions with Dominic have been enough to gain an enlightening awareness of my body and to break a plateau I had already become used to. He combines an excruciating attention to detail with ways of helping you to understand how it *feels* to swim properly. He does make the most out of the state of the art endless pool with mirrors all around and video analysis. He has made swimming even more pleasurable for me, and more effective too. I wonder how many shoulder and back injuries and years of inefficient swimming I would have avoided had I come across him earlier. The best part: Dominic's insights will be with you for the rest of your life. I could not recommend him highly enough. read more

My older son is 11 and has always had trouble swimming. He has been unable to complete his "swim check" at Scout camp for the past two summers. I grew up on the water and don't recall learning how to swim, so trying to teach him was a challenge for me. I reached out to Swimbox and explained some of his issues. Lissa got back to me very quickly via e-mail and explained to me how she thought their program could help. Their online system for purchasing and booking one on one lessons was a breeze, and I had my boy signed up in short order. After four lessons in the "pool" at Swimbox he experienced a miraculous change and I'm happy to report that he was not only able to pass his Swim Check at scout camp, but he also nearly earned his swimming merit badge on his first shot. If not for the diving portion, he would have nailed the merit badge and I'm confident that we'll have him squared away with a little bit of help. Dan and Cynthia were phenomenal instructors--I could tell that they are both highly experienced and knowledgeable about their craft, but they worked from ground zero with my son without ever making him feel like he was inadequate in any way, or like his fears of the water were unwarranted or weird. He literally went from a child who wouldn't go beyond four feet of water to a full on waterbug thanks to Swimbox. He's excited to get back for some more lessons in the near future to work on his technique. I can't recommend this establishment enough. read more

This is a really cool place to work on improving your swim technique. I enjoyed my lesson and got A LOT of feedback and corrections. I hope I can keep up the improvements in practice but I will be coming back for more help. read more

I am learning to be a triathlete. The last time I had formal swimming lessons was approximately 35yrs ago so lots of bad habits have crept in with bad form being a recipe for injury. The swimbox is great and is very comfortable to swim in. Having the immediate visual feedback from the installed mirrors while swimming is really helpful for being able to correct form and helps you focus your eyes downward, which is something I personally struggle with. Combine that with the ability of Dominic to give verbal guidance while you're actually swimming as well as provide over and underwater video playback to help highlight aspects of your swim means the learning curve is just insane. Dominic's style of teaching is great - no feeling dumb or incapable as an adult 'learner'. Not only did I leave the lesson feeling invigorated and inspired to keep working on things, I PR'd on my swim leg at a race the following weekend! read more

Dominic is the da bomb! My swim had been a particular trouble spot as I've moved toward the front of the pack of my Ironman age group. Nearly given up on swimming the 2.4mi distance under 1.5 hrs. Until I was referred to Dominic. Since Dominic began coaching me this year, I've PR'd nearly ever race I've swam. Just a few weeks ago, I went 1:08 at Lake Placid -- a 15-min improvement in a sport where 15 seconds can mean the difference between placing or not. Not only does he have the know-how and credentials to teach and demonstrate swim technique, Dominic also listens, has a keen eye and an uncanny ability to diagnose, articulate and tailor his lessons to the particular needs of a student. In my case, getting more comfortable with drafting in tight packs was key, so Dominic jumped right in the pool so I could practice and gave me several options should I need to adjust positioning during the race (options I used at Placid). SwimBox has only enhanced his teachings by providing instant visual feedback through the placement of mirrors and constant, continuous video footage not possible in the back and forth of a lap pool. Whether your capabilities range from novice to the more advanced, I would highly recommend Dominic to meet all your swimming needs. read more