Coach Daniel

About Daniel Reimer

Instructor: Performance Cycling, Physical Therapist

What are you going to bring to Speed Cycling?

I have a personal training and cycling instructing background which served as a good platform for my career as a physical therapist. I work in an outpatient orthopedics setting at Dean West and see a high percentage of our athletic population including the running and triathlon population. Speed Cycling will allow me to fuse these backgrounds into my roles as a cycling instructor and physical/personal trainer. I will be able to provide injury assessments and program development for those dealing with injury and be able to serve in a personal training role from a physical therapists perspective. This will allow for accurate exercise prescription through proper body mechanics instruction and therefore be able to prevent injury which is my goal. I will also be conducting seminars ranging from off season strength training for triathletes to more specific topics such as hamstring strains and sciatica.

Why did you become a coach/instructor?

Initially I become a spinning instructor because I thought the classes were boring and the teachers who taught just weren’t motivating to me. Plus who can do interval training to the Steve Miller Band! In my mind, the music and the energy/attitude of the instructor set the stage for a great workout. I enjoy seeing where people start from and then watching them progress toward their goals reaching a sense of achievement along the way. I feel people too often sell themselves way short of what they are capable, and I feel as a coach/instructor I am able to do a great job of helping them surpass expectation.

What is your greatest athletic achievement(s)?

Dating back, winning the 5^th grade city baseball championships with a game winning grand slam in the bottom of the last inning was right up there with Ironman in terms of excitement and sharing the moment. Ironman Wisconsin 2006 finish was probably the most memorable and most significant to date. The first time, I feel, is always the most challenging mentally, physically, and spiritually just because of the unknown ahead. With God helping every step of the way and under the expertise of my coach, Justin Henkel, I was able to finish with the biggest smile on my face to date. I usually do about 5 triathlons per summer ranging from sprints to half IMs but have not done an IM since 2008 which again was a marvelous experience which left a sweet taste in my mouth and a huge smile on my face!

Favorite Quotes:

If you think you can; you can. If you think you can’t you’re right
Tough times don’t last, tough people do.
A coach is someone who can give correction without causing resentment.
Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.
Material possessions, winning scores, and great reputations are meaningless in the eyes of the Lord, because He knows what we really are and that is all that matters.
Don't measure yourself by what you have accomplished, but by what you should have accomplished with your ability.
Phillipians 4:13
Mark 8:36

What do you like to do outside of triathlon and training?

I have re-ignited the flame for the love of golf this past summer. My goal was to break 40 and have hit 40 on the nose three times this year from the blue tees, but it just was not meant to be quite yet. I have been golfing with a group of older gentlemen on Thursday mornings who have really helped me mentally and physically with the game. It is a game which takes expert concentration and precision with every swing so I have really grown to love the challenge. I enjoy spending time with my gal, Macarey Schaefer, whether it be watching a movie or cooking something marvelous at home. We really enjoy traveling to Colorado and had the opportunity to spend some time this past summer in Durango which was magnificent.

Testimonials


I have known Dan for about 5 years and he has personally helped assess me and many other athletes in the Madison area. In addition to assessments, he does a great job at developing rehabilitation programs which have gotten both myself and other athletes back to training at 100%. If you are looking to overcome an injury or simply want to avoid one, I would highly recommend you seek him out! -Blake Becker, Professional Triathlete and coach
Dan is the only person, doctor or otherwise, that I trust to work on my body. He understands the mindset of the athlete because he is one and understands the drive it takes to fulfill your potential and how injury can affect that. There aren't many Physical Therapists out there that get to the root of the problem and solve it the best way for the athlete. Dan is certainly a unique force in the field of physical therapy; he treats the injury, the patient and the athlete all at the same time, which is why I won’t go to anyone else. -Justin Henkel, Age Group 70.3 World Chempion, multisport coach
I am a competitive 50 year old age group long course triathlete that highly recommends the physical therapy services of Dan Reimer. I was referred to Dan in 2008 by my coach Justin Henkel. I had been suffering from severe lower back and resulting hamstring pain for nearly a year before I made an appointment to see Dan. An MRI indicated I had three bulging discs in my lower back resulting from an old injury I suffered playing college hockey. Prior to seeing Dan, I spent six months visiting a host of doctors, physical therapists and chiropractors in an attempt to maintain my fitness necessary to compete in my first love of triathlons. Unfortunately, their recommendations of rest, adjustments and “touchy feely” physical therapy did nothing to alleviate my pain or improve my fitness. Unlike the previously mentioned doctors, Dan’s thorough and professional analysis of my body mechanics indicated that if I followed his detailed plan of stretching and weight training during my off season I would be ready for the 2009 triathlon season. Dan provided detailed printed diagrams and a daily plan to get my body ready for the rigors of a 16-20 hour a week workout schedule. Dan was also readily available to answer my questions and provided excellent follow up physical therapy sessions as my body began to rebuild and rid itself of the pain I was experiencing. I am delighted to tell you that not only did his plan rid me of my pain and suffering, I was able to reach the podium of most of the races I competed in. I recently completed my final race of the 2010 season in Clearwater, FL at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships! Thank you “Dan the Man” for all your help in the past two years! I highly recommend Dan Reimer if you are in need of professional physical therapy to get you back on the road to good health and wellness. -Michael P. Sokol, age group 70.3 World Championship Qualifer
After spending years of struggling with severe pain in my upper back while in the aero position, Dan Reimer’s evaluation and exercise plan helped me to get healthy within a matter of weeks and enabled me to compete in the Foster Grant Ironman World Championships 70.3 pain free. Dan’s PT background and firsthand knowledge of triathlon makes him a valuable resource to any endurance athlete struggling with injury. I highly recommend Dan to anybody serious about getting better quickly to get back in the race! -Ben Harrison, age group 70.3 World Champion Qualifier
Dan is an exceptional physical therapist. He has extensive knowledge in his field of study and is always up to date on the most effective and advanced treatments available. He shares a deep compassion for people and sincerely desires to help each person reach their individual health and wellness goals. Dan’s experience as a successful therapist and his care for the individual brings together the perfect mix for effective physical therapy. As a competitive athlete, Dan has helped me overcome a number of nagging sports injuries. As a professional coach, he has consulted with several of my athletes and successfully helped them regain their health. There is nobody I trust more to help me or my athletes get back on track towards reaching our goals. -Cindi Bannink, age group champion, 2x Kona finisher, multisport coach