Return to motion. Keep it for life.

Coached online · Founded in Athens by a two-time Olympian

Vaggelis Makrygiannis, two-time Olympic swimmer

Coached online · Founded in Athens

Askēsis

A private coaching practice from a two-time Olympian.

Apply for Foundations Explore the practice

Applications are read by Vaggelis. Founding membership terms are shared with every accepted applicant.

The practice

Not a fitness app. A practice with a coach.

Askēsis turns the discipline of elite sport into a practical weekly rhythm: a 15-minute daily practice, track sessions written for you, recovery, check-ins, and direct feedback.

  1. 01

    Move

    Joint range, posture, breathing, balance, and the daily mobility that keeps life open.

    Swimmer poised on the starting block
  2. 02

    Build

    Strength, stability, tissue care, and athletic basics that make the body more durable.

    Butterfly swimmer breaking through the surface
  3. 03

    Recover

    Downshifting, pacing, reflection, and sustainable training blocks that protect the long game.

    Backstroke swimmer in controlled motion
A look inside the practice

The standard

The goal is not simply to live longer. The goal is to remain capable, for life.

No feeds, no badges, no leaderboards. Intelligent training, honest recovery, and the quiet record of returning to the work.

Foundations

Six weeks to build a rhythm you can keep.

Every member begins with Foundations. You are placed in a track, given a 15-minute daily practice, and guided week by week, each week with one focus.

  1. Week 01

    Learn

    Understand the movement and reduce unnecessary tension.

  2. Week 02

    Control

    Improve clean execution.

  3. Week 03

    Range

    Increase usable range of motion.

  4. Week 04

    Strength

    Add tension and longer holds.

  5. Week 05

    Integration

    Connect breath, control, and stability.

  6. Week 06

    Mastery

    Calm control under fatigue.

  7. Then Vaggelis Makrygiannis sets your next block.

    See the full program

Choose your track

Same standard. Different starting points.

Apply and get placed

Applications are read by Vaggelis. Founding membership terms are shared with every accepted applicant.

Track 01

Swim Track

Technique, aerobic control, shoulder care, and dryland support for performance that lasts.

For competitive, masters, open-water, or returning swimmers.

Track 02

Everyday Track

Mobility, strength, conditioning, and recovery sessions that fit around normal weeks.

For adults who want strength, range, and energy for real life.

Track 03

Restore Track

Slower progressions, more recovery, and clear guardrails so the body can trust movement again.

For people returning to motion or starting from a lower base.

Inside

A private room. Members only.

The app is where the work happens, and it is not shown here. It opens when your application is accepted.

  • Today's practice, guided movement by movement, 15 minutes
  • Training written for your track, week by week
  • Every movement at three levels, with his cues
  • A direct line to Vaggelis Makrygiannis
Apply for Foundations

Applications are read by Vaggelis. Founding membership terms are shared with every accepted applicant.

Your coach

Vaggelis Makrygiannis

  • Two-time Olympic swimmer, Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024 (backstroke)
  • Greek national record holder
  • MSc Gerontology, University of Southern California
  • Two decades inside high-performance swimming

"Why should only elite athletes learn how to preserve the body they depend on?"

What he coaches

Swimming
Technique, aerobic control and shoulder care, in and out of the pool.
Strength
Tissue capacity and stability that make the body more durable.
Mobility
Joint range, posture, breath and balance, trained a little every day.
Longevity
Training planned for the decades ahead, informed by gerontology.

How a reply reads

An illustration written for this page, not a real member's message. The check-in it answers: “Hips tight on Friday, and the deep squat felt forced.”

Thank you for the honest check-in. Tight hips at the end of a long week are common, and forcing the depth will not open them.

In Practice B this week, hold the Deep Squat Hold only as low as your breath stays slow, and stop before your lower back rounds. If that is halfway, halfway is the work. Control before range.

Keep Sunday easy: walk, breathe, and tell me how the week felt.

— Vaggelis

Meet Vaggelis

Founding members

Apply if you are ready for a guided practice, not another thing to ignore.

The first cohort is intentionally small so feedback can stay personal. You do not need to be in shape. You need to be willing to practice.

Apply for Foundations Meet Vaggelis

Applications are read by Vaggelis. Founding membership terms are shared with every accepted applicant.