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Dani Arruda, PhD

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About Dani

I have always been passionate about enhancing performance, especially in exercise. Growing up as a volleyball player, I quickly realized that how exercises are performed makes a significant difference. This passion led me to pursue a deeper understanding of movement and performance, culminating in a bachelor’s, master’s, and PhD in Exercise Science. My journey has been focused on discovering the most effective methods to teach and optimize human movement. Since 2011, I have been working with clients committed to enhancing their performance, whether in sports, strength, or overall movement ability. As a scientist, I integrate cutting-edge, research-based methods into every practice to ensure optimal results. If you're looking for an expert who not only studies but specializes in movement and performance improvement, I am the person for the job.


 

 

 


My favorite client story

One of my favorite client stories is about a young volleyball player who was determined to earn a starting position on her team. When we first began working together, she had a lot of weaknesses to address and several areas to improve. I provided her with targeted exercises and drills, and she poured her heart into them. Fast forward a year, after countless hours of dedication and hard work, she not only became a starter but transformed into a completely different athlete—stronger, more skilled, and with an incredible mindset. The credit is all hers. I always tell my clients that I can’t achieve their goals for them, but I can show them the path. It’s up to them to put in the effort and reach their destination.

My favorite exercise

Oh boy, I'm gonna have to say Deep Squats.

My favorite quote

“Whether you think you can, or you think you can't – you're right."
Henry Ford

My training philosophy

My approach to training is deeply rooted in motor control science, with a primary focus on enhancing your ability to move efficiently and effectively. The human body is a dynamic system, and my goal as a trainer is to optimize your motor system to support better movement patterns, prevent injuries, and boost performance.

To achieve this, I focus on three key elements:

The Task – Adjusting the complexity or intensity of exercises to challenge your capabilities progressively.
The Environment – Modifying surroundings to encourage adaptability, whether it's altering surfaces, equipment, or external conditions.
The Individual – Considering personal factors like body composition, physical condition, and movement history to tailor the training to your unique needs.
A core concept in my philosophy is variability. Repeatedly performing the same movement in the same way can overstrain muscles, joints, and ligaments, leading to injury. By incorporating constant variations into your workouts, we can minimize overuse injuries and enhance your body’s adaptability to different physical demands. This variability not only reduces risk but also drives continuous improvement in strength, mobility, and overall performance.

In short, I believe that movement is the foundation of health, and through smart, varied training, we’ll unlock your full potential while keeping you safe and injury-free.

My training experience

I’ve had the privilege of working with a diverse range of clients, though most of my clientele have been athletes focused on enhancing their performance or recovering from injuries to play pain-free. Many came to me with goals like jumping higher, running faster, or increasing their punching power. I've also helped numerous clients gain muscle mass—a process I find especially rewarding, as I’m deeply fascinated by the science behind bodybuilding.

In addition to athletes, I’ve worked with clients facing special conditions such as obesity, diabetes, and high blood pressure. Each of these cases required a tailored approach to ensure safe, effective progress toward their health and fitness goals.

Areas of Expertise

  • Muscle Gain
  • Sports Performance Training

Additional Certifications

Volleyball Coach Level III, Specialized in Sports Training

Education

PhD in Exercise Science, Master's in Exercise Science, Bachelors in Exercise Science

Who I Especially Like Working With

Bodybuilders, Middle-aged, Runners, Student-athletes

Medical Conditions Experience

Knee Pain/Issues, Shoulder Issues

Additional Languages Spoken

Portuguese, Spanish

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