We worked with thousands of
cyclists on fit over the years and we stay in communication with a
number of other very well respected fit specialists throughout the
country. Our goal being to stay at the forefront of our field and share
information with each other. This way we're all better fitters as a
whole. Among the many topics discussed is the fact that because we are
dynamic, changing beings, our fit changes.
It's fair to say that everyone
can benefit from a professional accurate bike fitting and that a single
fitting is better than no fitting at all. Most cyclists are fairly aware
of the benefits of a good fit too. What a number of people aren't aware
of is that people who ride a lot truly should get a fitting once a
year. Our level of fitness changes, our weight fluctuates, we get older,
what we do off the bikes changes as well. All of these factors can
change your fit, your position, on a bicycle.
What we mean by "your level of
fitness" refers more to volume (miles ridden and more frequent rides)
than it does to actual cardiovascular performance. Your core strength is
also considered here. If you are riding regularly and you are doing
core work (like we all should), you'll be able to support yourself on a
bike better. You'll likely be able to maintain efficiency in a more
aggressive position. If on the other hand you have been riding less than
normal and you've been on the couch eating cheese all winter, you are
very likely to feel uncomfortable and you'll measurably less efficient
on your bike than you do when your getting the miles in. It's important
to be aware that you can maintain efficiency and reduce the risk of
injury and discomfort by reviewing your fit relative to your volume on
the bike.
Weight fluctuation is related to
your level of fitness. How it affects your fit is pretty interesting.
By losing weight, you have less weight to support in the riding position
and most people will orient their pelvis differently on the saddle and
maintain better alignment and posture. Pedal stroke can also change as a
result. If you've lost a lot of weight because you are riding a lot and
taking care of yourself, you should get a follow up. We've seen saddle
height changes, saddle fore and aft adjustments and we've had a great
number of clients realize that along with the obvious benefits of losing
weight, they are also able to become more efficient and comfortable on
the bike by refining their position accordingly. This can be quite
inspiring and motivating, we all want the hills to be a bit easier
right?
Getting older is a factor too.
It very simply affects our level of fitness, flexibility, range of
motion...everything. In short, it's a drag. As we age and our bodies
change, our fit changes and it's very important to stay on top of our
fit so that we can continue to enjoy riding long term. Our bodies
require more time to recover from injury and are even more susceptible
to injury in the first place. Keep an eye on yourself and you'll keep on
riding well into your later years. We have clients well into their 70's
that ride more miles a week than I do. It's inspiring. They've made
good decisions as far as staying healthy.
What we do off the bike can make
a huge difference in how we feel and perform on a bike. Work space
ergonomics, stress level and other sports can all change your experience
on a bike. As an example, if you were at a desk job for ten years and
then switched to, let's say prep chef at a busy restaurant where you're
over worked and on your feet all night. That's going to have an
ergonomic affect. Your experience on your bike is likely going to
change. The same goes for what your physical routine is. Golf, as I've
recently learned, is about the worst sport ergonomically I've tried.
Other sports have different affects on your body too. It's important to
be aware of how these things are affecting you and how you feel on the
bike.
We offer complimentary follow
ups within a six month period and other follow up appointments are
simply billed hourly at $85 per hour. They generally take an hour give
or take. For those of you who have purchased a bike from us,
complimentary follow ups are offered for one year from the date of
purchase. If it's been a while, you seen some real changes physically or
other changes, give us a call and keep yourself in check.
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