RIDE LONGER, RIDE STRONGER, RIDE FASTER, RIDE SAFER, WITH COMFORT

At FITT 1ST we are passionate about the sport of cycling and believe that in order to enjoy this wonderful sport to its fullest, you need to be comfortable above all else. Whether you are a weekly commuter, a dedicated charity rider, serious recreational club rider, elite or professional athlete, road or mountain, it all starts with finding the best position possible for you. Once you are comfortable, then and only then can performance be optimized.We believe that a person’s bicycle when fitted correctly should feel like an extension of their own body, the perfect union between Rider and Machine. You should feel comfortable, safe, balanced, strong and always in control.

K Scott Judges B Sc. ( Founder / Owner )



Contact Info: Tel: 416-346-9696

Email: fitt1stbikefitting@gmail.com



FIT STUDIO AND PERFORMANCE LAB LOCATED AT:

1450 O'connor Dr. Building 2, Unit 105 Toronto ON M4B 2T8

Go to this link for Directions::

https://www.google.com/webhp?source=search_app&gws_rd=ssl#q=1450+o+connor+drive+building+2



WHAT MAKES A " FITT 1ST " BIKE FIT DIFFERENT

"Tell me and I’ll forget. Show me and I’ll remember. Involve me and I’ll understand”

Confucius

We at FITT 1ST want you to understand your bike fit, that's why we take the extra time to actively involve you in all aspects of the procedure. This way we establish quality communication and feedback.

Our fitting process was developed by the leaders and pioneers in this industry, taught at the SICI Institute to the TOP FITTERS IN THE WORLD. Although our system uses well established scientific criteria as its base we add a very “Rider Centric “ component to our fit procedure by establishing a thorough personalized profile of the rider themselves.

There are no “quick fixes” if a bike fit is done correctly, and that is why our fits are very comprehensive.

Whether you are a pro athlete or a daily commuter, the process remains the same and is equally important for all.

By the time your fit is complete you should not only feel totally satisfied with your new position, you will also have a much greater knowledge and better understanding of how your body and your bicycle work together. You and the bicycle become one. This is how the cycling experience is maximized.


Full FITT Procedure

Step 1: Interview

The fit begins with an extensive interview to establish a personal blueprint of the uniqueness you bring to the bike.

We will gather information about your life off the bike that relates directly to your comfort, efficiency and power on the bike. Lifestyle, fitness level, riding experience, prior injuries, surgeries and current physical concerns all play an important role in determining your ideal position.


Step 2: Foot Assessment

This is a very important aspect of the bike fit and absolutely essential for any rider who uses a clipped in pedal system. The interface between the foot, shoe, cleat and pedal is where it all begins. This is where all your power and efficiency originates.

This is also the source for the majority of foot, knee, hip and sometimes lower back issues that we encounter. Foot size and shape, degree of pronation, arch type, length and height, forefoot and posterior foot varus and valgas and metatarsal support are all evaluated here.


Step 3: Flexibility and Postural Assessment

Everyone has a unique body structure, determined by genetics, how we live our lives, and even what we do for a living. A person who sits in front of a computer all day will have a much different range of motion and flexibility than the fitness trainer, even if they were born identical twins. Chances are they would not be comfortable in the same position on the bike as well. Postural alignment, leg length differences, pelvic asymmetries, spinal flexibility, hamstring flexibility, and hip flexion range of motion, IT bands and internal hip flexors will all be assessed.


Step 4: On Bike Assessment

Everything we do on the bike is to ensure that the bike fits you. It makes more sense to change a stem, saddle position or handle bar position than to force one's body into a position that is unnatural. This process will result in a position that accommodates all of your natural bio-mechanics, removing excess pressure on all your joints.

Foot stability, cleat alignment, ankling pattern, knee tracking, pelvic angle, upper body alignment, arm and hand positions will all be optimized to ensure that you will be riding safely and comfortably for your current skill and fitness level. We will be asking for your feedback continually through this phase.


Step 5: Evaluation and Recommendations


We will do our best to adapt your existing equipment to you. However there may be changes that we will recommend to you. A new handlebar with shallower reach and drop to accommodate your arm and hand position, a different saddle that fits your body and riding style better or something as small as adding a wedge to one of your cleats. Any one of these small changes can make a world of difference in your ability to enjoy, perform well and ride safely on the bike.

If your bike is just the wrong size and or geometry for you, we will tell you so, and give you advice on what manufacturers makes, models and size would be a much better fit for you and your style of riding.

All of your data will be recorded, so that you will have a permanent record of all the key bike measurements.


To book a fitting contact:


or call Scott Judges at 416-346-9696

Thursday, February 7, 2013

FITT 1ST Cycling TIP OF THE WEEK " GET RID OF THE 6 PACK "

No I'm not talking about the beer you have left over from Superbowl Sunday, I'm talking about the  6 pack that Brad pit was famous for in the movie Fight Club

Abdominal core strength is KING in cycling, Your core muscles help stabilize your upper body and hold posture for extended period's of time so that we retain proper pedalling technique on long rides

Once your core strength goes, and fatigue sets in your pedal stroke gets sloppy and that is when injuries have a tendency to occur.

Having those 6 pack abs might impress the ladies but if you want to impress on the bike, its extra bulk you don't need.

Cycling requires a different type of strength, similar to that required by serious freestyle rock climbers

Ever wonder how these guys can hang from one hand from a 1" ledge in the rock face.

I like to call it Static core strength, the kind you need to hold a static position for a long period of time

In order for your bike to handle properly, your centre of gravity needs to be over the centre of the bike.

For most of us, this results in approx. 40% of our body weight being on the handlebars.

Now that might sound like a lot of weight to you and its going to feel like a lot more weight if your core strength isn't where it needs to be. This results in the feeling of a lot of weight on your hands.

Next time you are on your bike start pedalling and consciously engage your core.

You will probably notice two things

One... That you feel less weight on your hands, and Two... That your cadence will go up, resulting in less pedal effort.

Strong  CORE ....  Strong   RIDING

HOW DO YOU GET IT?

PLANK exercises not crunches, Crunches give you six packs. Planks win races!!

Go to this link to see    Why planks are the best Ab workout

Try holding each of the 2 positions for 20 secs the first day and start adding 5 secs a day, Pretty soon you will be able to hold the position for 2 mins and your core strength will have doubled in a few short weeks.

Come back next week and we will talk about one simple exercise that will make you a much stronger standing climber.







Sunday, February 3, 2013

FITT 1ST now a Dealer for OUTWET "High Technology" wear 100% MADE IN ITALY

At FITT 1ST, we are all about the perfect fit and are always looking for products and services that we feel offer a significant enhancement to the enjoyment of Cycling. This is why we have established relationships with great Companies and Charities like  WattsUp Cycling  , MCIPOLLINI by B1 Group ,  eSoles Custom Footbeds  and Bikes for Cuba

Being comfortable and performing up to your optimal potential on the bike starts with a great bike fit, however performance can be enhanced by additional methods as well, like supporting your feet correctly with custom footbeds like eSoles.

Regulation of core body temperature and heart rate are also key components of keeping you comfortable and performing at your best on your bike or your run.

Ever wonder why cyclists in the Tour de France and other long races like Ironman end up pouring more water on their heads and back of their necks than drinking it.  Its because they are trying to keep their core temperature under control.

It is well known in endurance sports that elevation of core body temperature ends more athletes dreams than dehydration does.

Just ask Fabian Cancellera, who collapsed in anger at the end of a time trial and tore off his baselayer, claiming that because he picked the wrong baselayer for the day, he overheated, his core temperature rose and lost the race because of it.

Increased core temperature limits performance. which can result in all your hard training efforts being wasted

For a comprehensive article on the subject click this link...

Factors limiting Endurance Performance in the Heat

Well... enough of the talking


INTRODUCING...   

        



Designed and manufactured in the rolling hills of Tuscany in the town of Montemurlo about 25 km's northeast of Florence

You may have seen their base layers under the jerseys of well known riders like Peter Sagan, Vincenso Nibali, Ivan Basso of the Liquigas - Cannondale pro cycling team

Peter Sagan the 22 year old Slovac won no less than 13 races in 2012 including, 3 Stages of the Tour de France plus the Green Points Jersey and 4 Stages of the Tour of California

The product line is of the highest quality and technologically the most advanced I have seen in the Industry.

Their baselayers are made from a microfiber called Dryarn, a Polypropylene which has...

1... Highest wickability factor of any known fabric ( 10 x that of polyester which most companies make their
      baselayers from .see here  Moisture control

2... Highest of all fabrics (even wool) at regulating body temperature  Body Temp Regulation

3... Lightest known fabric in the world today 33% lighter than polyester  Weight

4... Stain resistant,  Bacteriostatic and Strong Resistance Features

5... 100% recyclable with no toxic chemicals being used in its manufacture  Respecting the Environment

Outwet then combines this fabric with 10 % elastin and in some cases Carbon fibre with just amazing results.

Most of their baselayers are ONE SIZE FITS ALL, which ensures that the baselayer stays right against your skin where it can do the best job, and it is VERY comfortable since their are virtually no seams

Yes that's right no seams, the baselayers are woven in a proprietary tubular fashion for maximum comfort and no irritation

Check them out at     OUTWET HIGH TECHNOLOGY

Peter Oyler a well known Canadian endurance cyclist is currently in California testing some products for FITT 1ST in preparation for the Race Across America in June. Another client of mine Janet Wilson who has also completed the Race Across the West is training with him.

Here is what Janet has to say about the OUTWET baselayers she is testing when I emailed her yesterday.

" Thank You!!! They are fantastic!  comfortable, don't even notice I'm wearing it other than the superb wicking ability. Never damp or chilly. And we've been working up a sweat climbing for 45-60mins then blasting down some hair-raising descents.  Bonus...they're kinda sexy looking too! "
Available exclusively in Canada through FITT 1ST, however we will ship WORLDWIDE

Just send me an email if you are interested and I will send you a Pdf file with all the products and prices. 

Great Cycling
Scott


Sunday, January 27, 2013

LATEST TRI FIT

Meet Geoff, He has been involved in Triathlon for only 6 months and will be doing his first full Ironman this August at Mt. Tremblant, Que.

Geoff was referred to me through BeginnerTriathlete.com and his objective was to optimize his position for Comfort and Power.

Geoff's current position as you will see in his Before Fit video (see below) had some issues very common with triathletes in general.

1:  Geoff"s torso is compressed. ( notice how curved it is ).

This causes your diaphragm to be restricted, which prevents you from taking full deep breaths.

2:  Geoff's sacrum is rolled back, very indicative of a person who slumps in a chair while at the computer.

Posture is very important on the bike, This poor posture causes the compression of the torso as mentioned earlier, restricts your ability to look down the road causing neck pain, disengages your glutes, drastically affecting the power and efficiency of your pedal stroke.

This also causes your centre of gravity to be too far back on the bike, causing a poor handling front end which can be very unnerving on fast descents.

3:  Saddle too far forward.  this causes loss of power,
 
Yes, we want to be further forward than what we would typically be on a road bike to open up our hip angle a bit and take pressure off the hamstrings so that we can run faster, sooner when we get off the bike, however too far forward cause loss of power and the we lose the ability to efficiently use our hamstrings at all, putting excess pressure on the quads.

Effectively we end up pushing the pedals back instead of down.

4:  Not enough leg extension

This decrease pedal efficiency especially coming over the top of the pedal stroke where most cyclists have a major dead spot

5:  Arms too stretched out

Causes the rider to hold themselves in position using upper body strength
You need to supported skeletally on the aerobars so that you can relax the upper body and put all of your energy in to your pedal stroke.

These are just a few of the issues that can be resolved with a proper bike fit.

Watch Geoff's After fit video and listen to what he has to say, I couldn't have said it better myself.

Have a great race at Mt Tremblant Geoff


GEOFF BEFORE FIT

                                                              GEOFF AFTER FIT

Thursday, January 24, 2013

FITT 1ST GOING TO RACE ACROSS AMERICA ( RAAM ) IN 2013

I have some exciting news to announce.  Peter Oyler, a well known Canadian ultra endurance cyclist will be competing in the RACE ACROSS AMERICA (RAAM) this June in the SOLO division.

This is a 3300 mile race that Peter hopes to complete in 10 days,  YES that's 10 DAYS

I am very excited to have been chosen as part of Peter's 6 man/woman crew to help him accomplish this incredible goal.  My main responsibilities as his bike fitter and head mechanic will be a challenge indeed, and I am thoroughly looking forward to it

As a bike fitter, it is a rare opportunity to observe and engage in a challenge of the human body and spirit of this magnitude.

The race starts is California on June 11, 2013 and finishes in Annapolis, Maryland

For more information visit  www.raceacrossamerica.org  and  http://www.peteroylerraam.com

STAY TUNED FOR UPDATES AND REPORTS
  

TORONTO SPRING BIKE SHOW MAR 1 -3

The Spring bike show is just around the corner and although it is -15 deg C out there most cyclists minds are well in to the 2013 season, planning races and well in to off season training

Possibly this is the year you are going to get that dream bike you've been saving up for

If so, you will want to make sure that you buy the right one for you. Consider a size cycle fit, and make sure all your hard earned cash is effectively spent

Just a reminder that NOW is also the best time to get a bike fit done on your existing bike, if your bike is not feeling particularly comfortable on the trainer.

The reason why you felt pretty good on your bike last Fall and now not so much so is that cycling on the trainer is a very static activity, constantly pushing on the pedals, no ability to coast and no wind to cool you down.

In this type of situation all the flaws in your position and pedal stroke are AMPLIFIED

Ever notice how your saddle feels comfortable for a 6 hr ride outside and after an hour and a half on the trainer you are wondering if this is the same saddle.

Most of us will be outside hopefully in just another 8 weeks, That's 8 solid weeks of muscle memory building

MAKE SURE ALL THAT HARD EARNED MUSCLE MEMORY IS IN THE RIGHT POSITION ON YOUR BIKE!!

Here's to another GREAT cycling season

Monday, October 1, 2012

RIDING WITH THE " LION KING " MARIO CIPOLLINI

I had the distinct pleasure of attending the " 2012 Tour of Niagara "  at the Jackson-Triggs Winery in Niagara on the Lake yesterday, put on by the B1 Group who are the North American disrtibutors of Cipollini Bikes.

Super Mario was on hand to help officially launch Cipollini bikes in Canada


This was a 1st Class affair and how could it not be when you get to ride around wine country with one of the best sprinters in the world, sip great local wine and espresso served fresh on the spot by Krys Hines, Owner of the Le Domestique Cafe in Dundas, Ont.  www.cafedomestique.com. Not even the sketchy weather could put a damper on the festivities.

All the latest Cipollini bikes were on display and they are SWEET!!,

Totally handmade in Italy and a sight to behold, You really should get down to the Cipollini studio at 70 Yorkville Ave in Toronto   www.b1group.ca    and check out these works of art. These are not your ordinary run of the mill bikes

 Better still .... buy one of these beauties and get personally fit right onsite.

When Mario took off in the last km of the ride, believe it or not I was able to hold his wheel, very satisfying even though he was probably not even breaking a sweat.

Many thx to Mario,Vito, Demis and Danilo for a very memorible day



Here is Mario and myself with his personal 2013 RB1000, He is a lot taller than I thought, I'm almost 6 ft and he's got the longest femurs I've ever seen, no wonder he puts out so many watts.

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Remember this Guy ANDREW BOLTON !!

We introduced you to Andrew last December as a new FITT1ST sponsored triathlete, and mentioned to watch out for this guy  "He is going places"

Well Andrew has just finished his first full season of triathlon, competing in the Elite Division of the Multisport Triathlon Series and "WOW"  What a result

Andrew finished THIRD OVERALL !!! and he's only 20

Congratulations Andrew, on an awesome year

Here are the results of his races this year showing his OVERALL finish position along with his bike splits :

* represents fastest bike split in the race



Lakeside Olympic Triathlon: 3'rd 1:58:52*

Wasaga Beach Modified DU: 5'th 1:22:10

Bracebridge Olympic Triathlon: 2'nd 1:58:35

Cobourg Olympic Triathlon: 3'rd 2:03:34

Huronia Olympic Triathlon: 4'th 2:01:54*

Welland Half Iron Triathlon: 18'th 4:33:13

Binbrook Triathlon: 1'st 1:24:22

Woodstock Triathlon: 3'rd 1:27:00

Strides For Stroke 5km Run: 2'nd 16:10

If you would like to follow Andrew and his progress you can read his blog at:

http://www.andrewbolton-triathlete.blogspot.ca/



Tuesday, July 24, 2012

" FIT TIP OF THE WEEK "

Feeling pressure or pain on the outside of your foot when you ride??

This is a much more common issue than you think and it all has to do with the anatomical structure of your foot.

Most people when they walk (about 87% in fact) strike on the outside of their foot first and then roll to the inside.   What causes this is the way your foot is made.

If you were to lift your foot off the ground and let it hang weightless in the air you will notice that the inside of your forefoot is hanging higher than the outside of your foot ( see diagram below showing rear view of the right foot )





This means that in order for your foot to be in its neutral position, the inside of your foot wants to be higher than the outside of your foot  This is called FOREFOOT VARUS

About 9% of the population has a foot that hangs higher on the outside than the inside. This is called FOREFOOT VALGUS, But thats another issue that we will not discuss in this article

Now...  When we have a foot like this that wants to be higher on the inside to be happy and we put it into a cycling shoe that is flat, and then we clip in to a pedal on our bikes that is also flat, our foot is forced in to a flat position that it is not happy with.

As a result this causes our tibia to rotate at our knee, causing our knee to turn inward, which causes pressure and in extreme cases pain on the outside of the foot. ( see diagram below figure 3)



Average varus for most people is about 3-5 degrees, however I have seen people who have as much as 18-20 degrees of varus to their foot.  The more varus your foot has the more pressure you will feel on the outside of your foot.

How do we relieve this pressure... Well it is simpler than you think

If you look at figure 4 in the picture above, we simply add wedges either inside the shoe or between the cleat and the bottom on the shoe ( location depends on numerous factors ) , to keep the foot in a more natural position and prevent tibial rotation from occuring, therefore spreading the load more evenly across the ball of the foot relieving the pressure on the outside of the foot.

Good insoles like eSoles when fitted correctly will also stop tibial rotation resulting from over pronation and also relieve foot pressure.

If your feet are not happy on the bike, you will not be happy on the bike

If you have unhappy feet consider having a foot assessment done.

OH... by the way, this service is also included as an integral part of our full bike fitts.

Great Riding




 



Monday, July 23, 2012

TORONTO TRIATHLON FESTIVAL " BIG RESULTS FROM SOME OF OUR ATHLETES "

 Toronto, Ont hosted its inaugural Urban Triahlon on July 22, 2012, which also served as the 2012 Canadian Championships for the Duathlon, as well as a Qualifier for the World Triathlon Championships for 2013 in London, England, for Olympic and Sprint distance Two qualification spots for 2013 Worlds were available for each age group, so there was a lot on the line.

TOP FINISH RESULTS GO OUT TO ALLISON CHISHOLM WHO FINISHED 2ND OVERALL IN THE WOMENS DIVISION  AND 1ST IN HER AGE GROUP AT THE OLYMPIC  DISTANCE IN A TIME OF 2:16:24.  OH BY THE WAY  ALLISON HAD THE FASTEST BIKE SPLIT IN THE ENTIRE WOMENS DIVISION COVERING THE 4O KM'S IN 1:04:57

                                                       WAY TO GO ALLISON  !!!!!






SUE YORKE FINISHED 4TH IN HER AGE GROUP, COMING OFF A 6.5 HR RIDE THE PREVIOUS DAY. SHE IS IN TRAINING FOR IRONMAN AND WAS OFF ON A RUN AFTER THE RACE WAS OVER . 


TOP HONOURS IN THE DUATHLON GO OUT TO CAROLYN SILVEY WHO FINISHED 5TH OVERALL IN THE WOMENS DIVISION AND 1ST IN HER AGE GROUP, ANOTHER FANTASTIC RESULT ( Unfortunately Carolyn was not available for a photo )







Friday, July 20, 2012

RESULTS JUST KEEP GETTING BETTER FOR FITT 1ST SPONSORED PRO MIRANDA TOMENSON - BHARADWAJ

WHAT CAN WE ALL SAY BUT  " WOW " FOR MIRANDA'S PERFORMANCE IN THE AMICA 70.3 ON JULY 8TH IN PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND

3RD PLACE !!!!  PRO DIVISION

IN THE FIRST 3 RACES THAT MIRANDA HAS COMPETED IN AS A 1ST YEAR PRO, SHE HAS FINISHED 8TH, 5TH AND NOW 3RD,  JUST AN INCREDIBLE PERFORMANCE

MIRANDA WILL TAKE THE NEXT FEW WEEKS OFF FOR TRAINING AND RECOVERY AND WILL BE BACK RACING IN AUGUST

LOCAL MOUNTAIN BIKER RACES 3 HRS AFTER HIS BIKE FIT AT FITT 1ST

Hi Scott,

I really enjoyed working with you today and will definitely recommend your services, I'm sure I'll be back in the future with a new ride to set up.

I wanted to inform you that the mountain setup seemed to help my performance immensely tonight, especially considering it was a big night for climbing (up the WALL OF PAIN 3 times).

I beat the 2 guys who normally beat me however a couple of expert riders showed so I didn't end up winning overall but I was very satisfied with my performance.

The position felt more in control, faster, and overall I didn't fatigue and fade nearly as bad as normal.

So again thx and I look forward dealing you in the future.

Cheers Jeff Lee

Tuesday, July 3, 2012

EARLY SEASON GREAT RESULTS FOR PRO TRIATHLETE MIRANDA TOMENSON - BHARADWAJ

BIG congratulations are in order for first year PRO Triathlete Miranda Tomenson - Bharadwaj from Toronto, who has posted great results in her first 2 Ironman 70.3 races of the year.  8th in the Mooseman 70.3 on June 3, 2012 at Newfound Lake, New Hampshire, USA with a time of 4:56:06 and  4th in the Mont Tremblant 70.3 on June 24, 2012 at Mont Tremblant, Quebec, Canada with a time of 4:40:58.

FITT 1ST is a proud sponsor and official bike fitter of Miranda in her quest for excellence.

FASTASTIC EFFORT MIRANDA  ......   CHEERS TO YOU !!