Enjoy riding your bike even more after a bike fit

“As far as upgrades go for you bike…… you could increase your performance no end and be more comfortable on your bike, enjoy your riding more and to me that’s well worth it” Quote from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwMHp38Uugs

You could be able to ride faster, for longer and in greater comfort if your body and bike are working in harmony. The bike fitter looks for the best fit between you and your bike assessing the contact points of your feet, saddle and hands and analysing the movement and position of your body in between these contact points.

You may be experiencing pain, numbness, pins and needles when riding your bike or as you finish a ride. Riding a bike should not cause these sensations. You could be more comfortable if you and your bike work together in harmony. Your pain could be eliminated allowing you to ride further or for longer pain free.

Physiotherapy led physical assessment

Historically bike fitting was carried out by people in the bike sales industry. A detailed understanding of the movement of the human body and how it applies to the action of cycling is important. This allows us to assess you as an individual with your own movement patterns taken into consideration. Your Positive Pedalling bike fitter, Gill Arnett, has over 25 years experience as a physiotherapist and therefore has a good understanding of human movement.

Adjustments to the bike increase your comfort and efficiency and could increase your power output

Who benefits form a bike fit?

Anyone who rides a bike could potentially benefit whether they are an elite racer, a commuter, a leisure rider on any type of bike.

You may seek a bike fit if you have a specific issue that is niggling you as you ride. It can really ruin a ride if you are distracted by pain or irritation. This could be chafing, knee pain, back pain, shoulder pain or pins and needles or numbness. These issues could lead to injury. One of the reasons to get a bike fit is to prevent injury from riding.

You may be training for a specific event such as a sportive ride and want to be more comfortable or more efficient. A bike fit can help you understand the relationship between your body and the bike.

How you should expect the fit to go

Once you have decided a bike fit is for you and booked an appointment you will receive a detailed questionnaire to complete. This is to assist in the interview part of the fit. The fit will last 2.5 – 3 hours

Interview – this is to help your fitter understand the kind of riding you do and any lifestyle or injury issues that may impact on the position that will best suit you on the bike.

Physical assessment – before getting onto the bike your physiotherapist bike fitter will go through a detailed physical assessment looking at your strength, ranges of movement and any limitations to movement.

Cleats – before getting onto the bike your fitter will look at your shoes and cleat positions

Analysis of riding – you will be asked to get onto the bike and ride without thinking too much about it; ride as you would normally. You will be assessed visually, and measurements will be taken. Video may be used to give you some feedback. Attention will be paid to anything that was highlighted in the questionnaire, interview, or physical assessment.

Adjustments – adjustments may be made to your foot position by moving cleats, adding shims or wedges, your saddle height and set back and your handlebar reach and stem angle.

Re-analysis of riding – you will be assessed in the new position. Even small adjustments can make a significant difference to comfort, efficiency, and power. They will also reduce the risk of injury from riding.

Recommendations – you will be offered recommendations of exercises that would improve your physical performance both on and off the bike.

Report – you will receive a report with the measurements of the bike and any components recommended to purchase e.g. saddle, stem etc. The report will include any exercises recommended to you by your physiotherapist fitter.

Cost £225

Future follow ups at £65 per hour

You will need to book another appointment if you want another bike assessing for you.

Please remember bike fitting is not a one off, it is an ongoing process. Your body changes and adapts to the stresses and exercises is is subject to and this will alter the interaction with your bike.

A bike fit is a ‘best fit’ and compromise of many factors and may take some getting used to. If something does not feel right after your fit and you have ridden a few times please call for a chat and book a review appointment if necessary.

To Book Please email Gill on [email protected]

Please find Positive Pedalling on facebook and like our page

Testimonials

“We had such a good time in Ireland! I am so glad I got a fit beforehand, it was the most challenging but brilliant riding I’ve ever done. I can highly recommend Mizen Head and Healy’s Pass if you’ve never been round there, the most brilliant scenic climbs and of course descents! No niggles apart from what you’d expect after almost 300 miles and some intense climbing! I’ve never been able to stand up climb before, but I was doing so confidently on the trip which makes sense thinking about the increase in stability achieved, so another great result from the fit.” Tamsin

“The bike fit was amazing. Believe it or not, I had no saddle pain at all. Obviously a few niggles started to appear but that was at about 90 miles in! ” Matty, riding the Fred Whitton

I had been considering a bike fit for some time and was attracted to Positive Pedalling because of Gill’s physio background. Like many cyclists, I have a few legacy injuries and wanted them professionally considered as part of the fit. Having had my fitting session this afternoon, I am only too happy to recommend Positive Pedalling. The session lasted 2 1/2 hours and was thorough and precise. Gill firstly went through a clearly structured programme of physical assessment informed by the content of my pre-appointment questionnaire. This was followed by video analysis and measurement on the bike. The results of the fit were clearly explained and made sense to me. Overall, Gill’s professionalism and easy manner made me feel comfortable throughout and I believe the experience was highly beneficial. She even made an adaptation to my shoe there and then – it felt like I had an extra gear on the ride home! Jonathan

I have just had an absolutely game changing experience with a bike fit by Gill. I have struggled for years with niggles and discomfort on the bike and tried many things to make myself more comfortable and efficient on my bike. I finally made the decision to go for a bike fit and I am so glad I did. Gill was simply outstanding making the entire experience flow, her knowledge and ability to explain made it such an educational and pleasurable experience. I was so excited to try out my new position and went on a ride I have done 100’s of times and no surprise achieved 12 Strava new pb’s and felt so much more powerful and efficient on the bike. I cannot recommend Gill high enough, don’t struggle on your own and go see Gill asap, I should have done this ages ago! Craig 16.08.23

Demi, Oldham

"The service I have received from Gill has been amazing. She is a very knowledgeable person and very caring and wants only best for the person she is helping. She shows compassion and strives to help improve a persons quality of life. I would highly recommend as she is brilliant at the job she does!"

Neil Stirk

I've been working with Positive Positioning for circa 4 years now to improve my physical and general wellbeing and I highly recommend their services. I reached the stage where I desperately needed help, although I was initially very weary as previous errors in my treatment by other medical professionals led to my conditions worsening, I was immediately put at ease on meeting Gill.

She spoke to me with professionalism, was genuinely interested in my problems, and more importantly, treated me like the person I am, not just a patient. During this conversation, seemingly little things had been picked up on, even without physical examination, such as my pelvic positioning, that was contributing to my pain. Gill contacted the relevant ppl to get my wheelchair adjusted to sort this problem and it made a massive difference. It was this expertise and eye for detail that was used to improve many areas of my life, often with only small adjustments turning out to be life changing.

When products from external companies were required to improve my conditions, Gill and Positive Positioning were on hand to liaise and attend appointments with suppliers, to ensure the correct equipment was supplied for my needs and prevent me from becoming a victim of the 'hard sell'. Gill and Positive Positioning are always willing to go the extra mile to help out and with my issues being degenerative, it is great to know I can contact them when needed and be confident I will receive the help required.

Coincidentally, I undergo hydrotherapy on a regular basis, where I see Gill and many of her other clients, and the working relationship, and humour that accompanies it, which means so much to me, is apparent with all under her care. I would like to thank Gill and her team for all the support I have received so far and am confident I will continue to receive the help I need in the future. Thank you Positive Positioning.

Caroline Poskitt

"Thank you so much for making a difference to our clients wellbeing. I Can honestly say that I have noticed a difference in the last two weeks, not only the service users looking and acting more healthy but our staff are in high spirits and getting a lot out of your sessions. You have really made a difference for the better and we look forward to the future of helping more of our clients to achieve a higher level of fitness and more durability in their joints."
Deputy Manager, Mental Health & Physical Impairment, Leeds Adult Social Care

Ian, Leeds

"Following a stroke in Nov 2012 which resulted in the loss of use of my left side, I had the statutory ten weeks NHS physio. Not wanting to regress, I went on-line to find a neuro physio. Gill had excellent reviews and has worked with me now for seventeen months with great improvement in my ability. Gill also helped to obtain a stand aid which has been a great bonus. I strongly recommend Gill Arnett as an excellent and very friendly professional."

Chris Wainmann, LLB

"Gill is very approachable and immediately gives you the confidence to know that any problem with posture will be solved. Having Cerebral Palsy and therefore sitting in a powered wheelchair all the time, I was constantly leaning to one side. Gill visited me at home, did a thorough assessment and concluded that my pelvis needed more support. I now have a specially designed and purpose made pressure cushion. I sit more evenly which means more comfortably and I also have much less of a problem with pressure sores. Gill is happy to come back in the future and check that all is well. I have no hesitation in recommending her to anyone with a posture problem. She has made such a difference to my life."

MS of Leeds 2016

"When Louise Haigh (Stroke Co-ordinator) visited me she recommended Positive Positioning for some neuro-physiotherapy. I spoke to Gill who was very helpful, and then to Jan, who said the treatment would be in my own home — this made all the difference to me. And what a difference it has all made!

From the start Jan has been professional, efficient, friendly, encouraging and totally reliable. For ages I felt ‘in limbo’, but having a plan of action led to motivation to do the exercises which were hard, but I persevered, and was encouraged to realise I was improving. I was ‘stretched’ by an increase in repetitions, more exercises, less support. We talked about other things happening in my life, and worked on holistic coping strategies. I feel my confidence has improved and to a large extent have ‘got my life back’. My posture has certainly improved: friends have commented on it.

It doesn’t all come to a sudden halt after the visits. I'm working on my ‘maintenance programme’ of daily exercises to keep up the work Jan started. I'll be forever grateful for Jan’s amazing teaching, reasoning, good communication, wide knowledge of physiotherapy applied to my situation - all with her positive outlook."

E in Normanton

"I always have a fantastic experience at my physiotherapy sessions. I've had sessions with my therapists Gill and Jan for many months now. They are knowledgeable and took the time to understand and be attentive to my needs. I have always felt at ease with them, supported and encouraged throughout my treatment, and I am steadily making progress with them. They will ensure they work you hard to challenge you and get the most out of the time during the sessions. Thanks to their expertise, I've regained some mobility and confidence in my body. I highly recommend their services to anyone seeking top-notch physiotherapy care!"