Cycling is more than just a form of exercise; for many, it’s a passion, a lifestyle, and a means to achieve personal goals. Whether you’re an avid cyclist preparing for your next big race or a weekend rider looking to improve your comfort and performance, having a bike that fits you perfectly is crucial. Andrew Budge, a seasoned expert with over 20 years of experience in professional bike fitting, offers a comprehensive and personalised bike fitting service at Livefit Australia in Perth. This article delves into the details of what makes his service exceptional and why investing in a professional bike fit is a wise decision for any cyclist.

The Importance of a Professional Bike Fit

A well-fitted bike is the cornerstone of an enjoyable and efficient cycling experience. Proper bike fitting not only enhances your comfort but also optimises your pedaling efficiency and power output, while significantly reducing the risk of injury. Misalignment or improper setup can lead to discomfort, pain, and even long-term injuries that could hinder your cycling goals. This is where Andrew Budge’s expertise comes into play.

Why Choose Andrew Budge?

Andrew Budge has dedicated over two decades to perfecting the art and science of bike fitting. His experience spans working with medical professionals, athletes, leading bike brands, and a diverse range of cyclists. Andrew’s approach is not just about adjusting your bike; it’s about understanding you as a cyclist—your goals, your body mechanics, your history of injuries, and your aspirations. This deep understanding allows him to tailor the bike fitting process to your unique needs, ensuring that every adjustment is purposeful and beneficial.
What’s Included in Andrew Budge’s Bike Fitting Service?

Andrew Budge’s bike fitting service is comprehensive, covering every aspect of your cycling setup. Here’s what you can expect during a session:

1. In-Depth Consultation

The bike fitting process begins with an extensive consultation. Andrew takes the time to understand your cycling application, medical history, and physical condition. This includes discussing any past injuries, your cycling experience, and your goals—whether they relate to performance gains, injury prevention, or overall comfort. By getting to know you and your cycling habits, Andrew can tailor the bike fit to best meet your needs.

2. Physical Evaluation

Before making any adjustments to your bike, Andrew conducts a thorough physical evaluation. This step is crucial in understanding your body’s biomechanics and physical conditioning. The evaluation includes:

Body Measurements: Accurate measurements are taken to tailor the bike setup to your specific body dimensions.
Stability Assessment: Your core stability is evaluated to ensure optimal support and balance on the bike.
Gait Analysis: Andrew analyses your walking pattern to detect any imbalances or issues that could affect your cycling.
Range of Motion Assessment: Your flexibility and joint mobility are assessed to determine the best bike position for your body.

3. Foot and Pedal Interface

A critical aspect of bike fitting is ensuring that your feet are properly aligned with the pedals. Andrew pays particular attention to this area, as it significantly impacts your pedaling dynamics, performance, and comfort. The foot and pedal interface assessment includes:

Foot Measurement: Andrew measures the size of your feet, the angle of your forefoot, and the height of your arches to ensure an accurate fit.
Shoe Advice: Based on these measurements, Andrew provides recommendations for the best shoe design to offer optimal support and comfort.
Cleat Positioning: The pedal cleats are adjusted to the correct position to ensure efficient power transfer and reduce the risk of injury.

4. Bike Adjustment

Once the physical evaluation and foot assessment are complete, Andrew makes the necessary adjustments to your bike. These adjustments are based on the data collected during the evaluation and are aimed at achieving the optimal riding position for you. This process involves:

Bike Setup: Adjustments are made to the saddle height, handlebar position, and other components to reflect your new, optimal position.
Component Recommendations: If necessary, Andrew advises on and fits any new components that may be required to achieve the best possible setup.
Detailed Report: After the fitting, you receive a full report containing the recommended setup for your bicycle, a record of all adjustments made, and details of any component changes.

5. Ongoing Support

Andrew’s service doesn’t end with the bike fitting session. He offers ongoing support to ensure that you continue to benefit from the adjustments made. This includes:

Posture Advice: Guidance on maintaining the correct posture while riding to prevent discomfort and improve efficiency.
Strength and Conditioning Guidance: Personalised advice to enhance your cycling performance and support your overall fitness.
Follow-Up Adjustments: As you adapt to your new bike setup, Andrew is available for any follow-up adjustments that may be necessary.

The Benefits of a Professional Bike Fit

Investing in a professional bike fit with Andrew Budge offers numerous benefits that can greatly enhance your cycling experience. These benefits include:

1. Improved Efficiency and Performance

A bike that fits you well allows you to transfer power more efficiently, leading to improved performance. Whether you’re aiming to shave minutes off your time trial or simply ride more comfortably, a professional bike fit can help you achieve your goals.

2. Injury Prevention

Improper bike setup can lead to overuse injuries, such as knee pain, lower back discomfort, or numbness in the hands and feet. By ensuring that your bike is correctly fitted to your body, Andrew helps to reduce the risk of these injuries, allowing you to enjoy your rides without the worry of pain or discomfort.

3. Enhanced Comfort

Comfort is key to enjoying your rides, especially on long-distance or endurance rides. A professional bike fit ensures that you’re in a position that is both powerful and comfortable, making your time on the bike more enjoyable.

4. Personalised Advice

Andrew’s extensive experience means that you’re not just getting a bike fit—you’re getting access to a wealth of knowledge. His personalised advice on training, technique, and component selection is invaluable in helping you achieve your cycling aspirations.
Specialised Bike Fitting for Triathletes and Time Trialists

Triathlon and time trial bike fitting present unique challenges that require a delicate balance between power, aerodynamics, and comfort. Whether you’re preparing for an Ironman triathlon, a time trial, or a pursuit race in the velodrome, Andrew’s expertise ensures that your bike fit is tailored to meet the demands of your event.
The Triathlon Bike Fit Process

Triathlon bike fitting is particularly complex due to the need to balance the aerodynamic position with the ability to comfortably run off the bike. Andrew’s approach to triathlon bike fitting involves:

Aerodynamic Optimization: Ensuring that your position on the bike is as aerodynamic as possible without sacrificing comfort or power output.
Transition Efficiency: Adjusting your position to facilitate a smooth transition from cycling to running, which is crucial in triathlon events.
Component Selection: Advising on the best components, such as aero bars and saddles, that complement your triathlon setup.

Time Trial Bike Fitting

Time trial bike fitting focuses on achieving the most aerodynamic position while maintaining power output and comfort over the duration of the event. Andrew’s time trial bike fitting includes:

Position Refinement: Adjusting your position to minimize drag while ensuring you can sustain the effort required for the duration of the time trial.
Equipment Recommendations: Suggesting the best equipment, such as aero helmets, wheels, and skinsuits, to further enhance your aerodynamic profile.

Client Testimonials: What Cyclists Are Saying

Andrew Budge’s bike fitting service has garnered praise from cyclists of all levels. Here are some testimonials from satisfied clients:

Matt Genevieve: “I really enjoyed the bike fitting with Andrew. He took a history, so many measurements, assessed my flexibility, how my career affected by posture, future race plans, strengths and weaknesses. I don’t doubt that he was also observing and understanding a lot more than I was verbally communicating. Andrew also made recommendations with regards to other attributes that I should consider working upon and a number of options and people that could help. I’m now more comfortable on the bike in the aero position, more stable at high speed, riding faster and more efficiently, and my running legs feel less fatigued, even after a 90Km race sim. Well worth it from a performance perspective and injury prevention. I strongly recommend visiting Budgie—he’s a bike and athlete jedi super wizard!”

Rob Pouw: “So glad I had Andrew fitting and recommending both my roadie and time trial bike as an independent fitter. Never any niggles while riding, or when running off the bike. Highly recommended if you’re looking for someone who really cares about what’s best for you as an athlete. Thanks Andrew!”

These testimonials highlight the transformative impact that a professional bike fit with Andrew Budge can have on your cycling performance and enjoyment.
Book Your Professional Bike Fit Today

If you’re ready to take your cycling to the next level, book a professional bike fitting with Andrew Budge at Livefit Australia. Whether you’re a competitive athlete or a casual rider, Andrew’s expertise will help you achieve the perfect bike setup, ensuring that every ride is comfortable, efficient, and injury-free.

Visit Livefit Australia’s booking page to schedule your bike fitting session today. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to call 1800 861 161 for more information.
Conclusion

A professional bike fit is one of the best investments you can make in your cycling journey. With Andrew Budge’s 20 years of experience, you can trust that you’re in expert hands. His personalised, comprehensive approach ensures that your bike is tailored to your unique needs, helping you ride better

Riding a bike that is correctly fitted to you will improve your pedalling efficiency, power output, and comfort. A proper bike fit involves several key variables, including accurate measurements to determine the fitting protocol, a biomechanical and postural analysis to guide adjustments, and a discussion to assess factors such as training age, experience, and medical history.

Considering the cost of a new bike, a bike fit is a smart investment. It’s advisable to have this consultation before purchasing your bike. This way, not only will your bike be fitted to you correctly, but you will also ensure that you’ve bought the right bike.

Unfortunately, I’ve had many clients come to me after purchasing the wrong bike or components, which can be a costly mistake.

A bike fit is the process of optimizing the rider’s position to improve power, efficiency, and comfort on the bike. It’s increasingly common for cyclists to experience back, knee, or saddle pain if they are not set up correctly.

A bike fit is beneficial for anyone who cycles, particularly if you’re uncomfortable on the bike or have sustained an injury. The goal of a bike fit is to maximize performance, prevent injuries, improve efficiency, and increase your enjoyment when riding.

Why Get a Bike Fit?

Though it may seem counterintuitive, the best time to get a bike fit is before you buy the bike. Understanding which brands, models, sizes, and specific components suit you best will ensure that the bike you purchase is the right fit for you.

Another good reason to get a bike fit is if you’re training for an event or goal. Being in the optimal position before ramping up your training can yield significant benefits.

Finally, if you’re experiencing pain or discomfort while riding, a bike fit can help alleviate these issues by adjusting the bike to suit your unique riding position. Not to mention the reassurance that you are riding in the best possible position for your training goals or cycling events.

What Should You Look for in a Bike Fit?

When seeking a bike fit in Perth, you’ll find many options, which can make it challenging to differentiate between styles.

A professional bike fit is typically conducted with you on the bike, mounted on a trainer. Experienced fitters with an eye for detail can make significant adjustments, often using technology to guide their decisions. The measurements taken can then be applied to your current bike or a new bike you plan to purchase.

Some bike fitters use technology to record your previous and adjusted riding positions, allowing them to monitor the differences. In some cases, key points on the body are marked for critical measurements, such as knee angle and extension. This data provides evidence to guide the fitting process and shows you the impact of minor adjustments.

What to Expect at a Bike Fit

The best bike fits begin with a discussion about your goals, training, injuries, and any discomfort you’re experiencing.

Next, the fitter should assess your core strength and flexibility, as these factors influence the riding position you can maintain comfortably.

Afterward, your cycling shoes and cleats will be evaluated to ensure they’re correctly positioned. If your cleats are worn, it’s a good idea to bring a fresh pair to get the most life out of them after fitting. The fitter will then assess your riding position and make optimizations to improve it.

Following the fitting, you’ll receive a document with your measurements. Keep this on file, especially if you need to adjust or take your bike apart later. Remember, it may take some time to fully adapt to your new position, so provide feedback after spending time in the saddle for any necessary adjustments.

Do I Need a Bike Fit?

If you experience back, neck, knee, or saddle pain, or numbness in your feet or hands, your riding position may not be right for you. I can fit all types of bikes, whether road, triathlon, time trial, cyclocross, mountain bike, or hand cycling bikes, and I have extensive experience with special needs requirements as well.
Professional Perth Bike Fit

I offer professional bike fitting services in Perth that significantly improve comfort, efficiency, and injury prevention, making your cycling experience more enjoyable.

You’ll get the most out of your current bike, or I can help you find a bike that is best suited to your body type and riding goals.

I provide Perth’s most comprehensive and detailed bike fitting service, catering to all types of bikes and cyclists of all levels. With over 20 years of professional experience in bike fitting, I’m here to ensure you achieve the best results.

What is the best gym in Bassendean?

Are you looking for the best value personal training or a 24/7 gym that is affordable and friendly for all fitness levels? Then Livefit Australia at Bassendean Oval is for you!

We are a not-for-profit enterprise aiming to improve the health, fitness and nutrition of our community through our wide variety of services which include personal training, coaching services, professional bike fitting, physiotherapy, nutrition advice and many more.

Our 1-on-1 training follows a holistic approach to meeting the needs of our clients and includes advanced training programmes, nutrition advice and monitoring, massage therapies and much more.

Why is Livefit the Best Gym in Bassendean?

• Affordable fitness – 24/7 gym access costing only $9.99/week
• No lock-in contracts, no sign-up fees, no-nonsense
• Over 30 years of 1-On-1 training experience
• Established in 1990 and still going strong!

Get Started Today!

If you are based in Bassendean or any of the surrounding suburbs like South Guildford, Guildford, Ashfield, Bayswater, or Eden Hill then Livefit Australia is for you.

We’re conveniently located within the grounds of Bassendean Oval, so come and say hello at 140 Old Perth Road, Bassendean. We’re available by phone 1800 861 161 or by email hello@livefitaustralia.com whenever you need us.

Overview

To ensure that you’re going to get the best out of your training, respect the following training principles:
• Overload
• Progression
• Specificity
• Variation
• Reversibility.

Overload

If you want to improve or enhance a particular ability?, it is important to apply the principle of overload. This means that you must work with exercises/intervals/training stimuli with a greater workload than what is usually performed. The old quote rings true here!
‘If you do what you’ve always done, you’ll get what you’ve always got!’

Both progression and Overload can be achieved by adopting the FITT approach to Training.

Frequency – how often the training stimuli is performed?
Intensity – how hard you train (easy, moderate, hard/measurable)
Time – duration of exercise/training stimuli.
Type – the type of training performed? (cardio, strength, flexibility etc).

Specificity

The principle of specificity means that in order to improve a particular skill that Skill must be practised. ‘Practise makes perfect’.
Training performed should be relevant and appropriate to the activity. Training progresses from general conditioning to specific training for improvement of particular skills/abilities required in that sport.

Variation

The principle of variation means that variety in training protocols/methods is more likely to yield gains in performance. Specifically, training programs should include variation in intensity, duration and volume of practice.

One of the better examples of variability is by training in phases. Typically, an annual training plan includes phases of training for transition to training, general conditioning, intensive sport-specific work, in-season maintenance, and an off-season regimen. Training in phases is called periodisation.

Periodisation was devised by Tudor Bompa and has been used by Eastern Bloc Coaches for over 50 years. Macro-cycles (e.g. Year), mesocycles (e.g. month), and micro-cycles (e.g. week) include planned changes in exercises, intensity, volume, and other training variables that target the athlete’s goals to ensure peaking at the competitive end of the season.

Reversibility

Reversibility refers to the loss of fitness/condition etc with cessation of training stimuli.
‘If you don’t use it, you lose it’. Ideally, it’s best to try to do short maintenance training sessions if a long break from training occurs. This way the ‘detraining’ effect (loss of fitness) is minimised.

Get In Touch

If you would like to learn more about our coaching services please get in touch:
Andrew Budge – Head Livefit Australia Coach
andrew@livefitaustralia.com
(08) 9377 3554 or 0421811938

Perth Bike Fitting Specialist

Our consult is for cyclists who would like to optimise their riding position in order to improve efficiency and comfort.

What does a bike fitting include?

In-depth consultation – detailing the cycling application, medical history – injuries, physical assessment, goals, and experience of the cyclist, from both a cycling and exercise perspective, as it relates to performance gains.

Detailed anthropometrical measurements recorded. Positional changes made.

Recommendations for components and rationale explained for positioning adjustments.

Training/cycling technique advice for the cyclist (consultancy is functional – technique assessment monitored during bike fit process/adjustments)

A printout of the critical measurements for the cyclist is provided for future reference.

Andrew Budge has over 20 years of professional bike fitting experience.
Price: $249.00

Purchase a Bike Fitting

Questions? Call us for more information on our bike fitting service: 1800 861 161

Overview

Improving Fitness is not all about training harder. The key equation is as follows: training + recovery = adaptation (fitness improvement).
The second part of this equation is all too often neglected. Following are some tips to improve this part of the equation.

Helpful Tips

It is important to adopt protocols to ensure quick recovery between your training sessions, post-exercise/training.

Use the following tips immediately after endurance training or a hard training session (40-60mins):
1. Rehydrate with carbohydrate-based sports drink within 15-20 Mins
2. Cooldown – light aerobic activity for 5 mins
3. Static stretch
4. Ensure that you consume 500-600mls of Water in the 60 mins post session.
5. Consume small higher carbohydrate meals regularly throughout the day to replenish energy stores.

Athletes who weigh in excess of 75kgs need 75 to 150 grams (300 to 600 calories) of carbohydrates repeatedly every two hours, for six hours. Plan ahead and have the right foods and fluids readily available for frequent snacking after training. Try to avoid consuming junk fast food like burgers, fries, fried food and other high-fat choices, that fail to refuel your muscles.

Warm/Cold Water Bath Therapy

During ‘contrast’ therapy, soak a recovering body part in cold water (8-10°C) until it’s cold (1-2 Mins), then immediately transfer it to warm water until it warms up. Repeat this cycle of contrast baths 4-5 times (1-2mins each).

Contrast baths are used to increase the blood flow in a localised area. Contrast therapy alternates dilation with constriction. This increases the blood flow to the targeted areas, which may stimulate healing and muscle recovery. It also acts as a counterirritant, which reduces muscle soreness.

Heat (or hot baths) should not be used on swollen areas, on recent injuries, or immediately after exercise. Ice baths are best performed once body Temperature is normalised. (2-3 Hrs post Session)

Foam Roller

Foam rolling, sometimes called self-myofascial release, lets you massage muscle knots or trigger points, and may even help prevent the formation of scar tissue.

Active Recovery Workouts

Low-intensity exercise, on an off day (Rest Day), especially after an intense workout, will assist with Muscle recovery by flushing the Muscles with oxygenated Blood and removing Lactate from the tissues.

During an active recovery workout, perform a weight supported activity to minimise ground reaction forces/stress on the muscles; e.g. Cycling, Swimming. Make sure your active recovery workout is low in intensity(<60%) and a short duration (15-30 mins), followed by a Static stretch and Foam Roller session and/or Massage.

Get In Touch

Andrew Budge – Head Livefit Australia Coach
andrew@livefitaustralia.com
0421811938

Bike Fitting with Andrew Budge

Our consult is for cyclists who would like to optimise their riding position in order to improve efficiency and comfort.

What’s included in the bike fit?

In-depth consultation – detailing the cycling application, medical history – injuries, physical assessment, goals, and experience of the cyclist, from both a cycling and exercise perspective, as it relates to performance gains.

Detailed anthropometrical measurements recorded. Positional changes made.

Recommendations for components and rationale explained for positioning adjustments.

Training/cycling technique advice for the cyclist (consultancy is functional – technique assessment monitored during bike fit process/adjustments)

A printout of the critical measurements for the cyclist is provided for future reference.

Andrew Budge has over 20 years of professional bike fitting experience.

Purchase a Bike Fitting

Questions? Call us for more information on our bike fitting service: 1800 861 161