The Fit Institute Slowtwitch (FIST) is designed to provide bike fit professionals with the tools they need to properly fit a triathlete and bike enthusiast to his or her sport or racing bicycle. The FIST certification provides graduates with every knowledge-based tool they need to execute a perfect fit for each tri-specific, or bike customer.

It is true that there is no correct position, nor even a correct range, for every multisport customer. But yes, in fact there is a specific, measurable, precise way to ride a tri bike. It is not a universal position, but it is the typical position chosen by the best athletes, just like there is a typical position for road racing. The efficency of this position is measurable, and it is provable (and we measure and prove it in FIST workshops). The difference is that the typical tri position is aggressive, and requires a degree of athleticism above that which is required for standard road riding. Almost everyone can achieve a typical road position. A smaller percentage can achieve the typical tri position . Because of this, and since triathletes as a group span a wider range of athletic abilities, tri-specific positions can vary greatly.

The trick for the fitter is to qualify the customer and discover where along that gradient he or she lies; then to know how to properly position the customer according to his or her degree of athleticism; and finally how to suggest the appropriate bike(s), aerobars, etc., for each person. And, yes, we absolutely do believe in the concept of steep seat angles for the appropriate customer.

At some point you must actually get around to measuring bikes, body angles, and the like. And, a FIST fit is not simply a process where a fitter helps an athlete find any old position that feels comfortable. Far from it. The end result of a properly executed bike fit is a position that conforms to a very narrow set of pre-determined specs, measured both as angles formed by the body, and points on the bike.

FIST accredidation validates to the customer that you are a tri-bike fit professional.

Courtesy, Dan Empfield, SlowTwitch