Physical Therapy Bike Fits
A collaborative process that blends the precision of a professional bike fitter with the clinical insight of a licensed physical therapist.
Why should I get one?
The experience begins with a comprehensive off-the-bike musculoskeletal evaluation by the physical therapist, including assessments of strength, flexibility, joint health, past injuries, and movement quality. From there, the bike fitter works alongside the PT to apply that clinical insight directly to the bike setup—adjusting saddle height, cleat position, reach, drop, and other contact points—ensuring both the bicycle and the body are working in harmony. This team-based approach goes beyond standard fitting systems to build a custom solution around the rider’s unique physical profile and cycling goals.
The value of a PT Fit
The value of a physical therapy fit for a cyclist in pain is substantial. Rather than masking symptoms or making superficial adjustments, a PT fit seeks to uncover why the pain is happening in the first place. Is it due to limited hip mobility? Core weakness? Poor spinal alignment or asymmetry from a past injury? A PT identifies these root causes and treats them directly, both through immediate on-the-bike changes and through corrective exercises, manual therapy, and movement retraining. The goal is not just to alleviate pain during the ride, but to eliminate the pattern of dysfunction causing it—whether it stems from the bike setup, the body itself, or both.
What sets a physical therapy fit apart from traditional fits is the clinical expertise behind it. A PT has the diagnostic training to spot subtle compensations, postural habits, and musculoskeletal imbalances that might go unnoticed in a standard fit. This deeper understanding allows the therapist to address not just the symptoms experienced on the bike, but also off the bike—such as back pain while sitting, hip stiffness during walking, or knee pain with stairs. In this way, a PT bike fit becomes part of a broader treatment plan—helping cyclists not only ride pain-free but move and live better in all areas of life.