Abbey S

I’d categorize myself as an adventure cyclist, and initially approached Power Up Cycling with the goal of physically preparing me for a really big multi-week bike packing event with long repetitive days in the saddle and lots of elevation.  The outcome of the tailored Power Up training plans have manifested themselves through both quantitative and qualitative measures.  Since starting, I’ve frankly surprised myself with the significant and steady gains in my Lactate Threshold and Functional Threshold Power.  Even more gratifying has been when on different occasions, multiple friends started offering unsolicited compliments regarding improvements they’ve noticed during our longer outdoor rides.  BOOM!  I offer my sincere thanks to Jim, Wendy, and all the staff at Power Up.  Give them a call.  You can do it, too.

I did not think that after 22 years of cycling I could improve on the hills, which I have always struggled with, especially being over the age of 50.  With the long cold winter we had this past year, I spent many hours indoors training at Power Up.  The individualized course selections and variety of training kept things interesting, even when I wasn’t sure that what I was doing was challenging enough.  I BELIEVED in Jim and the other coaches, followed the training and accomplished PRs on Schluersburg two weeks in a row, the first after riding 100 miles the day before.  It is possible to improve!

Aquabike Nationals was scheduled in December this year, which made for a long season. Training at Power Up helped me stay consistent throughout the year. Plus, training and travelling with other Power Up athletes made everything more enjoyable! Thanks to Jim’s individualized training plan, I was ready to push the limits on race day, and I crushed my goals.

For a couple of years I watched my training partners slowly improve their cycling times while I stayed stagnant.  The reason?  They were attending classes at Power Up, receiving instruction from Jim and his coaches.  Somewhat reluctantly I decided to give it a go, and after just a few classes I asked myself, “Why did you wait so long?!”  I’m now hitting times I never thought possible.  I actually just posted a PR in the cycling portion of a recent half-Ironman, even though I’m now in my late 50s.

I have been training at Power Up since it opened, 2 classes weekly. As a recreational cyclist, the benefit of my training at Power Up has been immeasurable. For the last 4 years I have ridden multiple week long cycling trips through Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, Wisconsin and the Adirondacks region. I have felt prepared for all of my rides, including climbs of numerous mountain passes, thanks to Power Up. You don’t have to be a racing cyclist or triathlon competitor to reap the rewards of training with Jim and his excellent coaching staff. Plus, it’s FUN!!

I have been coached by Power Up for the past 10+ years. Each year, my results in all facets of multisport have continued to improve. This past year, I set PR’s in the ½ Ironman triathlon, 40km time trial, and most recently ½ Ironman distance Aquabike. I credit the coaches at Power Up and the personalized training plan they put together for me for these continuous improvements. Thank you Power Up!

Getting a bike fit with Jim is like getting glasses for the first time, but better.

I came to Jim with a bike that I considered to fit quite well.  I left the three hour session with a much smoother cadence, more power, and a MUCH more comfortable riding position.  The body motion camera removes a lot of guess work from the process but it’s Jim’s experience and hardcore attention to detail that makes this so effective.  My time on the saddle is now pure fun and I regret not doing this years ago.  No matter your level of experience, make the most of your time on the saddle and get fitted.  Money well spent.

I am thoroughly impressed and thankful for the expertise Jim and his team bring to STL cycling.  Their personal attention to fully evaluate my physiological performance on the bike through lactate threshold testing and power testing established the data set to customize a personalized training program.  This evidenced based and scientific approach to designing a training program substantially improved both my endurance and power.  Power Up Cycling has demystified how a proper and cost effective training program is designed to improve one’s performance.  I cannot thank you all enough and I look forward to continuing my training with Power Up Cycling!

Jim and the coaches at Power UP Cycling have been a HUGE help to me this past year. I used to think training was riding often and going as hard as I could. Year after year, my cycling never improved. One conversation with Jim and I was sold. A few months into training I jumped back into the racing scene. With only a few months of training, I was seeing solid results. Jim and his team built a training plan around my goals that was tailored to me. This often meant adjusting as life events came up, which for those of us with busy personal lives and careers, is so important. Having knowledgeable coaches that understand you and the training flexibility a busy life requires is what differentiates Jim and the coaches at Power Up Cycling.

For 6 months, all my training was inside the center. I felt strong but had no idea how this would translate to the road. My first outside ride was the 75 mile Vino Fondo and it was the best ride of my life. There was a lot of sweat on my part but the key was the personally designed workouts for every client, every session.

I took the Tri-Training Camp offered by Power Up Cycling and the results were amazing. Coaches Jim and Mike took the time to understand the level I was starting at and tailored a program which allowed me to achieve my goal of completing an Ironman 70.3 Triathlon. Not only did I accomplish my goal I set PR’s on the race which I would not have imagined possible before the camp. If you are committed to putting in the effort, Jim and Mike have designed a program which will transform your commitment into results.

Having Jim as a coach has elevated my cycling career at a rate that I did not think was possible. On the bike Jim’s coaching style allows for great improvements in power and fitness. Jim also offers some of the best advice in tactics and race craft that has helped me to reach results that I did not think was possible. The most important trait that Jim has as a coach is his role as a mentor and as a role model for me and the Gateway Devo Team. I look up to Jim not only as my coach but also as a great friend.

I had a great BT Epic race, finishing in 5:13, which is a new personal record by 31 minutes.  Thanks so much for the great training.  I could not have done it without your sage advice.