PitFit Training Inc.

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East meets West in this fitness class!  Build strength, flexibility, power, and stamina in a class designed by an athlete for athletes.  A dynamic blend of yoga, boxing, cardio, and core strengthening for an intense mind-body fitness experience!  

2-trainers, 1 - class, 0 - excuses!

Kansas City, Kan – PitFit drivers claimed four of the top five starting positions for the Kansas Lottery 100 at Kansas Speedway.

2005 series champion Wade Cunningham claimed pole position on the 1.5 oval.  “I’m really happy to be on the pole,” said Cunningham, who recorded a two-lap average of 187.458 mph (58.3812 seconds) in the No. 11 Lucas Oil/Sam Schmidt Motorsports car. ”I’m just really pleased with the effort that the guys put in.  It was kind of a late deal getting started this season. Being a four-car team, it’s pretty tough to get it all working in the same direction. We’ve made a lot of progress in the past two weekends, but it’s good to come back to an oval. I love oval racing and here we are on the pole.”

Joining Wade on the front row is PitFit newcomer Sebastian Saavedra.  Long Beach winner J.R. Hildebrand starts in position four alongside PitFit’s Pippa Mann. All of these drivers train at PitFit’s facility on the NW side of Indianapolis.

“All of these drivers pit in incredible effort in the gym, focusing on their fitness and reaction skills.  “I’m especially pleased to see Wade on pole,” said PitFit President Jim Leo. “He has never let his training slip, and we actually completely changed his training this last week to give him even more attention”.  “I’m also thrilled with the effort by Pippa Mann”, added Leo who needed to show herself this weekend and did just that.”

About PitFit Training
PitFit Training is the recognized leader in developing driver-specific fitness, nutrition and human-performance programs to expressly address the physical and mental demands of the motorsports industry. PitFit was founded in 1997 by Jim Leo. Leo and the PitFit crew provide fitness training to racers in various series including the Indy Racing League, Atlantic Championship, Firestone Indy Lights Series, Formula BMW, USAC, Karting and more. To schedule an interview, contact Jim Leo at 317-388-1000 or jleo@pitfit.com. To learn more, visit www.pitfit.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NEWS RELEASE
12/10/2008                                                                                                                                    
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               ryan@mphsolutions.us
                                                                                                                                                    

PITFIT TRAINING ANNOUNCES EXCITING PLANS FOR 2009
PitFit, goes to the PRI Show to reveal new pricing, and strategies for the upcoming year
 

INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – PitFit Training, Inc. is announcing plans for the 2009 year including lower pricing plans, and a free workout for new clients. PitFit Training uses it’s state of the art program to focus on each driver’s specific needs for their respective series. This proven format continues to raise the racing fitness levels of some of the greatest drivers in the world.
 
PitFit Training will lower rates in 2009 to meet the economic challenges facing the motorsports industry today. While rates will be lowered, the world class training services offered by PitFit Training will not change with the price drop.
 
“We cater to all levels of athletes at PitFit, and with that being said we have decided to lower our prices to meet our client’s needs in these tough economic conditions,” said Jim Leo, president of PitFit Training, Inc. “We see this as an opportunity to continue our unmatched level of excellence at PitFit, while making it easier for more drivers to join the program.”
 
PitFit Training has trained the winners of the past three Indianapolis 500’s, and plans to continue that pattern of excellence in 2009 with a slightly modified training system. The new system will focus on training classes including professional training in boxing, rock climbing, mixed martial arts, hot power yoga, and several other options.
 
“Our program is unique because we continue to add new and exciting ways for our clients to break through to a higher level of physical preparedness. Our drivers are only restricted by what their car can do, and that is the goal of our program,” said Leo.
 
PitFit Training’s world-renowned training program is now available anywhere in the world to all levels of racecar drivers through the ePitFit.com Online Program. The ePitFit.com program will be available to all drivers at a 15% discount through December 31, 2008. PitFit Training has made it easy for any level of driver to train in the fashion as some of the world’s greatest drivers such as Scott Dixon, Dario Franchitti, Sam Hornish, Jr, and Larry Dixon.
 
“PitFit has given me an edge over my competitors,” said two-time NHRA Top Fuel Champion, Larry Dixon. “To be the best on the track it all starts with what you do off the track, and PitFit supplies the best services and support there is out there.”
 
For more information about PitFit Training’s programs, and rates please visit www.pitfit.com. PitFit Training is the Official Training Program of the Formula BMW Series, and the Team USA Scholarship. PitFit trains clients in IndyCar, NASCAR, NHRA, USAC, and numerous other forms of auto racing.

Indianapolis, IN – PitFit Training (PitFit) today announced Scott Dixon, a PitFit client, won the 2008 IndyCar Series crown. The championship title is Dixon’s second, and just like when he won his first title in 2003, Dixon had to battle Helio Castroneves again. Back then, the margin of victory was 19 points. This year Dixon won by just 17 points.

“This was definitely a stressful championship run,” noted Dixon after his victory celebration. “But Jim Leo and his team did a fantastic job in providing me with opportunities to get away from that stress through the workouts they designed for me. Jim came to the last several races to provide additional support, and he’s already got a plan in place for the 2009 season. After some time off, I’ll be ready to start training for that third championship trophy.”

Dixon won six races this year including the 92nd Running of the Indianapolis 500. His win is the third year in a row where a PitFit Training client has won the Greatest Spectacle In Racing, starting with Sam Hornish, Jr. in 2006. Dario Franchitti won in 2007.

It is also the third year in a row that a PitFit client has climbed atop the IndyCar Champions point’s standings. PitFit clients have won the Series title a total of six times in the last eight years.

“It never gets old winning championships and Indy 500’s,” exclaimed an elated Leo, President of PitFit Training. “I’ve trained Scott longer than any other client, so it’s especially sweet to see him get his second crown. It’s rewarding to see the results of our focused, race-specific training pay off in the form of so many champions, not only in the IndyCar Series but other world class racing series’ as well.”

About PitFit Training
PitFit Training is the recognized leader in developing driver-specific fitness, nutrition and human-performance programs to expressly address the physical and mental demands of the motorsports industry. PitFit was founded in 1997 by Jim Leo. Leo and the PitFit crew provide fitness training to racers in various series including the Indy Racing League, Atlantic Championship, Firestone Indy Lights Series, Formula BMW, USAC, Karting and more. To schedule an interview, contact Jim Leo at 317-388-1000 or jleo@pitfit.com. To learn more, visit www.pitfit.com.

Indianapolis, IN – PitFit Training (PitFit), today announced it is offering another round of Driver Fast Fitness classes beginning September 30, 2008. The classes will be held until December 22, 2008.

The classes have been developed with racers of all ages, in all series, and in all physical condition in mind. Classes are scheduled three days per week, Monday, Wednesday and Friday, with two start times available. Drivers can participate in the 8 am or 12 pm class. Class start times are designed to allow racers to determine their own schedule based on their school, testing or other calendar issues.

“Fall and winter is the perfect time to begin preparing for the next race season,” said PitFit President, Jim Leo. “We are offering these classes to support racers of all calibers during the long winter months so that they can be in top performance shape when race season rolls around next year.”

Each class will be conducted at PitFit Training headquarters in Indianapolis, Indiana. PitFit trainers will take drivers through various activities including boxing, RaceFit steering resistance training, strength training, rock climbing, speed and agility, reaction training, weekly Hot Power Yoga classes and more. The first and last class will include a fitness assessment to determine baseline fitness and final improvements.

All USAC members receive $50 off of registration. Classes fill up quickly and registration ends September 25, 2008.

For more information or to register for a class, visit www.pitfit.com and click on programs.

Indianapolis, IN – PitFit Training (PitFit) today announced Scott Dixon, a PitFit client, won the 92nd running of the Indianapolis 500. This is the third year in a row where a PitFit Training client has won the Indianapolis 500, starting with Sam Hornish, Jr. in 2006. Dario Franchitti won in 2007 and now Dixon. Hornish and Franchitti have gone on to race in NASCAR’s Sprint Cup series.

The 27-year old Dixon led 115 of 200 laps in a race plagued by numerous and lengthy cautions, including two incidents during caution laps. He is the first New Zealander to win the Greatest Spectacle in Racing.

“Obviously we work hard on my conditioning,” noted Dixon of his preparation for the 500. “The Indianapolis 500 is a long race, and I never really felt the fatigue some other drivers might have encountered. Jim has always made sure I was ready for every race, and we will continue the training to stay in position to win the championship.”

PitFit Training has also watched its clients climb atop the IndyCar Champions point’s standings a total of five times since 2001. Hornish won the Championship three times while Dixon and Franchitti have landed first in the point’s race once. Scott Dixon currently leads the point’s race with seven out of 17 races having been completed.

“Having been Scott’s trainer since 1999, this victory has a tremendous amount of personal satisfaction,” noted Jim Leo, Founder and President of PitFit Training. “As with Sam and Dario, winning the Indianapolis 500 involves so many people. All we can do is our job and that means putting our drivers in the best physical condition every time they race. Winning the biggest race in the world is a nice bonus for all that hard work.”

About PitFit Training
PitFit Training is the recognized leader in developing driver-specific fitness, nutrition and human-performance programs to expressly address the physical and mental demands of the motorsports industry. PitFit was founded in 1997 by Jim Leo. Leo and the PitFit crew provide fitness training to racers in various series including the Indy Racing League, Champ Car World Series, Champ Car Atlantics, Indy Pro Series, Formula BMW, USAC, Karting and more. To schedule an interview, contact Jim Leo at 317-388-1000 or jleo@pitfit.com. To learn more, visit www.pitfit.com.

INDIANAPOLIS, May 3 - Whether it’s on four Firestone Firehawks or his own two feet, so far RLR/Andersen Racing’s J.R. Hildebrand is mighty fast at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Hildebrand, a rookie in the Firestone Indy Lights series and its current point leader, finished the 13.1-mile OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon in just 1 hour, 33 minutes and 36 seconds on Saturday. He placed 834th out of more than 35,000 entrants, averaging 7:09 minutes per mile.

The Mini’s 13.1-mile course includes the 2.5-mile Indianapolis Motor Speedway, where Hildebrand will drive RLR/Andersen Racing’s Allied Building Products No. 25 in the Freedom 100 on Friday, May 23. He was second fastest in a series test there on April 11, which was the first time he drove at the Brickyard.

“I ran a sub-7-minute mile for the first five miles to get into the clear, and then slowed a bit until the end,” the 20-year-old native of Sausalito, Calif., said after completing the Mini on Saturday.

He said his only specific training for the event was a 1-hour run on Tuesday. He credited his performance to the overall condition he maintains for auto racing through his regular training program directed by PitFit’s Jim Leo.

“I really owe it to Jim Leo and PitFit Training that I was able to compete and run as well as I did,” Hildebrand said of that company, based at 6835 Guion Road Suite C in Indianapolis, which guides the training of many top race car drivers. “I think the fact that I didn’t train for the event just goes to show how effective the PitFit training program really is.”

Hildebrand finished about 3.5 minutes ahead of another race car driver in the Mini, IndyCar’s Ernesto Viso.

The event is the largest half-marathon in the United States, and the eighth-largest running event in America.

Hildebrand also thanked personnel at both the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and the 500 Festival for helping him with the paperwork that allowed him to compete in the very popular event.

“I wasn’t really sure what I was getting myself into because I hadn’t trained for it and I haven’t run that distance for time before,” he added. “There were a ton of people at the start, so it took a little while to get settled in, but once I got a few miles in I felt pretty good.

“Running onto the speedway grounds was definitely an experience, and having to run all the way around the track really gives one an appreciation for how big the place really is and what we’ll be up against in a few weeks,” he continued. “I was still on a good pace after I got through 10 miles. From there it got a little tougher, but I was able to work through it. I posted a respectable time at the end, although I’m not sure there’s ever been a time that I was happier just to have made it to the end of a race!” he concluded.

To follow Hildebrand and his RLR/Andersen Racing teammate, Andrew Prendeville, see andersenracingteam.com and andersenracepark.com. Hildebrand’s Web site is at jrhildebrandracing.com. PitFit’s Web site is at pitfit.com.

For more information on the Mini, see 500festival.com. IMS’s Web site is at indianapolismotorspeedway.com, and the Firestone Indy Lights’ Web site is at indycar.com/pro.

Indianapolis, Ind. (February 8, 2008) – For more than a decade, renowned fitness trainer Jim Leo has helped race car drivers and other athletes extract their maximum potential by improving their physical and mental capabilities. Last month, as part of his burgeoning commitment to talented young drivers, Leo and his staff at the PitFit Training headquarters in Indianapolis put 2007 Team USA Scholarship winner Patrick Barrett through his paces.

It was an experience the gifted 18-old-year high school senior from Los Osos, Calif., will not soon forget.

“I spent five days straight – boxing, swimming and rock climbing – and worked on improving my weight and cardiovascular training,” recounts Barrett. “Each day I would participate in a different activity, working on different muscles and improving my endurance and strength. Ryan Von Rueden taught and trained me throughout the week, helping me push through as many activities as possible. Each workout was rigorous, as expected, but gave me a good perspective on areas that I can continue to work on throughout the year.

“One of my favorite activities was the boxing class, taught by Kristy Follmar. She is a former professional boxer who was the Indiana Golden Gloves champion in 1999 and 2000, and NABC Featherweight champion in 2002 and 2003. She retired in 2005 and currently hosts boxing classes with PitFit clients. It was the most intense class/workout I’d participated in, but the techniques involved with boxing made it an enjoyable class. You’re constantly moving, conserving your energy until you need it the most, and keeping focused on the target. Of course, you don’t box another opponent in this class, which is what my dad thought. ‘Oh yeah! I knocked out that guy I raced against last week!’ No, we used punching bags… Man, those things are relentless!

“To cap off an exciting and painful week, myself, Ryan and a fellow driver went indoor rock climbing. It had been six or seven years since I had last attempted rock climbing but I was excited about trying a new sport. It was an awesome feeling climbing all over the place, but toward the end of the day, we started getting a little serious and began challenging each other to climb up certain walls. It was all fun and games, but we kept each other busy one-upping each other.

“Overall, it was an enjoyable experience from day one. I learned a lot of new workout activities that I can use at home, and even met up with some drivers in Champ Car Atlantic and Indy Pro. I made a few new friends through PitFit and hope to get more involved with one of the programs they have to offer soon.

“I want to thank Jim Leo for allowing me the opportunity to experience what PitFit has to offer, and Ryan Von Rueden for pushing me and keeping me up and running throughout the routines.”

Other Team USA Scholarship supporters include Doug Mockett & Company, Champ Car World Series, American Honda, Snap-on Stars of Karting, Silicon Salvage, Dyson Racing, Integrated Performance Technology, Pacific Coast Motorsports, Andersen Racing Team, PitFit Training, iRacing.com, AutoRacing1.com, Metalore, Sparco USA, Cooper Tire, Cosworth USA, Champ Car Atlantic, Star Mazda, Buttonwillow Raceway, RACER magazine, FormulaCar Magazine, Pfanner Communications, Speedstar Management, Manifest Group, The Print Network and an array of past Scholarship winners.

For anyone who still doubts that race car drivers are athletes, perhaps they should box a few rounds with Wade Cunningham, row against Scott Dixon, run a triathlon with Tony Kanaan or go on a bicycle ride with Ed Carpenter.

“When you get to the level that IndyCar Series drivers are, you are looking for every competitive edge that you can find,” said PitFit Training president Jim Leo, who has been training Indy-car racing drivers since 1994. “The teams spend vast amount of resources on the car, the engines, the tires and wind tunnel testing. These teams have done everything they can possibly do with the mechanical machine. The next thing you turn to is how to improve the human performance aspect.”

Leo has seen the correlation of cardiovascular conditioning to success on the racetrack.

“In the days long ago, drivers could just get in the car and just drive the car and their pure driving skill would compensate for a lack of physical fitness,” Leo said. “I think that’s how it was in the 1960s and 1970s. When you started to see drivers see the money increase, the resources increase and the technology expand, you started to see this influx of Formula One drivers come over in the mid- to late-1990s and having success. Guys like Mark Blundell and Alex Zanardi and Mauricio Gugelmin and Gil de Ferran. These guys came over and part of their everyday routine was a stringent physical fitness program.”

Leo has worked with drivers in all forms of racing. IndyCar Series and Indy Pro Series drivers currently in his program include Dixon, Cunningham, Darren Manning, CR Crews, Sarah Fisher and Chris Festa.

There are many ways of reaching cardio fitness goals, and the methods are as diverse as the IndyCar Series drivers.

“Every driver has their own particular favorite activities they like,” Leo said. “Cycling is a popular activity with just about every driver. It’s fast-paced. You get somewhere. Sports like cycling are very popular. Running and triathlons have been very popular with our program for a long, long time because you train many different disciplines and it keeps them from getting stale. Rowing is very popular. We do indoor rowing.”

Dixon, the 2003 IndyCar Series champion who nearly won the title last season, has turned the exercise into competition.

“I wouldn’t say I’m an expert rower but I think it is fun,” Dixon said. “It’s four people and that can be fun. My biggest cardio is running by a long shot, then cycling and then rowing. We row on rowing machines. They aren’t even on the water. We do four people for 2,000 meters. We are only on there for a minute-and-a-half each.”

Some others like the hand-eye coordination and cardio benefits of boxing.

“Wade Cunningham likes to spar, but boxing is a huge part of our program,” Leo said. “The physical demands that you encounter with something like cycling or swimming or rowing, the aerobic benefit is huge but boxing offers a very unique kind of training. It develops the core and the shoulder area of the driver, which are two of the biggest areas they use in the race car.”

Helio Castroneves has long included boxing into his overall fitness routine.

“I have to say it’s one of the hardest things you have to do because you are not only applying jumping and pushing but at the same time you are working your shoulders arms and neck,” Castroneves said.

“My normal workout routine is from 9-11 a.m. We normally do stretching, warming up and then go through the normal routine of lifting weights, not as heavy as you want to be a big guy but enough to have endurance and the cardio is doing sprints, 10 times at 100 yard with one- or two-minute rests. That makes a big difference improving your cardiovascular fitness.”

Carpenter likes to get a good workout by averaging 20 miles an hour for 2 hours at a time on his bike.

“That’s the length of our races so it’s a good fit,” Carpenter said. “It’s not too high intensity, it’s like we are in the car and what we face in the car. You are averaging around 20 miles an hour over the ride. I’m more watching the time than how many miles I’m going.

“I think a lot of that comes down to your personality, what things get you flustered, how you do under pressure. That is one of the things that training and cycling helps. To have a hard workout cycling you have to be on the bike for a long period of time. That is what tests you mentally is when you are doing something for a long period of time and start to get fatigued and staying mentally sharp and focused when your body is fatigued you stay strong and get through the situation.”

http://www.indycar.com/news/story.php?story_id=10501

Indianapolis, IN – PitFit Training (PitFit) today announced it has added four training plans to the extensive library of pre-built exercise plans offered through TrainingPeaks. Each plan is designed and tailored for Motorsports specific needs.

Jim Leo, Founder and President of PitFit Training noted that series specific programs are available for Sprint cars, SCCA, karting, and Formula car racing. Coming in the next few months will be off-road/rally, motorcross and Moto-GP style plans for two-wheeled competitors.

As with all PitFit Training programs, each plan is excellent for any racer and is designed to evolve the driver in an aggressive yet safe way. The plans will focus on the same heart rate zones experienced during a race and concentrate on specific strength exercises. The detailed, weekly program includes every component taken into consideration including cardiovascular training, strength training, reaction training, flexibility training and rest time. These programs ensure training at the correct intensity and difficulty level in order to be challenged and progress to the next level.

“We are constantly looking for ways to train drivers around the world with the best racing fitness plans possible,” stated Leo. “These plans are the result of years of training and research.”

To learn more about the motorsport specific training plans, click here: https://www.trainingpeaks.com/trainingplans/pitfit/

About PitFit Training
PitFit Training is the recognized leader in developing driver-specific fitness, nutrition and human-performance programs to expressly address the physical and mental demands of the motorsports industry. PitFit was founded in 1997 by Jim Leo. Leo and the PitFit crew provide fitness training to racers in various series including the Indy Racing League, Champ Car World Series, Champ Car Atlantics, Indy Pro Series, Formula BMW, USAC, Karting and more. To schedule an interview, contact Jim Leo at 317-388-1000 or jleo@pitfit.com. To learn more, visit www.pitfit.com.