Dean Phillips

Quite often, I have referred to as a “performance junkie”. I began lifelong pursuit of sports as a swimmer, then a football player, then a collegiate world champion rower, then a triathlete, and now as a masters cyclist. A few years after graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy, I competed in my very first triathlon as an age group Clydesdale. It wasn’t until after those first few races in the year 2000 that I heard about power meters. Once I did, I started training and racing with power meters. By combining my experience with ergometers during my rowing career, and my degree in mechanical engineering, I found that I now had the data I needed to best structure and track my training. Between 2000 and 2006 I got married, welcomed three (of my now four) children, and with the help of my power meter, climbed from Clydesdale to Pro triathlete, all while working full time as a professional engineer. In 2007, I made a major career shift and opened Fit Werx, an industry leading bike shop focused on bike fitting. In 2011, a lingering running injury was the deciding factor to shift my focus from triathlon to road bike racing. I had a great time racing up the ranks to a Cat 1 competing in time trials, road and circuit races. In 2014, I began racing on the track. Since then, I have won multiple masters national and world championships in the discipline.  

As a professional bike fitter for over a decade, I now work with over 400 clients per year, and am on the cutting edge of cycling products, technology, and any newly discovered knowledge the industry has to offer. I've had articles on training and racing with power published in Lava and Triathlete magazines. I also have a series of bike tech articles published on BeginnerTriathlete.com, and our Fit Werx website. I’ve spoken and presented on many power meter topics at regional events as well. 

My coaching philosophy is the same as my business philosophy, to help racers of all levels achieve their goals. Whether you are a novice looking to compete in your first race, or a seasoned pro looking to find those last few watts to break a world record, I know how to get you started, and how to make you faster. I've had to work through the challenges of being a husband, father, and business owner, as well as an athlete, and understand the balancing act many athletes face.

"I worked with Dean for about 2 years as my cycling coach. I cannot even begin to tell you how awesome that experience was. As if his own credentials don’t speak for themselves Dean is far above any other coach I have tried. In fact I have been out of racing for the past few years but am now coming back and there is no one else I would rather have as my coach. Dean is first of all a class act as a person which to me is very important. He truly cares more about the people he is coaching reaching their goals than he does about his own. He is patient to answer all questions asked with more info than you can most likely comprehend. He also answers questions at the level of the person asking so that you understand the complete answer. I don’t think that I have ever received a yes or no to any of my questions. He is kind in that he is not bothered by any questions and makes no judgement over the type of questions asked and just answers them fully and completely to the best of his ability. He will give you as much or as little info as you desire. 

The best thing about Dean is that he is a perfectionist. In a sport with so many variables and options he has an uncanny ability to cover everything leaving no stone unturned. I had the pleasure of having Dean fit me for all 5 of my bikes and I can tell you it was the best experience I have ever had. We built all five bikes up with the best possible equipment for me while sticking to my budget. He gave me all the pros and cons of every single piece of the bike and we decided where the best places were to spend a little more to get something better and where we could save as the cost didn’t justify the gain. He did a fantastic job fitting me to my bikes to the point I felt at one with each. He spent literally all day with me covering everything and then also we did some fine tuning throughout the years. 

This same attention to detail went into my training plan. He worked around my schedule to make sure I got the training I needed. We selected the races that would best be suited to my riding style and then he would helped devise my racing strategy as well. His training plan was easy to follow and helped my increase my power, endurance and confidence. My training plan felt very individual as well as with most of my previous coaches I always felt that I was doing the same workouts as my coach or the other athletes he was coaching. The workouts were hard but every ride had a purpose in the big scheme of the plan. My weakest leg of every stage race was my time trialing and he helped me to get more aero and race smarter to where my TT improved tremendously. We spent a lot of time on the TT bike to develop the right fit and comfort level while being able to produce the most power possible. 

Anytime I got sick or had to take time off he was great in adjusting my plan so that I never had to worry about being ready for my races. I can honestly say I never showed up to any of my races without feeling like I had a great chance to win. 

The confidence Dean instilled in me thru my training and our discussions helped me to race really well throughout the time he coached me. I did so much better than I ever expected and the really awesome part was I think Dean was more excited about how well I was doing than I. I don’t know what else I can tell you about Dean other than I consider him a good friend first and foremost and my coach second. He is just a great person with a heart for everything cycling and if anyone can help you reach your goals I know he can." Bryan Teter, Pennsylvania

"My time so far with Dean has been everything I hoped for, and then some. He prepared me really well for my goal races at the end of last season (we started working together midseason). We've started to discuss 2019, and I'm really looking forward to finding out what can happen with a full season of work."   Alan Potter

Dean is very quick to review my workouts and respond. Additionally, he is supportive and encouraging. He is extremely knowledgeable when it comes to power and training. Most important to me he understands where I am coming from and meets me there. He is a great guy! - Sarah P