The Posture Advantage — Episode 6 - When Aero Costs You Breath

Aero vs. Breath Trade-Off

How much aerodynamic posture can we really cope with? A truly efficient aero position isn’t just about lowering the front end or tucking in the elbows — it’s about what the body can sustain over time. A proper aero posture depends on a strong, well-trained core to stabilise the pelvis and spine for hours in the saddle. Without that foundation, the rider often compensates by tightening the shoulders, collapsing the chest, and overloading the neck — all of which restrict breathing and reduce oxygen intake.
During a bike fit, assessing pelvic tilt, thoracic mobility, thoracic kyphosis, and cervical extension helps to determine how much aero position the body can genuinely tolerate. The goal isn’t to force the rider into a position they can’t maintain, but to find the balance between aerodynamic efficiency and physiological function.
When the upper body collapses forward and the ribs lose mobility, the diaphragm can’t descend freely into the abdomen. Breathing becomes shallower, the core loses support, and fatigue sets in earlier. Conversely, when posture allows the rib cage to stay open and the diaphragm to move naturally, both power and endurance improve — even if that means being slightly less aero on paper.
A good aero posture, therefore, isn’t only the one that looks fast — it’s the one your body can breathe, stabilise, and perform in for the whole ride.