We all know a structured training program is far more successful at meeting goals (any goal) than haphazard exercise. What can we do to convince our customers? How can we package it to reach more people? Will you help us brainstorm and come up with ideas? I’ve got a few, but I’m seeking your help!Read more…
Three great reasons to do an Australian Tribute Ride. 1. Australia Day is January 26. 2. Raise awareness of the devastating fires in the country; perhaps even do a small charity fundraiser (I’ve provided links to organizations to donate to). 3. Australian artists rock! Here is my profile and playlist.Read more…
This year, Chinese New Year falls on January 25 (Saturday) and will be celebrated through February 8, so you’ve got 15 days to use these songs!Read more…
I’ve been curating inspirational playlists for years. These have now morphed into 33 different playlists on Spotify that have well over 3,300 empowering, motivating songs; songs that will touch your heart and help you turn the pedals. They are perfect for charity rides, special events, local fundraisers, or just when you need the perfect song to push your riders. Why not decide to become known as that instructor who has a positive message in every single class? These playlists can help you do just that.Read more…
2019 was another year of losing far too many musical artists, some as young as 21 and 30 years old. I compiled a Spotify playlist of the best songs for cycling from these artists. Then, I created a profile consisting of long intervals. I love the tracks I used in this profile—I hope you enjoy it!Read more…
The next installment of our Creative Visualization and Imagery series focuses on coaching your riders to focus on their breath, how to connect their breath with their pedal strokes, and how to talk about pedal stroke dynamics. These are the tricks that help athletes ignore any possible negative thoughts such as doubt and fear, and lead them to success. While these are exceptional for sub-threshold intensity cueing (like endurance classes), they put your riders into the right mental space to take on higher intensities. Read more…
Endurance rides, or aerobic efforts in the middle of other higher-intensity profiles, are the perfect opportunity for using creative visualizations to help guide your students. Here are cues designed to help riders relax, focus, and immerse themselves in the moment. Read more…
In this chapter, I discuss the use of metaphors and similes to add color and personality to your coaching. These spark your riders to be more creative and to use their imagination. They are an incredibly powerful coaching method and will set you apart from the typical bootcamp-style instructor who only shouts out commands, telling people specifically what to do. Here are 52 metaphors and similes to spice up your cueing.Read more…
The language techniques described here will help you to greatly expand your vocabulary, use different ways for expressing a similar idea, and will add color and excitement to your coaching. In part 1, I discussed the physiological effects of visualization and imagery techniques and how the mind doesn’t know the difference between a real or imagined event. Your creative cueing will take advantage of this fact to help guide them to higher levels of performance and success. Read more…
A good profile should provide you with endless ways to use it, saving you tons of time in the process. We have had several versions of this profile at ICA. This is an example of taking a template for a solid, goal-based workout and tweaking the music not just for a specific genre (like Bill Pierce’s Pop vs. Rock version), but for a theme like I did with this one using songs about “wild,” “crazy,” and “psycho.” There are so many fun songs in that theme! I also modified the intervals slightly, so it will seem fresh and new to your riders.Read more…