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In: Class Profiles
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If you are teaching with power and either regularly conduct 20-minute FTP tests, or want to be able to bring your riders to the point of participating in a field test, it’s essential that you train them to tolerate longer intervals. Shorter HIT intervals are great, but longer intervals should also be a pillar of your training program. This “cruise” interval profile (i.e., longer aerobic intervals) is the perfect template for creating your own intervals of this nature. Read more…

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In: Class Profiles
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Want to help your riders really feel their effort? The Ultimate HIIT profile teaches them to recognize intensity through perceived exertion (RPE), so they can pace themselves, push strategically, and understand what each interval should feel like. With carefully designed intervals, extensive cueing, and built-in recovery, this is a tough—but incredibly rewarding—class your riders will love to hate.Read more…

cover songs

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In: Step Outside Your Musical Box, Theme Ride Thursday
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Covers are songs performed by an artist other than the one who recorded the original version. This allows instructors to provide music that is familiar yet different. Some renditions are true to the original, some take a totally new approach. Some cross genres. Using covers allows you to expand your own musical tastes where you might not have gone before. Read more…

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In: Class Profiles
With: 14 Comments

Not sure how to coach riders with power—or what wattage they should hit in their intervals? The Ultimate HIIT takes out the guesswork. This tough-but-rewarding profile helps estimate FTP, explores key interval durations, and gives you the cueing you need to connect power with perceived exertion. It’s one of those classes your riders will love to hate!Read more…

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In: Outdoor Cycling
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In April, I went to Tucson, Arizona on a cycling vacation. Prior to that trip, my last ride outdoors was 6 months previous, and 100% of my training was indoors. I was still able to ride my bike up a 25-mile mountain. I ascribe my fitness to periodized, targeted training in indoor cycling classes and on my stationary bike at home. Hey guys…this stuff works! Read more…

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In: Ask the Expert
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Most indoor cycling classes are 45–60 minutes long. Longer rides can serve as great training sessions and an accomplishment for riders to be proud of. You can teach them on their own or use longer classes as part of a progressive program to prepare participants for outdoor rides or multi-hour charity events. However, when you exceed a one-hour workout, you should alter how you design and deliver your class.
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In: Biomechanics, Cadence, Power, Teaching with Power
With: 5 Comments

While putting the finishing touches on a power profile for ICA, I put myself through the workout so I can experience the entire training session at the desired intensity. The two times I’ve taught it I obviously couldn’t be at that effort and teach it effectively, and I can attest that it’s a good one! I uploaded the training file here and challenge everyone to analyze—or guess—the training objective. Read more…