Welcome to our first installment of our newest series: OCD—Obsessed with Cycling Drills. Yes, we are definitely obsessive about everything to do with indoor cycling drills including the music, cues, and objective. Pressure Cooker does exactly what the name implies: it places the body under continuous and increasing pressure. You get to choose whether to put the muscles or lungs in the pressure cooker.Read more…
I asked Angela Amedio of Saratoga Cycling Studio to share with ICA how she created a successful program for local teens at her studio in Saratoga Springs, New York. You are sure to get some ideas for your program!Read more…
Peter G, an instructor in Connecticut, has made a name for himself amongst indoor cycling instructors as their DJ of choice. If you haven’t yet heard of Peter G yet…mark my words, you will soon! For your 4th of July playlist, you can purchase this fun “rewerk” of Prince’s “America”Read more…
Tom, do you have a litmus test to tell if recoveries are too short for the efforts you are asking? For example, if you are asking for a 5-minute, 4-minute, 2-minute, and 1-minute best effort, one right after the other in that order, how much recovery would you give in between each? Thanks.
– Julie Zweck-BronnerRead more…
Learn how this inspiring cycling instructor and life coach has “flipped” his riders and clients to not only choose fitness, but to think of themselves as athletes and take on huge life-changing goals. Dane is as much about the mental side of health and fitness as the physical. After reading about Coach Boyle, you may want to become a “flipper” yourself!Read more…
If you are one of those instructors who loves to bring the experience of riding outdoors to your indoor riders, now is the time to get them excited. Give them a taste of the Tour de France (TDF) and introduce them to some of the fun we enjoy during one of the greatest sporting events of all time. Here are some recommendations for leaning TDF lingo, visualizing the terrain and intensity, and connecting the experience of outdoor cycling to your indoor riders.Read more…
Carol, an ICA member and instructor in Illinois, shares a wonderful story about her favorite rider, Jules, who just turned 93. She threw a party in her class to celebrate, and she shares her special playlist with you here. After every class Jules tell her, “You keep me vertical!” We all should have our very own Jules in our classes!Read more…
“I brought my heart rate up to Zones 2, 3, and 4 and then changed cadence from 88 to 75, 70, and 60, adding resistance each time to keep the power the same. I stayed at each cadence for several minutes. My heart rate dropped considerably each time I lowered my cadence while maintaining the same power output. Did my heart rate drop because we use muscle more than cardio at lower cadences or is this an issue with the bike?”Read more…
I’m certain each of us has participated in one or more charity events. We ran, biked, walked, or possibly accomplished something more adventurous in the name of a great cause we believe in. Those of us who had the opportunity to be one of the chosen instructors responsible for motivating these big-hearted participants know the tremendous privilege this is. Being an instructor for a charity ride is also a rush beyond what can be experienced from teaching our everyday indoor cycling classes. All excitement aside, events of this nature can be intimidating for an instructor. Here are some tips and considerations for how to approach the event, how to approach your ride, and how to approach your riders for the best charity ride ever.Read more…
Here are 132 summer-themed songs to choose from for your fun-in-the-sun and school’s-out profiles. Then, come back in 8 months to dig these out again when you’re tired of wearing a heavy winter coat!Read more…