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In: Coaching and Cueing, Free Articles, Instructor Issues & growth, New Instructors
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Some instructors motivate their students to reach the top of that hill because of the way it will make them feel, for the confidence it will build in them, for the realization that if they can do that, they can do anything they set their minds to. Others yell at riders to push to the top of the mountain so they can fit into a certain dress for the summer, or because they’ll look good when they go out at night. Which one are you?Read more…

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In: Instructor Issues & growth, Physiology, Heart Rate & RPE
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As requested, here is the full version of the chart I referenced in the article on aerobic capacity. A similar version was created when developing the curriculum for Cycling Fusion’s Level 2 Heart Zones Certification workshop. I have since modified the chart to overlay the zones and indicate the thresholds’ aliases. Read more…

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In: Free Articles, Instructor Issues & growth, Keep it Real & eBooks, New Instructors
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Have you encountered a challenge when trying to respond to people’s comments, critiques, or attacks about cycling-specific techniques or the Keep it Real philosophy? Would you like a template to answer the naysayers using non-confrontational, heart-centered means of responding, without putting down the individual? Then help me compile the most challenging questions, and I’ll create a template for you!Read more…

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In: Free Articles, Outdoor Cycling
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This is a repost of an article by Robert Baldi from last year on gearing. One of the beauties of indoor cycling is that it inspires many instructors to become cyclists, and some instructors even inspire their students to ride outside (one of my favorite things). But sometimes the world of cycling can be a little intimidating. At ICA, we want to help you discover the world of outdoor riding and help you answer your students’ questions about outdoor riding as well as indoor! Read more…

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In: Ask the Expert, Instructor Issues & growth, New Instructors
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This is a great question for new instructors about how often to repeat music and profiles. I give my advice, but I’d love it if some of you longtime instructors can share what your experience with this is. It may partially depend on the market and culture of your facility, but mostly it depends on your style and tolerance.Read more…

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In: Free Articles
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What is a Journey Ride? I like to think of them as rides in which a challenging profile, combined with empowering coaching, compels the rider to look inward and examine his thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations during the ride. Often incorporating visualization, they transcend the physical act of riding an indoor bike and become metaphors for challenges faced outside of the cycling studio. During the course of the ride, the rider develops a much greater sense of self, often leaving with heightened confidence and a desire to take on any challenge the world throws at them. Journey rides are magical! Go experience one for yourself at Charleston Ride!Read more…

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In: Class Profiles
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This profile is inspired by the movie Gladiator (2000) where Maximus (Gladiator), Commander of the Armies of the North, addresses his men before battle, “…Stay with me. If you find yourself alone, riding in green fields with the sun on your face, do not be troubled; for you are in Elysium…”

Take your riders on a journey up a 31-minute climb to their own personal Elysium.Read more…

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In: Form and Technique, Programming and Management
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Today I received an e-mail from ICA member Shayne who sent me an example of his club’s Group Fitness Class Conduct Guide for Spinning. It gave me an idea to get others to submit their facility’s instructor guidelines or a sample of what it contains. Or, if you don’t have one, let me know in the comments what you wish your club/studio would do to keep your team teaching a similar approach while still encouraging different styles. Next week, I’ll post these samples along with Shayne’s, so you can use them as a template to create your own or suggest to your group fitness director to create one.Read more…

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In: Instructor Issues & growth
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Yes, as indoor cycling instructors, we need to stand up for fun. You know, as in, stand up for having fun in our classes. We also need to stand up, as in, stand up on the bike, for fun. We at ICA approach much of what we do with a mindset of its effectiveness when riding outdoors. This is not a bad thing. But what if we just wanted to do something because it was fun?Read more…