A well-written article that sheds light on knee pain and injuries, while demonstrating the level of knowledge indoor cycling instructors need to balance out the focus on fun, community, and music.Read more…
Here is our new updated St. Patrick’s Day song list for 2015, with 121 fun songs to use in your profiles. I also included a really fun joke you can tell your class during your St. Paddy’s Day theme ride. Erin Go Bragh!Read more…
From the archives…
Richard Mullins is an ICA member from Ireland whose passion for teaching is contagious! Who better to create an Irish-themed profile than a blue-blooded Irishman with passion? I know you’re going to enjoy this fun interval profile built around events that catapulted Ireland to the global stage, including many sporting references. Read more…
Announcing the release of Technologia, a new album by Chronos, with luscious downtempo soundscapes from Russia. The best news? You can get it legally for free! I’ve highlighted 3 of the tracks that are good for the cycling studio and how to use them.Read more…
This is a question from a fairly new instructor about understanding rpm and its relationship to bpm. I originally posted this in 2012, but I am reposting it with an updated response. This question came up recently in the ICA Member Facebook group, so I thought I’d resurrect this post.Read more…
Using a power to weight ratio is an easy and effective way to determine the amount of watts to target during various efforts. It is a very simple approach that is easy for instructors to use in classes where bikes with power meters are available. With any simple approach, there will be factors to consider for those who desire to be the exception.Read more…
“I have several triathletes and highly fit cyclists in some of my classes. A few of them seem to have really heavy, quad dominant downstrokes that results in what I “see” to be a highly inefficient circular pedal stroke. When in climbing position, these same “quad dominant” cyclists have a lot of hip rocking. (Not a ridiculous amount, but more than what a trained athlete should be doing if they are knowledgeable). I guess they are trying to really force the pedals down which, of course, leads to the inefficient stroke. My advice in class is to ”settle down” the hips. There should be some side to side, natural movement, but not overkill. If you settle down the hips a little, it forces a smoother stroke—especially the upward phase of pedal stroke. Am I right to say this?”Read more…
Are you or your riders ever tempted to ride in an aero position in your indoor cycling or Spinning class? This Bicycling magazine article will show you conclusively that it’s not really a good idea! Read more…
One of the gold standards of power is Functional Threshold Power (FTP): the maximum average power one can sustain, with or without puking, for 60 minutes. Sounds fun! If that is more excitement than you can handle in a single sitting, there are other methods or field tests that one can enjoy to determine FTP. However, I recommend first determining whether FTP is practical or applicable for your indoor cycling classes.Read more…
One of our ICA members shared his technique for keeping his riders who like to chat engaged. I thought it was a fun and creative way to add variety to your schedule of classes, whether your purpose is to let the talkers have their day or just to increase the fun level! Share with us your technique!Read more…