It is 5 minutes before class begins. The last few riders scurry to their bikes. I’m nervous and uncomfortable about my ride, and more specifically, the playlist. As the class starts and the music unfolds, I feel self-conscious and not myself. Only the cool-down can save me now.Read more…
There was an interesting discussion this week on one of the Facebook indoor cycling forums about teaching without music. I thought it could be fun to have a discussion here about teaching without music. Have you ever had a music emergency in which you had to teach your class with no music at all? How did you initially react? How did your riders respond?Read more…
Like many things in the fitness industry, the mantra “no pain, no gain” has been misused and misrepresented. Has the mantra provided trainers and instructors with a license to kill? Has it become a means to an unknowledgeable end? Has the mantra set an unrealistic and unhealthy expectation for its victims?Read more…
Last year’s New Year’s playlist has been updated with new empowering songs of all genres, including quite a few pop and hip-hop songs that your younger audience will enjoy. These songs are based on the themes of change, personal growth, being unstoppable, self-confidence, and setting goals.Read more…
Parts 4, 5, and 6 of Prepping for a Reset provided samples of aerobic conditioning, muscle conditioning, and leg speed class profiles. There are numerous variations, but these three profiles comprise the key foundational elements of cycling fitness. Now it is time for a test…or review.Read more…
Oh no! Santa’s reindeer are sick! So you come to the rescue and ride up to the North Pole to pull his sleigh. It’s a secular concept with less-than-traditional-but-still-holiday music selections, so it is a great way to inject some holiday spirit without offending anyone or boring them with overplayed holiday tunes.Read more…
Have you ever wondered what all the hype was about hashtags, those silly tic-tac-toe–looking things you see on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and other social media platforms? #dotheysometimesgetonyournerves? Watch this 3-minute video by media expert Amanda Vogel to help you understand how to use this strange but ubiquitous feature of social media.Read more…
ICA member Dana asked a question about coaching 20-minute field tests in the comments section of the ICA master profile for field testing. Because it’s a question I get a lot, and I believe all instructors can benefit from the reply, I am posting it here as an Ask the Expert: Is teaching this profile once a month too much?Read more…
Many folks mistake speed and pedal-stroke work as only beneficial for those who ride actual bikes outdoors. This is not the case. Although it is a popular understanding that higher leg speeds produce greater power (force X velocity = power), there are also mechanical and neuromuscular benefits for everyone.Read more…
Every instructor has their own style and preference for when to teach on or off the bike. We’ve published a number of articles to this effect with general guidelines and suggestions for effective approaches. A few members asked specifically about the effectiveness of teaching Tabata, and other high-intensity intervals, on and off the bike. Here is my approach.Read more…