In part 1, we discussed the difficulty of using a substitute instructor your riders like (or won’t stone), the challenge when other instructors do not “keep it real,” and teaching your class to respect your subs. Part 2 will focus on moving past a potential negative impression of your class, valuing the riders’ workout, and how to prep your sub for success.Read more…
Mentoring new instructors is a valuable tool in helping them navigate the often overwhelming flood of information they receive in their certification and the weeks that follow. Listen to this audio interview with Melinda Massie of Lexington, KY, as she describes how she loves to take new instructors under her wing. If you’ve ever thought about mentoring (or if you’re a facility looking to develop a mentoring program) don’t miss this interview!Read more…
Many of the instructors I know give a ton back to our community. In addition to going above and beyond preparing our regular classes (even though the pay we receive often does not come close to compensating us for our effort), hundreds of instructors participate in charity rides and events to help organizations with their mission. Like many, I’ve had the honor of leading and participating in indoor cycling benefit rides. Although the cause and mission is serious, these events are some of the most fun and inspiring times I’ve spent on an indoor bike.Read more…
Have you ever dreamed of becoming a master instructor for an indoor cycling program (or any fitness program)? I believe that the steps to becoming an MI are similar to the steps of simply being be the best indoor cycling coach possible. In other words, even if you don’t care to present at conferences or train other instructors, if you take many of the steps outlined in this post, you cannot help but grow into an exceptional kick-butt coach and trainer!Read more…
Davide Camerini, a longtime ICA member and Spinning® instructor from Italy who I originally met at WSSC, has a blog titled La Passione Per L’Indoor Cycling. Check out his level of passion in his blog!Read more…
Tom Scotto and I get asked a lot for high-energy music suggestions for field tests and time trials from 85 to 100 bpm. We’ve put our heads together to come up with 72 songs, ranging from downtempo and electronic, to rock, alternative, and hip-hop. What they all have in common is consistent rhythm and high energy. Some require more intrinsic coaching (downtempo), some work just fine on their own!Read more…
What can be better than free music? Free music that’s great for indoor cycling classes, that’s what! Beatport is giving away free music over the next ten weeks to celebrate its 10th anniversary. Don’t miss it!Read more…
They need you to inspire them in ways you’ve never done before! Intrinsic coaching, visualization, powerful motivations, and more. They need new, fun, and challenging profiles that don’t take you hours to put together. Epic climbs, effective intervals, challenging racing scenarios, fun games, and theme rides, etc. ICA can help!Read more…
In my e-book “Ten Ways to Stay Motivated as an Indoor Cycling Instructor,” one of the things I discuss is to always be prepared. In doing so, you reduce your potential stress level because you are confident that should something happen, you have a way to address the problem and not skip a beat in your instruction of your class. In this post, I give you a Plan B so you can avoid the challenge I dealt with!Read more…
Introducing our next Audio Master Class, this time with guest instructor Bill Pierce. I’ve known Bill for over a decade and have seen that his profiles are based on sound training principles, yet they always have a thread of fun, humor, and/or adventure. This one is no different, as he takes you on an epic trip through Europe and the Middle East, with music to match each country.Read more…