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In: Instructor Issues & growth
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The workout is intense. High-intensity intervals run amok. Full out! All out! Everything you got! This is the mode we have been in over the summer months and early fall weeks. For many, this is known as peak fitness; earned after months and months of dedicated riding and training. When we achieve this level of fitness and the associated intensity, we don’t want it to stop. Herein lies the problem. Unless we dial it back and let the body fully recover, we not only fail to improve further, but eventually lose what we’ve gained…or worse. How do we transition our riders out of an intensity frenzy and prepare them to reset and rebuild their fitness at the start of another year? Read more…

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In: Coaching and Cueing, Communication and Presentation Skills, Instructor Issues & growth
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In part 1 we discussed how to prepare our riders for a sub. In part 2 we threw out suggestions for finding an ideal sub for your class. Welcome to part 3—where you are the sub. It can be nerve-wracking to walk into a party not knowing anyone. My strategy in this case it to find someone who also appears uncomfortable and introduce myself. Eventually I build a posse that allows me to move freely about the cabin. This tactic doesn’t work when your goal is not to mingle, but command the room. I’m going to share my strategy to increase your chances of success and potentially keep the jitters down to a dull roar.Read more…

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In: Biomechanics, Cadence, Power, Class Profiles
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If you’ve ever been frustrated about riders who seem to cheat about the amount of work they are doing, or how to coach your riders to add enough resistance to do appreciable work (and get the results they want)…then this is your profile! The audio for this profile is a veritable continuing education session, so get ready to learn a lot!Read more…

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In: Free Articles, Music Resources
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This is not one of our weekly music suggestions, but a song that I think every instructor around the world should have. Not only is it beautiful, but the message is so powerful. Thanks to Jeanne Sims of Long Island who posted it on Facebook this morning… I immediately bought it and put it in my inspirational playlists to use at a later date.Read more…

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In: Instructor Issues & growth
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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…

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In: Instructor Issues & growth, New Instructors, Programming and Management
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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…

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In: Communication and Presentation Skills, Free Articles, Instructor Issues & growth, Teaching With Video
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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…

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In: Free Articles, Instructor Issues & growth
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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…