Last week I interviewed Tom Scotto about how an instructor should verbalize really hard efforts to students. This time I interviewed Dr. Haley Perlus, sports psychologist, an expert on motivation of the mental side of challenge. Dr. Perlus discusses when it is and isn’t appropriate to push through pain. Then she gives us 5 important tips on how to motivate our own students in our classes through the most challenging types of rides. Part 1 of this interview is FREE and includes 2 of the 5 motivational methods.Read more…

In cycling we are surrounded by images of riders suffering as they go beyond their limits on steep mountain grades, vicious attacks, grueling time trials and hair raising sprints. The cycling and training world is filled with terms such as “the pain cave,” “hurt box,” and the “sufferfest.” Is there a place for these terms in our indoor cycling classes? Tom and I discuss the if, when, why, and how of cueing discomfort.Read more…

In Parts 1 and 2, we have discussed most of the necessary elements of building an engaging endurance ride, but there are two more elements, ACTION and YOU. This final edition of this series on teaching endurance or mind-body style classes helps you put it all together and understand howRead more…