Here’s a great drill to add to your profiles that teaches standing and sitting with control and efficiency. Once mastered, the technique will improve every other drill that requires standing.Read more…
Instructors should understand the very real risks of high resistance/low cadence pedaling, and know when to provide options for their riders. This article covers the physiological reasons behind why very low cadence is not beneficial either indoors or for cyclists outdoors. I also present ways to address a rider who is resistant to taking your advice and continues to pedal too slowly in a big gear.Read more…
In 2002, I presented a session at WSSC called “Rolling Hills and Switchbacks.” Prior to that date, these techniques weren’t a big part of Spinning® (or any indoor cycling program for that matter). I want to give you my handout from 2002, for free! I’ve changed a few things in how I coach these and will be sharing those coaching techniques very soon, but much of this still applies for realistic simulation of riding rollers and switchbacks. Read more…
It is always great to see the response of our cycling instructor and coach community. A number of questions arose after I published the last Ask the Expert article on “Healing the Pedal Stroke.” The focus was solely on the practice of pushing down or dropping the heel below horizontal during the pedal stroke. In addition to my response to questions and feedback, I created a video using footage from the 2013 USA Cycling Pro Challenge to demonstrate the technique. Hey, pictures are worth a thousand words, right?Read more…
The Question: Should you push the heels down when pedaling?
The Short Answer: NO
Let’s talk about why…Read more…
What is the best advice for standing up when you describe a “flat road” to your riders? Since balance and fitness can affect how well a rider can stand up, these tips will help you improve your riders’ performance, and ultimately their fitness, in your classes. Read more…
When it comes to overuse injures, I’d rather not wait. Cycling is an activity used by many physical therapists for rehabilitation. When done properly, cycling is very gentle on the joints and muscles. I repeat…when done properly.Read more…
Here is a quick tip to help those in our classes who are either new or deconditioned and have difficulty standing. Some fear it is purely a matter of strength and give up before they begin. The truth is that balance plays the major role.Read more…
A few years ago, Tom Scotto and I did a webinar on hand positions. It is the perfect visual follow up to last week’s post on hand positions while standing. It provides the practical and biomechanical reasons for where to place your hands while riding, whether seated or standing.Read more…
In a recent profile, I was asked why I don’t assign a hand position when riders stand. This is a great question that I get often. Let’s talk hand positions seated and standing, and why we go there. Read more…