A friend shared this song with me on my Facebook page this morning, and I am offering this song here without comment. I would have played it in my Monday class had I known. Let’s come together in sweet harmony, world. Read more…
Before I contribute a few of my favorite climbing strategies, I want to share my perspective on climbing. Because I’m mostly a sprinter, one might wonder what climbing strategies I have to offer. Well, if anyone has strategies for climbing, it would be a person who knows suffering is always involved.Read more…
Climbing big mountains is a rite of passage for cyclists. Getting you and your bicycle up that hill in defiance of gravity is one of the most difficult aspects of riding a bicycle, but it is also one of the great attractions to cycling. Overcoming the mountain challenges you—it bares your soul; it asks you to perform beyond what you thought was even possible. Over the next few weeks, Tom and I will be giving you our favorite strategies—both physical and mental—to get you and your students over that hump. We’ll be drawing from our own experience climbing long, hard mountains.Read more…
When is the last time you did something you had never ever tried that was so far outside your comfort zone that you considered backing out at the last moment? Nothing connects you to your new rider’s mindset like actually doing something new yourself. Here are a few things to keep in mind when teaching new riders.Read more…
Are you planning an event for International Indoor Cycling Day? How about a specialty theme ride for Halloween? New Years? A fund-raiser in early 2017? Whatever your plans, here is a great idea for getting an energy bar company to sponsor your event! Read more…
While instructors most often lead adults in group exercise classes, we also share many parallels with teachers of children. Check out Rita Pierson’s TED Talk, “Every Kid Needs a Champion,” to see how she prioritizes personal connection or relationship over all else when helping children succeed. You’ll find some great ideas to bring into the cycling studio.Read more…
All instructors are entitled to deference and respect, but in the absence of a ‘superhero cape,’ unfortunately respect is not as common as it should be. Instructors, do you get the respect you should? If not, consider weaving your own “don’t-mess-with-me” cape, and perhaps you can also wield the seven special “superhero” powers that Christine’s gives her. Read more…
Have you heard of the #22Pushup Challenge? If so, I bet you haven’t heard of someone asking their entire indoor cycling class do the push-ups with them! That’s what ICA contributor Bill Roach did with his classes—what a great way to raise awareness! If you want to do this challenge, let me know in the comments and I’ll nominate you on Facebook.Read more…
Indoor cycling instructors jump at any excuse to create a theme ride…how about one based on President Obama’s favorite songs? You’ll admit that he has very varied tastes! Send us a profile using these songs and you can win a free membership! We’ll publish it in a later post.Read more…
The ignorance of exercise science in the cycling studio has to stop!Read more…