Many of us find ourselves in a situation where we are expected to have it all figured out, time to fit everything in, and, if something comes up that disrupts that finely oiled machine we call our daily schedule—well, chaos ensues.
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Doubting yourself is natural. What you do about that doubt is important. It can make the difference in your success as an indoor cycling instructor and even in other parts of your life. Do you feel like an imposter sometimes? Here’s a dirty little secret that many professionals are afraid to admit.
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The benefits of utilizing FTP to create individualized training zones for indoor riders are increasingly becoming understood by instructors who teach with power. This, and the tests to determine FTP, have been discussed in other articles on ICA. But is just knowing “how to” put your riders through an FTP test enough? Is there really a need to perform one on yourself in order to teach it?
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Your facility has just gotten new bikes—this time with power meters—but your riders have no idea how to use them. What do you do? Pam Benchley, master trainer for Stages Cycling, gives some tips on how to brief your riders about the bikes and the new technology without blinding them with too much science. Keep it simple!Read more…
This email I received brings up an immensely important issue—how to work with obese and/or very unfit students. There are many things you can do to make these students more comfortable and increase the chances they will return, but it takes some hand-holding. Are you willing to do what it takes?Read more…
Sara overheard a woman in the locker room complaining about knee pain after cycling class and saying she might quit riding. Sara knew she had to intervene in order to help give this woman the best chance of experiencing the joys of cycling.Read more…
This is a story about a woman who had no idea what she could accomplish. A woman who reluctantly attended her very first cycling class with me six months ago on the advice of her personal trainer. A woman who feared the bike and was one of the most hesitant riders I’ve ever seen. She is now one of the strongest female riders I have ever had the pleasure to work with. Read more…
Longer intervals can present a musical challenge for instructors. We have the tips you need to succeed! Here are four playlists with 400+ songs of all different genres to use in your longer intervals. I’ve broken them down by genre and tempo (bpm) and provided tips on how to use them. I also give advice on other resources for finding longer tracks. Read more…
When you teach riders who are new to power consoles about riding with metrics and power, it will surely benefit their fitness journey. But when they experience an educational moment firsthand, it is particularly powerful and will stay with them forever.Read more…
“I sure hope my cycling class today is EFFECTIVE!”…said no participant, ever. Time to ask yourself this question: how effective are your classes?Read more…