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In: Coaching and Cueing, Form and Technique, New Instructors
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Two weeks ago Robin Robertson provided an idea for a mini periodization plan in your schedule. During the first week you focus on Form and Foundation drills. Of course, you can do these any time, it doesn’t necessarily have to be a part of a periodized program. Here are six great drills for all new and longtime students, since every one can benefit from reminders about skill improvement. These are also great for new instructors to implement.Read more…

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In: Form and Technique, Free Articles, Instructor Issues & growth, New Instructors, Programming and Management
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James Fell, my favorite irreverent fitness myth buster and journalist, has just posted an excellent article on silly techniques in indoor cycling classes. James was one of the first to publicly challenge some of the unsafe and ineffective techniques done at SoulCycle (and other similar programs) in his front-page feature in the LA Times two years ago. Both Tom Scotto and I were interviewed for that article. You’re going to want to share this one with every instructor, student, and group exercise director or studio owner you know.Read more…

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In: Instructor Issues & growth, Mental Training, Mind-Body, New Instructors
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Like many of us, I had gone through a number of life transitions, which can distract us from basic principles we all know well and usually practice, like RECOVERY. I’ve spoke about this to instructors at conferences and have given lengthy diatribes on the importance of adequate rest to those I’ve coached. Yet, here I am (again) finding myself fatigued.Read more…

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In: Class Profiles, Instructor Issues & growth, New Instructors
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All ICA members receive the free bonus e-book “How to Create Profiles” with 18 pages of tips and advice on conceptualizing, designing and then assembling your profiles. Here are several examples of what I do as I’m piecing together my profiles, including my recent “architectural sketch” of my Stage 3 Tour de France profile. How do you sketch out your profiles? On paper, on the computer, in your head, in Class Builder? Share with us here!Read more…

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In: Coaching and Cueing, New Instructors
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Instructors often wonder whether they should be riding as hard as they are asking of their students. Tom Scotto believes there is no single answer to this question and gives you four considerations when deciding whether you should be riding hard, or holding back. Keep these items in the back of your mind for every class you teach.Read more…

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In: Instructor Issues & growth, New Instructors
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You’ve been there. It was a hard day at work. You’re coming down with a cold. You’ve got other pressing issues on your mind. And, you have to go teach. Normally you love teaching. But today? Not so much. How do you deal? Here are 5 strategies to make sure you give a professional performance when you don’t feel up to it.Read more…

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In: Coaching and Cueing, New Instructors
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Christine’s article on determining a student’s learning style got me thinking of my own way of assimilating information when I’m learning or enhancing a skill. As I read her article, I saw myself in the “frustrated” students she described. I am a very strong kinesthetic learner, but fortunately, I also am also a visual learner. Coaches who are skilled at delivering bodily cues are less common, so I tend to pass the visual information I receive through my own kinesthetic filter. Are you like this? Might some of your students do this? I use my education as a ski instructor as an example in how I did this, and provide you with things to consider when trying to reach your predominantly kinesthetic learners.Read more…

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In: Free Articles, Instructor Issues & growth, New Instructors
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Shirin arrived to the studio and started getting ready for the 90-minute class, as students were beginning to file in. She turns on the stereo, and….nothing. No sound. No music. No mic. They did everything they could to try to figure it out. To no avail. Class was about to start and Shirin had to make a decision. What followed was a momentous experience that all of her students will remember for a long time. You want to hear about this, you might get some pointers on engaging your students when faced with an obstacle!Read more…