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In: Free Articles, Instructor Issues & growth, New Instructors
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New instructors are faced with a dilemma: you cue the music to begin teaching your first indoor cycling class and realize there is so much information to cover within the first few minutes of class. Will you remember it all? Will you explain everything correctly? Will someone remove the butterflies from your stomach? Welcome to part 1 of a 3-part series to master your class intro. Read more…

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In: Communication and Presentation Skills
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Community in an indoor cycling class isn’t something that just happens automatically with a mix of time, music, and work. A class that is based on community needs conscious nurturing and leadership from the instructor. The ability of the instructor to build and maintain community makes the difference between the mediocre class experience and the one that is memorable. Here are some thoughts about the importance of community in your class as well as a list of specific ideas you can use to help create community.
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In: Form and Technique, Free Articles
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Have you ever heard of a class conducted entirely out of the saddle? Would you ever consider it, or take part if you were a student in that class? Here is a synopsis of a discussion that happened in an online forum on the subject, with my input, plus an excellent article on the science of standing versus seated riding. I hereby challenge all instructors to take part in the STANDING CLIMB CHALLENGE so we can gather data as well as personal anecdotes. Read more…

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In: Communication and Presentation Skills, New Instructors
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You’ve landed an audition for a great teaching gig, but they are only going to give you 3 minutes. What do you say? What do you do? When you have an audition this short, it’s important to optimize every second. Here is a sample 3-minute audition template (which you can extend to a longer audition), along with 8 other tips to help you land any teaching job you want!Read more…

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In: Class Profiles
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This challenging mind-body profile (from my presentation at the 24-hour indoor cycling marathon) includes three long climbs with powerful and motivational cueing. Each climb is devoted to a different focus or emotion that cyclists feel when riding. The first climb is love; the second, soul or spirit; the third, feeling free. Each of the songs used in the climbs reflect these emotions.Read more…

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In: Biomechanics, Cadence, Power, Free Articles, Instructor Issues & growth, Physiology, Heart Rate & RPE
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When you learn how to read and interpret a workout file it is an amazing tool to aid in putting together profiles. You will better understand the possible impact your choices (cadence, resistance, power, etc.) will have on your riders. By looking at a file from a less fit rider who suffered in the class or was unable to do the prescribed workout, you will understand why some might struggle with your coaching. Or, maybe you might discover that some things you are doing might not be as effective as you thought. Read more…