Welcome to the Indoor Cycling Association
Identity Crisis…Are You a True Fitness Professional?
Today’s landscape of fitness classes is a vast array of choices both for participants and instructors. When it comes to indoor cycling, in some situations you are bound by the style your facility expects, in other situations you are at a licensed facility required to teach specific formats by the book, and in others your imagination is the only limit. The goal of this article is to answer the question, regardless of the style, format, or intention of the class you teach…are you a true fitness professional?Read more…
RIP Avicii…So Talented, So Young
All this time I was finding myself, and I didn’t know I was lost.Read more…
Muscular Strength Profile: Stampede!
If you love proving that indoor cycling is not just for cardio bunnies, this is the profile for you. The overall goal is to place as much force on the leg muscles as possible for the duration of each muscular strength interval. Consider this profile the equivalent of performing single-leg squats or lunges—800 of them!
The intervals are short, but they are intense. If done correctly, each interval will bring a rider close to failure in the last seconds.Read more…
Ask the Expert: Is It Ever OK to Touch a Rider’s Resistance Knob?
I was asked if there is ever a reason for the instructor to turn someone’s resistance knob for them. While as a general rule I would say it’s not advised, I have three scenarios where I believe it can be helpful.Read more…
Friday Favorites: Breathe in the Warm-Up
This “otherworldly” song is perfect for a warm-up, giving you time to talk about your profile and prepare your riders for the challenges ahead. Let them pedal, breathe, connect, and “dial it in.” Let’s get ready to ride!Read more…
Ask The Expert: What is a Surge vs an Attack?
Laura asks the difference between a surge and an attack. This is an important distinction that all instructors should know. Included are some cues to help you describe them to your riders.Read more…
Quick Profile: Strength Endurance Hill Repeats
Pedaling at lower cadences with higher resistance develops leg strength the same way lifting a heavier weight in the gym increases muscular strength. Today’s profile consists of hill repeats that focus on developing leg strength through strength endurance training. l often use recovery songs that are from one artist and album—I think you’ll enjoy the ones used in this profile.Read more…
Join Jennifer Sage in DC for a Workshop on Successful Theme Rides!
Come join me at OffRoad DC cycling studio in Washington DC on Friday, April 6th, for a workshop from 6–8 pm on how to make your theme rides more successful and fun. You’ll leave with loads of exciting new tips for creating theme rides that your riders will be clamoring to get into! You can also take on the challenge of the Quest for Knighthood on Sunday. Read more…
What is Adrenal Fatigue Syndrome?
The effects of stress do not simply impact one’s mental health. It is well documented that stress also has an influence on physical well-being. Considering the causes of adrenal fatigue syndrome it is easy to imagine how busy indoor cycling instructors could be at risk for developing this condition. Read more…
Managers Wondered Why I Always Had a Full Cycle Class…and Others Didn’t
Last week one of the club managers came to take my class to do some reconnaissance in order to figure out my secret for filling my classes. Here are 15 things I do for every class that few of the other instructors do—these are likely the reasons why I have a waiting list and they don’t.Read more…