Welcome to the Indoor Cycling Association
TBT: Do You Need to Teach Recovery? Part 2: The Benefits of Recovery
In part 2 of our discussion on teaching recovery, I define workload, recovery, and adaptation and give you examples of when you ABSOLUTELY do need to teach recovery classes. You will also learn how to teach your students about taking responsibility for their own recovery.Read more…
The Motivation Paradigm, Part 2: Intrinsic vs. Extrinsic Motivation
We recognize that “you must do this to be healthy” is a poor motivator for most people. Our physical and emotional needs are too complex and too conflicted to respond to a simple “if, then” approach. Higher functions like these are addressed better by more intrinsic motivational factors, namely autonomy, mastery, and purpose.Read more…
Mountain Biking, Camping, and Refugees
Here in the Rocky Mountains, the snowline that has already covered our higher peaks is getting lower and lower, and it won’t be long until snow is an almost daily reality. I thought I’d share some photos of our last-ditch efforts to squeeze out some mountain bike rides in the high desert, before we hang up our bikes for the winter and ride exclusively inside. And yes, there is a reason why I wrote “refugees” in the title of this post. Please continue reading to find out why…Read more…
Ask the Expert: Cues for Quad Dominance
“Is there a way to cue a rider—in layman’s terms—so that they are not just using or mostly using their quads?” This is a great question and the answer is yes…and no.Read more…
The Motivation Paradigm
Do you have riders who struggle to make it to class, despite their desire to become regular exercisers? Are they overwhelmed by short-term obstacles that get in their way? Here are three steps you can take to help your students (or clients if you are a personal trainer) stay even more committed to their fitness. Read more…
The Coach Approach: Teacher vs. Instructor vs. Coach
While teaching and instructing certainly happen in every indoor cycling class, the ability to act as a coach sets indoor cycling apart from many other group fitness formats. Cori explains the difference between each one, and how they are utilized in the cycling studio. Read more…
Instructor Spotlight: Caroline Rigby—I Can do Better Than That!
Caroline Rigby is an example of a person who sees something amiss, and decides to fix it…by learning how to do that thing herself. Her determination will inspire you! Read more…
Inside to Outside—My Journey to Ironman
Pam Benchley is a master educator for Stages Indoor Cycling who recently completed her first Ironman. Her journey from “No Way” to “What if?” to “Holy Cow! Look what I did!” is so inspiring, it might even have you revisiting one of your own “what if” dreams.Read more…
The Myth of Maximum Heart Rate
For today’s TBT (Throwback Thursday) we are reposting one of the articles that became the foundation for ICA’s philosophy of heart rate training. Instructors should understand why maximum heart rate is not a good anchor for training zones, and instead learn how to perform field tests and talk tests so they can more accurately guide their riders to success.Read more…
The Language of the Coach Approach: 3 Crucial Elements of Coaching Style for Top-Notch Indoor Cycling Instructors
When you look back at all of the indoor cycling classes you’ve ever taken, is there one instructor who just seemed to reach down to the very core of your existence and get you? Read more…