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So far in the Coaching Series, we have looked at the concept of coaching in an indoor cycling class and we’ve examined ways to shift from being a technically adequate instructor toward being a more intuitive and inspirational coach. Now we look at the rider, who is, in a rider-centered environment, the single most important aspect of the class.Read more…

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In: Communication and Presentation Skills, Free Articles, General Fitness, Instructor Issues & growth
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Like many things in the fitness industry, the mantra “no pain, no gain” has been misused and misrepresented. Has the mantra provided trainers and instructors with a license to kill? Has it become a means to an unknowledgeable end? Has the mantra set an unrealistic and unhealthy expectation for its victims?Read more…

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In part 1 of the Coaching Series, we considered the various uses of the word “coach” in different professions. A common thread through corporate, life, financial, athletic, etc. coaching is an alliance between the coach and coachee for enhanced performance. At the heart of the coaching relationship is an understanding that the person who is being coached is responsible for the bulk of the work. The role of the coach is to clarify, explore options with the client and provide accountability.Read more…

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In: Communication and Presentation Skills, Free Articles, Programming and Management
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Have you ever wondered what all the hype was about hashtags, those silly tic-tac-toe–looking things you see on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and other social media platforms? #dotheysometimesgetonyournerves? Watch this 3-minute video by media expert Amanda Vogel to help you understand how to use this strange but ubiquitous feature of social media.Read more…

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In: Ask the Expert, Physiology, Heart Rate & RPE
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ICA member Dana asked a question about coaching 20-minute field tests in the comments section of the ICA master profile for field testing. Because it’s a question I get a lot, and I believe all instructors can benefit from the reply, I am posting it here as an Ask the Expert: Is teaching this profile once a month too much?Read more…

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This is the first part in a series by ICA contributor, Cori Parks. Indoor cycling began with Johnny G’s inspired quest to train better, both physically and mentally, long before it was ever about incinerating calories or vying for instructor or program popularity. Now that indoor cycling has made its name in the realm of cardio conditioning and proven its ongoing relevance in the fitness industry, the cycling instructor has a unique opportunity to reach a wide spectrum of participants.Read more…

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Every instructor has their own style and preference for when to teach on or off the bike. We’ve published a number of articles to this effect with general guidelines and suggestions for effective approaches. A few members asked specifically about the effectiveness of teaching Tabata, and other high-intensity intervals, on and off the bike. Here is my approach.Read more…