Welcome to the Indoor Cycling Association
143 Tracks For Your Back-to-School and Labor Day Playlists
Yes, it’s that time of the year: Labor Day and Back to School! Here are a total of 143 songs you can use in your end-of-summer themed playlists. I’ve also included the Spotify links for both a Labor Day and a Back-to-School playlist.Read more…
Sub Standards, Part 1: Respect My Subs, or Else
It is not uncommon for riders to play favorites when it comes to which indoor cycling classes they will take. As instructors, we see our regulars every week. They often go out of their way to tell us how good of a job we are doing and how much they loved the whooping we just planted on them. The indoor cycling world spins happily on it’s axis week to week, and all is well until…we need to find someone to substitute our class. Chaos. Struggle. Picketing. Riots. Panic.Read more…
Ever Ride to Live Music and Dance?
A month ago I told you about the series of Journey Rides that Charleston Ride studio in South Carolina was hosting this summer. I’ve been following their Facebook page as they post the promotions and follow-ups to these special events. Last week was the ride Into Africa, taught by DanRead more…
3 Tips for Teaching Off the Bike
It can be intimidating and awkward to instruct an indoor cycling class off the bike. Our bike seat can become a security blanket—a comfortable, happy place. However, getting off the bike and mingling with our riders can enhance their experience and allow them to draw closer to us as their instructor or coach. Read more…
Profile: Woodstock Revival
This weekend marks the 45th anniversary of Woodstock. To celebrate this generation-defining event, I’ve put together a profile using songs performed. This should bring some smiles to your students on the north side of 50, or those with a penchant for classic rock! Read more…
Food For Thought: Does “Picture How You’ll Look In That Dress!” Motivate Riders?
Some instructors motivate their students to reach the top of that hill because of the way it will make them feel, for the confidence it will build in them, for the realization that if they can do that, they can do anything they set their minds to. Others yell at riders to push to the top of the mountain so they can fit into a certain dress for the summer, or because they’ll look good when they go out at night. Which one are you?Read more…
CHART: Zones. Thresholds. Energy Systems. Fuel Systems.
As requested, here is the full version of the chart I referenced in the article on aerobic capacity. A similar version was created when developing the curriculum for Cycling Fusion’s Level 2 Heart Zones Certification workshop. I have since modified the chart to overlay the zones and indicate the thresholds’ aliases. Read more…
Is Indoor Cycling NOT Intended for Cyclists?
This post was prompted by some great points made by ICA member Chuck on the article titled, “How To HIIT on Outdoor Riders.” The overarching question is: “Why are we trying to bring outdoor riders to indoor cycling classes?” We’d love your input—will you take our poll?Read more…
Handling Objections to “Keeping it Real” in a Heart-Centered Way
Have you encountered a challenge when trying to respond to people’s comments, critiques, or attacks about cycling-specific techniques or the Keep it Real philosophy? Would you like a template to answer the naysayers using non-confrontational, heart-centered means of responding, without putting down the individual? Then help me compile the most challenging questions, and I’ll create a template for you!Read more…
How to HIIT on Outdoor Cyclists
Regardless of whether you are an indoor cycling instructor, the director of a large fitness chain, or an indoor cycling studio owner, the goal is always to attract clients. To date, the indoor cycling industry has yet to attract the outdoor cycling masses. I’m going to use the example of HIIT (high-intensity interval training) to illustrate the challenge we face in attracting cyclists in addition to making programs more enticing and effective.Read more…