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In: Class Profiles, Communication and Presentation Skills, Instructor Issues & growth
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I hope you enjoyed the video of how I present the reset to my classes (I use the last example, of course). What I realize is I have the benefit of knowing exactly what this reset actually looks like in terms of profiles. In order to give you this benefit and resulting confidence, I’m going to provide an outline of five profiles I use during the first three months of the year. Here is the first profile outline: Aerobic Conditioning.Read more…

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In: Form and Technique, Instructor Issues & growth, New Instructors, Programming and Management
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There is rarely enough time to work with brand-new students in your regular classes. If you have the luxury of scheduling beginner classes at your studio or club, here is a list of what you should include in these first-timer classes that will help them master the movements and feel less intimidated about venturing into regular classes. This is one of the best ways to provide a continuous flow of new riders to your classes.Read more…

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In: Free Articles, ICA Training & Workshops
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ICA member Tammar Berger, owner of Off Road Indoor Cycling in Washington, DC, created this amazing short trailer for their upcoming Halloween ride. She gave a few quick tips on how she did it, but it made me think…what would you think if we created a course on how to do this yourself? Video is incredibly powerful to promote your program—you might as well take advantage of it!Read more…

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In: Communication and Presentation Skills, Instructor Issues & growth
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In part 1, we presented the value of doing a physical, mental, and energy reset in your classes as a new year begins. In part 2, we described the elements that make up a reset and refocus. In part 3, I thought it would be helpful to provide a video example of how to talk to your riders about this “reset” in a way that gets them excited about the classes to come. I even included two examples of what NOT to do.Read more…

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In: Class Profiles
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This particular ride is written to be performed as much as it is to be coached. The instructor takes the position as a guide on a Haunted Bike Tour past a graveyard, through Halloween Town, into the woods, past a second graveyard, and concludes with a steep ascent to Dracula’s castle. The more theatrical—the better! Might I suggest ridiculous glasses or a witch/mad hatter hat…and a fog machine?Read more…

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In: General Coaching, Instructor Issues & growth, Programming and Management
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We are not taking away training or barricading treadmills and indoor bikes; instead we are offering them a much needed change in how they work out. Honestly, the efforts are not easier, just different. In part 2, we will discuss one of the keys to getting your riders salivating over a reset—knowing what you are selling.Read more…

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In: Instructor Issues & growth
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The workout is intense. High-intensity intervals run amok. Full out! All out! Everything you got! This is the mode we have been in over the summer months and early fall weeks. For many, this is known as peak fitness; earned after months and months of dedicated riding and training. When we achieve this level of fitness and the associated intensity, we don’t want it to stop. Herein lies the problem. Unless we dial it back and let the body fully recover, we not only fail to improve further, but eventually lose what we’ve gained…or worse. How do we transition our riders out of an intensity frenzy and prepare them to reset and rebuild their fitness at the start of another year? Read more…

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In: Coaching and Cueing, Communication and Presentation Skills, Instructor Issues & growth
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In part 1 we discussed how to prepare our riders for a sub. In part 2 we threw out suggestions for finding an ideal sub for your class. Welcome to part 3—where you are the sub. It can be nerve-wracking to walk into a party not knowing anyone. My strategy in this case it to find someone who also appears uncomfortable and introduce myself. Eventually I build a posse that allows me to move freely about the cabin. This tactic doesn’t work when your goal is not to mingle, but command the room. I’m going to share my strategy to increase your chances of success and potentially keep the jitters down to a dull roar.Read more…