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In: Teaching with Power
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As more and more indoor bikes arrive equipped with power meters, the quest for ways to use this new tool can be frustrating. I’ve witnessed everything from a mega-complicated threshold drill with convoluted calculations to extremely simple and very wrong applications of watts, best described as WTF (not an acronym for watts per threshold test or anything remotely appropriate).

This series will present three simple methods for incorporating power into your classes so that everyone, from the weight-loss conscious fitness enthusiast to the outdoor cyclist, can participate and have fun.Read more…

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Anyone planning on a Mardi Gras or Carnival theme ride? Put on a mask and some purple and gold beads, hand out beads to your students and play some Brazil or New Orleans inspired carnival tunes, and you’ve got yourself a party! I’ve done some searching for songs for your playlist and have come up with dozens of songs ranging from Brazilian Samba or Batacuda, New Orleans Jazz, Cajun and Zydeco, French Carnival, and other songs about New Orleans in general. Let us know in the comments if you have some more ideas. (FREE ARTICLE)Read more…

Valentine's Profile

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In: Class Profiles
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REPOST from the archives: Sweet Poison represents a box of Valentine’s chocolates. This profile riffs on Jennifer’s Trick or Treat Halloween ride but, in this case, after selecting a song it will be up to each student to design an activity for the class. In doing so they will have to take into account their knowledge, personal preferences, and the reactions of the other students. You AND your students will be taking some risks with this profile…but isn’t that what love means as well?Read more…

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I woke up one morning and the thought hit me: “There are so many great songs on the ICA website submitted by master instructors; I should build a profile solely from this music library.”

As is customary at the beginning of the year, I build four profiles for the purpose of delivering base conditioning to my riders. Next up on the docket was a leg speed and technique workout, so I dug into all the great music contributions to create this profile.Read more…

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In: Free Articles, Teaching with Power
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If you are a fan of FTP (Functional Threshold Power) or are aching to learn more, enjoy this article from one of the masters of power, Joe Friel.

In the upcoming weeks, ICA will present a series entitled “Power for the Masses.” This series will explore three different ways we can incorporate power in our classes. These articles will be especially beneficial for those who have struggled to implement FTP and are looking for additional power “tools” for their indoor cycling instructor belt.Read more…

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In: Coaching and Cueing, Form and Technique, Physiology, Heart Rate & RPE
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Ever notice how standing affects your heart rate? How long does it take to return to where it was prior to standing (if cadence and resistance/power are the same)? Many riders might not notice the effect on their heart rate, so this eye-opening climbing drill brings it to their attention and teaches them the tricks to bring it back down.Read more…

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In: Free Articles, Instructor Issues & growth
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Have you ever walked into class and just known it was going to be one of those days? At the front of the room sit the fitness warriors, donning serious faces as they set their heart rate monitors and fine-tune their bike setup. At the back of the room a small riot brews. There is tons of chatter, laughter, and a couple of folks whose voices project more than is tolerable. The front row is noticeably annoyed.Read more…