Welcome to the Indoor Cycling Association
ICA Master Class: Coaching The Twenty-Minute Field Test
This is Part 2 of the revamped field testing articles. This one is the actual coaching of the field test. I’ve amended some of the cues to help you coach your students better through this grueling but very important assessment. Also, I’ve completely redone my playlist, and have provided tips on what kind of music to use, as well as a suggested list of over 60 additional songs to use in your field tests!Read more…
Audio Master Class: Threshold Field Testing–Why It’s Important
This is a re-write and re-recording of a past Audio Master Class on field testing. I have updated the information and reduced the options to the simpler 20-minute field test rather than include the more confusing options of 8-minute vs 20-minute field tests. For less fit or new students, I still recommend the Talk Test. This first post is the physiology and explanation, how to explain it to your students, and what to do with the numbers once you’ve done the testing. This will be followed up with a complete written and recording of a 20-minute field test Audio Master Class with coaching and cueing ideas and a completely new playlist.Read more…
Ask the Expert: Why Not Higher Resistance (Hill) Field Tests?
Moritz asked an excellent question in the comments of the recent Lactate Threshold Field Test post about why I suggest a higher cadence flat instead of a faster hill climb for field testing. You’re going to learn the important reasons why a faster cadence is preferred for a field test, but you’ll also learn that there is a time and a place for a fast uphill time trial! Learn here why, when and how!Read more…
Don’t Just Sit There! Lifestyle Lessons From Recent Research
Dr. Jennifer Klau gives it to you straight. The data are in, and sitting is not what our bodies are meant to be doing for long periods. But don’t take that to mean the time on your bike; it’s the other 23 hours of the day you need to be concerned with!Read more…
A New Benefit of Indoor Cycling for People With Parkinson’s
Can indoor cycling be an effective intervention in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and other neurological conditions?Read more…
Learning Styles, or Why I Love My Whiteboard
Every one of us has different methods of assimilating information. When you coach your students, you should understand that the learning styles of your students may be very different. Christine presents one of the simplest and most effective ways to make sure you are delivering your coaching so that all of your students in your classes can understand what you are trying to say. After reading this article you will have numerous ideas for incorporating all styles into your teaching.Read more…
Riding Outdoors 101: Gearing Up
One of the beauties of indoor cycling is that it inspires many instructors to become cyclists, and some instructors even inspire their students to ride outside (one of my favorite things). But sometimes the world of cycling can be a little intimidating. At ICA, we want to help you discover the world of outdoor riding and help you answer your students’ questions about outdoor riding as well as indoor! Read more…
Field Testing to Estimate Lactate Threshold
This is an updated version of last year’s Master Class on field testing. I now recommend the talk test for less fit or new students, or when you are introducing heart rate training to your students, and the 20-minute field test for your more fit students. In this article I explain why the 8-minute Carmichael field tests are probably not going to be as useful, unless you are a trained Carmichael coach. . . . Read more…
Product Review: Video interview on Class Builder from Cycling Fusion Part 3
Jennifer Sage, March 27, 2012 Here is part 3 of my interview with Gene. Hopefully some of you are getting very curious about Class Builder! It can really change your world as an instructor!Read more…
Incredible New Cue For Balancing Intensity
In my periodized 12-week cycling clinic, today is the first day we intentionally went into Zone 5 (above threshold) for longer than a handful of seconds. Yup, HIT baby! I used an incredible cue that I learned from Gene Nacey to help my students understand the importance of balance. In fact, it’s also a teaser to an upcoming product you all may be interested in. . . . Read more…