If you are fortunate enough teach in facility with bikes that have power meters, you might be wondering about how to use this tool most effectively in your classes. The first step is to establish a benchmark value to help define intensity and structure class profiles.Read more…
Unfortunately, many instructors and participants are intimidated by power at first because they think it’s too technical, too complicated, or only useful for “serious” cyclists. But once you understand the basics, it’s actually a very straightforward tool, and a great way to challenge and engage participants, regardless of whether they ride outside or not. Here are five ways teaching with power will be a game changer in your teaching.Read more…
With the New Year upon us, you will be getting a LOT of questions about calories burned in your cycling class. How much do you know about the calorie estimates you see on your heart rate monitor, computer console, or power meter? Are these estimates accurate? Here is everything you need to understand how the wrong information—or faulty understanding of the data—can lead you or your riders to believe they did more work than they actually did. Read more…
Do you know why we have the generally accepted cadence ranges that we do? Do you know how to teach your students to stay within these ranges? This handout will help you immensely!Read more…
After almost six years from its creation, this profile is still being requested by riders. It includes five original songs by Tom Scotto specifically created to challenge leg speed like never before. Download the PDF for this profile AND the five original tracks and let the fun begin!
RPMx is designed to help riders adapt to higher legs speeds and promote a higher average cadence. The adaptation to higher cadences is developed through neuromuscular training, muscle activation, and relaxation.Read more…
“Is there a way to cue a rider—in layman’s terms—so that they are not just using or mostly using their quads?” This is a great question and the answer is yes…and no.Read more…
Cadence is a sensitive topic in the world of indoor cycling instructors and indoor cycling programs. Friendships can begin and end in a conversation about it.Read more…
Suppose you hired a personal trainer. At your first session, your trainer, Jack, hands you 1 lb weights. You look at him doubtfully, but he smiles and says, “Trust me!” So you do dozens of biceps curls and shoulder presses and a few other exercises until your shoulder muscles areRead more…
“I brought my heart rate up to Zones 2, 3, and 4 and then changed cadence from 88 to 75, 70, and 60, adding resistance each time to keep the power the same. I stayed at each cadence for several minutes. My heart rate dropped considerably each time I lowered my cadence while maintaining the same power output. Did my heart rate drop because we use muscle more than cardio at lower cadences or is this an issue with the bike?”Read more…
What else can be done for a rider to improve their cadence range? I’ve got a rider who has been working with me for about a year and half. She is in her 50s and very fit. She runs, strength trains, and cycles about 2 times per week. She’s still unable to increase into the 90s. Her form and control are good and she can put out the watts, but just not at a high cadence. I know cadence ranges are individual and trainable, but is the 80s it for her?Read more…