For so many years I’ve heard cycling instructors lament that “Students get bored if the class is cycling specific, so I need to [add silly move here] or they won’t come to class!” Well, I have news for you…maybe it’s not the moves or technique that are boring; maybe it’s you! Here are 13 ways you can be sure to keep students engaged while riding and committed to your classes without resorting to silly gimmicks on the bike. Read more…
We’ve all had moments when a student disrupts our class by talking a little too loudly. It annoys us, the instructor, because we lose our flow and concentration. We also know it annoys their fellow students and makes it hard for them to follow our cues, but what can we do about it? In part 1, Bill Roach discusses several steps you can take to keep students in line. Jennifer Sage has some additional advice that will be posted in part 2.Read more…
While instructors most often lead adults in group exercise classes, we also share many parallels with teachers of children. Check out Rita Pierson’s TED Talk, “Every Kid Needs a Champion,” to see how she prioritizes personal connection or relationship over all else when helping children succeed. You’ll find some great ideas to bring into the cycling studio.Read more…
All instructors are entitled to deference and respect, but in the absence of a ‘superhero cape,’ unfortunately respect is not as common as it should be. Instructors, do you get the respect you should? If not, consider weaving your own “don’t-mess-with-me” cape, and perhaps you can also wield the seven special “superhero” powers that Christine’s gives her. Read more…
Last week a lawsuit was filed against SoulCycle alleging negligence on the part of the studio and the instructor that led to a serious injury by the plaintiff. This is a case that instructors and studios around the world should be watching closely. In this article, we provide 13 best practices to help protect yourself from legal actions. You may want to share this with your entire staff and with your peers in the industry.Read more…
Cori Parks pens an open letter to all indoor cycling studios asking them to put safety before popularity. Read more…
TBT (Throwback Thursday) Have you ever had a brand-new student walk into class who required so much of your time that it took away from your ability to coach your class? How do you balance helping the new unfit person and catering to your regulars? Where do your responsibilities lie and where should the line be drawn? The suggestions presented here, while beneficial to all instructors, are especially helpful for newer instructors to indoor cycling.Read more…
Every time I’m forced to teach without a microphone, I think about those instructors who do not believe in using a mic. They believe instructing without a mic does not affect their teaching or the experience they deliver. They could not be more wrong.Read more…
If you are one of those instructors who loves to bring the experience of riding outdoors to your indoor riders, now is the time to get them excited. Give them a taste of the Tour de France (TDF) and introduce them to some of the fun we enjoy during one of the greatest sporting events of all time. Here are some recommendations for leaning TDF lingo, visualizing the terrain and intensity, and connecting the experience of outdoor cycling to your indoor riders.Read more…
Bill arrives at the studio to teach his class, but there is a construction team at the front of the room, just minutes before class starts. What does he do? Learn from Bill’s experience in effectively managing a challenging situation, and apply it to others that you might encounter. Your response will have an effect on how your riders respond!Read more…