One never knows what Tom is going to bring to his indoor cycling classes, workshops, presentations, or clinics. With his background and experience, it is sure to be cycling specific, motivational, educational, and entertaining.
As a master indoor cycling instructor, Tom draws from his experience as a USA Cycling Elite level coach and competitive cyclist to deliver a ride and training session with variety galore. His rides range from technical training, music themes, stages of the Tour de France (and other pro events and tours), racing through the city streets, and virtual rides from places around the world. During one ride Tom can torture you softly with steady-state endurance efforts, while another ride calls all muscle fibers to the table with explosive efforts and sprints. One moment brings the sounds of yoga rhythms and pulsing trance with the next the excitement of Latin, hip-hop, and rock. Regardless of the style, focus or venue, Tom is comfortable teaching on and off the bike.
As a presenter, Tom’s love for indoor cycling stems from his passion for coaching. He has worked with individuals, small groups and teams on all levels in his performance lab and on the road. Tom believes that coaching and creating a training plan should be based on a more complete picture. As a result, his services include biomechanics sessions (bike fitting), metabolic testing, mental training, performance nutrition, and muscle strength and conditioning. He serves as a consultant for local physical therapists concerning cycling-related injuries and on-bike rehabilitation. The knowledge Tom provides during his indoor cycling workshops and lectures are a product of both the latest training science and evidence-based research with over 300 clients.
In 2006, Tom founded Stage5 Cycling and created a comprehensive two-day indoor cycling instructor course and certification encompassing training for bike setup, safety, cardiovascular and muscular conditioning, ride profile design, working with music, and presentation skills. The education was based on the science of fitness and conditioning coupled with cycling-specific training and technique.
In 2010, Stage5 Cycling was acquired by Cycling Fusion with Tom assuming the role of director of education and sport. In two and a half years, he assisted in the creation of two indoor cycling instructor certifications. Tom delivered these workshops and certifications online (including live broadcast) and in clubs and studios around the country. He also traveled to Spain and Hawaii with Cycling Fusion’s brother company, Global Ride Productions, as a coach to film cycling training videos.
Tom is also a musician (drummer) with a degree in commercial arranging from Berklee College of Music. His music background, coupled with his previous career as a senior systems engineer, gives him a strong command of the technology required for music and video production. Tom frequently composes music and creates videos for indoor cycling and provides articles and workshops to teach instructors these skills.
Tom was the director of education and technology for ICA for three years. He moved on to a job in the tech industry (see? He has more talents than most of us have in our pinkie finger!) but continues to inspire us. We have so much great content from Tom’s time at ICA that we continue to recycle it. We plan to rope him in for an occasional article, interview, or podcast, so stay tuned!
Tom still teaches two indoor cycling classes per week in the Boston area. He has merged his degree from Berklee College of Music, coaching, technology, and presenter skills together to deliver something unique and special to the indoor cycling industry.