The dreaded 20 min FTP. Subject of many a discussion: is it necessary? Is it useful? Is it for everyone? My riders are not outdoor cyclists, so what is the point? Wouldn’t it scare new people away? This article will …
Is It My Way or the Highway? How Much Freedom to Allow Your Indoor Cycling Class Participants?
“It’s their workout, let them do whatever they want as long as they are moving”
As an instructor, I don’t believe in this approach in principle. I do care about what my riders do in my spin class BUT there …
Don’t Judge a Book by the Cover – Reflections on the First Class of 2019
I started teaching this particular class a couple of months ago and attendance has been poor as the time slot is not the best for the location. I did have 7 riders once, but overall it is more like 3 …
Meet the Beginners – How to Teach Indoor Cycling Class to a Mixed Ability Group
I love participating in FB forums for indoor cycling instructors. I have a few firm favourites that are serious mines of knowledge, advice and examples of class profiles.
There is one for power coaches that gets so deep into serious …
PANIC at the Studio – Can Getting Fit Be Scary?
Fitness means different things to different people and getting fit can be a daunting prospect. Whether someone feels the pressure from the media, themselves or their GP warned them about their blood pressure or gave them the dreaded BMI number …
“Just Look at That Body: I Work Out!” Is Instructors’ Physique Important?
A few months ago, I saw an article written by a master trainer about the importance of your physical appearance, basically being ripped, when you are a cycling instructor. The message of the article was that you should be looking …
“I Tried to Be Like Grace Kelly (…) Why don’t you like me?!” What to Do When Class Numbers Stay Low?
“Do I attract you, do I repulse you
With my queasy smile?
Am I too dirty? Am I too flirty?
Do I like what you like?
I could be wholesome, I could be loathsome
I guess I’m a little bit …
You Win Some You Lose Some – group exercise instructor’s guide to dealing with rejection
Some people compare the role of an indoor cycling instructor to that of an entertainer, a DJ or a performer. It certainly has some similarities and it definitely shares two important aspects with the acting profession: auditions and having to …
You Gotta Fight! For Your Right! To a Professional Instructor.
Do it with passion or not at all – on or off the bike
Every so often a discussion unravels on the online forums for indoor cycling instructors: do you teach on the bike or off the bike? This post is not about pros and cons of each. I am also not trying to …