Jennifer Sage Advice Blog – Indoor Cycling Association

I love a powerful headline like that!

That is the headline of an article on Livescience.com on a study published in the May 15th issue of the Journal of Physiology on whether consuming a lot of high-fructose corn syrup affects how your brain works. And the answer they came up with is that yes, indeed, consuming a lot of high-fructose corn syrup “alters your brain’s ability to learn and remember information”. But the good news is that “adding omega-3 fatty acids to your meals can help minimize the damage.”

Make sure to read this article and share it with your students.

As instructors and coaches guiding our students and clients to better health through exercise, remember to gently remind them that their health doesn’t end at the studio walls – it actually begins

This is a reprint of a newsletter that ICA member Bill Roach sends out to his cycling students. He’s been doing this for several years and has become a master at it. In his newsletter, he lets them know about upcoming events, subs, and schedule changes. Primarily however, he educates them on fitness, nutrition, and cycling training related information such as lactate threshold, heart rate training, the need for recovery, contraindicated moves, proper technique, breathing, etc.  He’s reposted many of my free articles for his students’ benefit. (You can do that too – just contact me!)

Bill is the one who has spearheaded bringing me out for a weekend of workshops to their YMCA in Waukee, Iowa this coming weekend. If you are anywhere near Des Moines, Iowa, we would love you to join us. Click here

Here are two opportunities to come ride and learn with Jennifer in the next few weeks. One in Des Moines, Iowa May 18-20 and the other in Cincinnati, Ohio June 1-3. ICA members receive 10% off of all sessions. Anyone signing up for all four sessions receive the eBook Keep it Real as a gift.

Des Moines, Iowa
May 18-20, at the Waukee Family YMCA
210 N. Warrior Lane
Waukee, IA 50263
515-987-9996
(Hwy 6 Hickman road exit off of I35/80, call for specific directions)
Click here to register and to read the workshops descriptions

The sessions:
Fri May 18, Alpe d’Huez (Master Class)
Sat May 19: Why Should I Keep it Real? (2-hour workshop)
Sat May 19: Mastering the Art and Science of HR Training (4-hr workshop and ride)
Sun May 20:

I just returned from a cycling vacation in Hawaii where we were a part of future virtual ride DVD for Global Ride. Here is a video that Peter Guellard, Cycling Fusion/Global Ride videographer extraordinaire, put together of the trip. You can see the camaraderie, excitement and fun that we had. There were two separate groups over two weeks. The first on the Big Island of Hawaii, the second week in Kauai (my husband Jeff and I were in Kauai). After watching this video, you might ask how you can be a part of such a fun trip? I’ll tell you how…

This was one of the most amazing vacations I’ve ever had, and I’m no stranger to bike tours. I own a bicycle tour company

Another guest blog by Gene Nacey of Cycling Fusion, from his new blog Evidence Based Cycling

Until I took the red pill (see initial post), I spent 95% of my working life in healthcare; specifically workflow methods and technology. As I got more and more involved on the clinical side of the equation, I began to learn about a distinct approach to the real life practice of delivering care to the patient called Evidence Based Medicine. In some ways, it looked to put to bed some of the same issues I feel burdened with as I continue to teach Indoor Cycling Instructors and coach competitive riders; that of competing opinions or treatment protocols for the same set of symptoms or circumstances.

In the

Spinning® instructor Peggy Dyer

An instructor sent me this link in Facebook to a video on About.com titled “What Happens in a Spinning Class.” (I am unable to embed the video here).

Sometimes the things you read or watch on About.com are a bit iffy, because they don’t always seek out experts who have a solid background in what they are talking about – especially some of the fitness advice. So when I saw the title “What Happens in a Spinning Class” I have to admit, I prepared myself for the worst. I had visions of them lifting weights and doing pushups on the bike, and pedaling at breakneck cadences while bouncing around like popcorn.

But, I was in for a pleasant surprised… Hey, it’s Peggy Dyer! I know Peggy, and she does an awesome job

Who else remembers this – The Crystal Light Aerobics Championships of the 1980′s? I remember dreaming about competing. I was one of those teal and fuscia unitard and thong-wearing, leg-warmer and head-band sporting, kick-as-high-as-you-can aerobics instructors of the 1980′s. (yup, I’m dating myself!) Man was that a crazy (but fun) time. I lived in San Francisco and André Houle of the SF Bay Club (where I dreamed of teaching aerobics) was one of the big winners every year.

This is too funny!

Good reviews of your indoor cycling studio are important. Excellent ones are even better. But when you get a rockin’ review from a world class triathlete (especially one who is going to race Lance Armstrong), then you’ve knocked it out of the stratosphere!

ICA member Kathy Erlich-Sheffer opened up Cycledelic studio last summer in Rochester, New York. I’ve known her for several years and watched as she has gone from dreaming about her own studio, to the scary steps of leasing the space and deciding on bikes, to hiring instructors to opening her doors. She and her staff of instructors are devoted to keeping it real. They still get the student who comes in and wants to lift weights in class “like they do down in New York City” but Kathy and her instructors (several

I just taught the Energia Magica ride at the Fitness Fest in Scottsdale Arizona, and it reminded me why I love, love, love this ride. I know you will too!

It is such an epic climb, so reminiscent of a true, challenging outdoor ride in majestic mountains. The cues are so different than any I’ve ever used, the concept is different – it’s truly a “magical energy” ride! I am teaching this in New York City on Friday May 11 at 6:30 pm. Please come ride it with me – imagine you have a huge climbing goal in the Alpes or Rocky Mountains – this will take you there!

Click here for more information and to sign up. And thanks to Moritz in Switzerland, ICA member who created this flyer for me! ICA