How to Turn New Riders Into Your Biggest Fans, Part 1
The first few months of every year bring in many new riders to your classes. This two-part series will provide ample tips that show you care and will help remove some reasons that your riders might abandon their first try at indoor riding, while increasing the chances that these newbies become your biggest fans.
Read More...I Took an Extended Break from Teaching Fitness Classes. Here Is What Happened.
Many of us find ourselves in a situation where we are expected to have it all figured out, time to fit everything in, and, if something comes up that disrupts that finely oiled machine we call our daily schedule—well, chaos ensues.
Read More...The Imposter Syndrome: When Self-Doubt Keeps Us from Doing Our Best
Doubting yourself is natural. What you do about that doubt is important. It can make the difference in your success as an indoor cycling instructor and even in other parts of your life. Do you feel like an imposter sometimes? Here’s a dirty little secret that many professionals are afraid to admit.
Read More...FTP Testing: Can You Teach One Without Knowing What It’s Like Yourself?
The benefits of utilizing FTP to create individualized training zones for indoor riders are increasingly becoming understood by instructors who teach with power. This, and the tests to determine FTP, have been discussed in other articles on ICA. But is just knowing “how to” put your riders through an FTP test enough? Is there really a need to perform one on yourself in order to teach it?
Read More...New Bikes with Power Meters…Now Watt?!
Your facility has just gotten new bikes—this time with power meters—but your riders have no idea how to use them. What do you do? Pam Benchley, master trainer for Stages Cycling, gives some tips on how to brief your riders about the bikes and the new technology without blinding them with too much science. Keep it simple!
Read More...Teaching to a Variety of Different Abilities in One Class, Part 2: Seven Tips to Teaching to a Mixed Class
In Part 1 of Teaching to a Variety of Different Abilities, we discussed the four different categories that differentiate your riders. Here are seven tips to get you thinking about teaching to a mixed class.
Read More...Teaching to a Variety of Different Abilities in One Class, Part 1: Five Categories of Riders
The very simplicity of indoor cycling means that classes are often filled with participants who have a wide variety of fitness levels, skill levels, experience, and goals. This presents challenges for instructors who strive to be both attentive to each, yet mindful of all. Instructors may wonder if they’re able to give equal attention to all of the riders, or if that is even necessary. Subbing a class or teaching a regular class with an influx of new riders (typical in the new year) is a balancing act. Fortunately, these challenges come with opportunities for all instructors to up their game in coaching to varied abilities.
Read More...Ask the Expert: How to Work with an Obese or Very Unfit Rider?
This email I received brings up an immensely important issue—how to work with obese and/or very unfit students. There are many things you can do to make these students more comfortable and increase the chances they will return, but it takes some hand-holding. Are you willing to do what it takes?
Read More...My Cycling Class Today: A Locker Room Conversation that Helped a Rider Avoid Knee Pain in Indoor Cycling Class
Sara overheard a woman in the locker room complaining about knee pain after cycling class and saying she might quit riding. Sara knew she had to intervene in order to help give this woman the best chance of experiencing the joys of cycling.
Read More...Moving From Apprehensive to Inspirational
This is a story about a woman who had no idea what she could accomplish. A woman who reluctantly attended her very first cycling class with me six months ago on the advice of her personal trainer. A woman who feared the bike and was one of the most hesitant riders I’ve ever seen. She is now one of the strongest female riders I have ever had the pleasure to work with.
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