Master the Basics
Do You Coach Breath?
Heart rate. Zones. Intensity. Rate of Perceived Exertion. As cycling instructors, these words are as familiar to us as our own names. They are the foundation for ride profiles and account for much of our coaching and cuing. We can coach them in our sleep. But do you coach what is at the heart of…
Read MoreWhat’s Your Safety Sentence?
Do you have a safety sentence that you include in your class intro? My safety sentence is some form of: My job is to give you a great experience that’s safe and challenging and your job is to listen to your body and take on the challenges that are right for you today. I don’t…
Read MoreFour Myths About Recovery
Have you ever taken a challenging cycle class with an instructor who didn’t build in any recovery time? I have. The instructor had a lot of positive things going for her – authentic enthusiasm, awesome music, a strong voice – but the core of what she is responsible for delivering was missing: a smart ride…
Read MoreProfile Symbols
Wondering what those symbols we use in the profiles mean? Download the attachment to unlock the mystery! Pam and I are Mad Dogg Spinning certified so we use these Spinning symbols as shorthand to represent standard movements. I use a printout of my ride in class so I like being able to see at a…
Read MoreResistance: Tackling the Why
In our video “Finding the Right Resistance,” we address what too little, too much and “just right” resistance looks and feels like. But what about “the Why”? Why might you favor a lighter or heavier resistance than the instructor is challenging you to find? For lighter resistance, the three most common reasons I hear are:…
Read MoreFinding the Right Resistance!
Indoor Cyclists: Make the most of your ride with the right resistance. Use the “Goldilocks for Cyclists” guide: How much is too little, too much and just right? Share this!
Read MorePost Ride Stretching
Do you let “sleepy habits” creep into your post-ride stretches? Master Instructor Pam Blum shows you how to get the most out of those critical post-ride stretches so you’re ready for the next ride! Share this!
Read MoreThree Tips for Nailing Your Class Intro
Karen shares three tips for constructing an awesome introduction to your ride. Sometimes we’re so focused on coming up with an interesting profile and fresh playlist, we forget to spend time on how to articulate what our riders are going to do and why it will benefit them. Your intro is the perfect opportunity to…
Read MoreQuick Bike Set-Up Tips
This is a short version of our Proper Bike Set-Up video – tips for hitting the key components of set-up when time is of the essence. Like when new riders come in one minute before class start time and need assistance (not that that ever happens ☺). Share this!
Read MoreLeading Post-Ride Upper Body Stretches
Pam takes us through four post-ride upper body stretches. Her yoga and Pilates knowledge and language shines through in the details of how to lead riders through these super important stretches and why they’re worth doing. Share this!
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