Under Construction This Coming Weekend

www.indoorcycleinstructor.com will be down during this weekend for an upgrade starting Friday evening 9/3.

Small Class? Maybe It Isn’t Your Fault…

What if you discovered, after struggling with a consistently small class, that the problem wasn’t you or your teaching, but that people simply couldn’t find your studio when searching online?

Now you may be thinking; “John, my studio has a web site.” “When someone Googles [indoor cycling class or Spinning class + your city] I’m certain we show up.”

You know what they say about making assumptions…

I teach for a large “Big Box” health club and I always assumed that they were great marketers. They would never make the simple mistake of not being Findable online.

So for fun I decided to try a search for myself. I Googled [Indoor Cycling Eden Prairie, MN] and the results floored me. None of my clubs showed up on the map Google showed. NOT ANY OF THEM! Just two bike shops. Please forgive me when I tell you that my initial reaction was WT_ is this!

Click here to see a map I made showing all the Indoor Cycling Studios missing from the results in Google from my little corner of the world. This isn’t Google’s fault. It’s a complete oversight by my club’s management and/or whoever is responsible for online marketing.

Now if I have you just a little curious, try this Online Findability Test on your studio or club…

Pretend you woke up this morning and decided to take your very first Spinning Indoor Cycling Class. Two questions you need answered are; “where can I find a class” and “what times are the class”

Most people nowadays will do a simple Google (or Yahoo or Bing) search for indoor cycling & the name of your town. Try it now and see what you find. If you also teach another format try that as well.

What did you find? A Map listing? Search results listing? Nothing?

If you did find your studio or club on the (hopefully) first page, click on the link and see where is takes you. Does it obvious answer those two questions; “where is it” and “what time is the class” ???

Leave me a comment with the results of your search.

Now many of you know that I’m all about solving problems for myself and other Fitness Professionals. So I have started a new blog and Podcast all about solving this problem of Online Findability for the studios where many of us teach.

Check it out at Fitness Studio Marketing if you are interested… or maybe forward the link to someone who has some work to do

Changes are a coming!

We are making a number of big changes to indoorcycleinstructor.com and it’s our hope to be ready to implement them (fingers crossed) over the Labor Day weekend September 4th – 5th. The changes include a much improved navigation system, a new community building tool and a better look and feel of the site. Stay tuned…

And they said it wouldn’t last

Today www.indoorcycleinstructor.com is TWO YEARS OLD!

What started as a bit of a whim has grown into something kind of special, don’t you think?

If you would like to go back the my very first post, and then work your way through all 473 posts published to date, start here:

http://www.indoorcycleinstructor.com/icipro-instructor-training/video-tutorials/introduction-to-training-rates/

24 Audio PROfiles Published and lots more on the way

I just counted and in just 10 short months we have published 24 different Audio PROfiles! All but one are available exclusively for our ICI/PRO members. Each Audio PROfile includes an instructional .mp3 that teaches you exactly how to coach each class, delivered automatically to iTunes. The companion PDF download has all the info you need to bring up on the bike + a suggested music class playlist.

Isn’t it time for you to join ICI/PRO now?

Here are the links to each Audio PROfile

Here is the free Audio PROfile – ICI Podcast #53 – Over/Under Interval Class PROfile from Jennifer Sage

ICI/PRO Podcast #109 – Tour de France 2010 Stage 17 Le Tourmalet Audio Profile

ICI/PRO Podcast #108 – Strength Intervals Video PROfile

ICI/PRO Podcast #105 – Explosive Power Audio PROfile with Tom Scotto from Stage 5 Cycling

ICI/PRO Podcast #104 – The Delicious Ride Audio Profile

ICI/PRO Podcast #101 Giro Stage 6 Audio PROfile

ICI/PRO Podcast #100 – Climb, Rinse & Repeat Audio PROfile

ICI/PRO Podcast #97 – Turbocharge Audio PROfile

ICI/PRO Podcast #95 – RPMx Audio PROfile with Tom Scotto from Stage 5 Cycling

ICI PRO Podcast # 92 – Loop de Loop Audio Profile

ICI/PRO Podcast #89 Riding Your Thresholds with Stage 5 Cycling’s Tom Scotto

ICI/PRO Podcast #87 – Building Blocks of Strength Audio PROfile

ICI/PRO Podcast #84 – Threshold Field Test Audio PROfile

ICI/PRO Podcast #83 – Guest Master Instructor Dixie Douville and her 2 x 2 x 2 AudioPROfile

ICI/PRO Podcast #79 – Progressive Dueling Aerobic Efforts Audio PROfile

ICI/PRO Podcast #75 – Got Strength? Audio Profile

ICI/PRO Podcast #72 – Grand Canyon Audio Profile

ICI/PRO Podcast #70 – Energia Magica Audio PROfile

ICI/PRO Podcast #67 Firepower Audio PROfile

ICI/PRO Podcast #66 – The Endurance Connection Audio PROfile

ICI/PRO Podcast #62 – Dueling Intervals Audio PROfile

ICI/PRO Podcast #59 – Step It Up Audio Profile

ICI/PRO Podcast #57 – 2 Hills / 2 Moods Audio Profile

ICI/PRO Podcast #56 – Aerobic Loops Audio PROfile

How about now? Is it time for you to join ICI/PRO?

Indoor Cycle Instructor PRO Conference FAQs

You've got questions, we've got answers

Jennifer and I are very excited about our very first conference we are hosting October 8th – 10th in Boston, MA. We have been receiving a number of questions and felt it would be helpful to put together a FAQ for our community of Indoor Cycling Instructors.

• Number one question we get…Do I need to be an ICI/PRO member to attend? No, this conference is open to anyone interested in improving as an Indoor Cycling Instructor.
• Is there a charge for the Friday Night Reception? Nope It’s included in your conference registration. There is a $30.00 charge to attend the Saturday dinner.
• If I don’t get a bike for the Friday night ride, can I still attend? Absolutely! But you can see the benefit of signing up early – this will be a high energy very emotional and fun class – and it’s in high demand! We encourage everyone to sign up as soon as possible to ensure you’ll get a bike for the Friday night ride!  Once we fill them, everyone else is very welcome to enjoy the energy and watch from the sidelines. The reception follows 30 minutes afterward.
• I see there is a limit of 3 bike-sessions per day, but can I audit more? Yes, any registered attendee can audit any session (provided we don’t go over the hotel’s maximum room capacity – but that is doubtful). In fact, you may learn more if you do not ride occasionally, and sit on the sides and take notes. It’s also better for your body to give it a break!
• Can I attend the Pre-Con Workshops without registering for the conference? Yes. Please contact me directly john @ Indoorcycleinstructor.com (you need to remove the spaces in the email address.
  
• Do I need to be certified to attend? Our preference is that attendees be certified Indoor Cycling Instructors. Please contact one of us if you have a special situation.

• Can I get my initial Indoor Cycling Certification at this conference? We are offering an 8 hour Heart Zones Power Cycling Certification during Friday’s Pre-Con, but no initial Indoor Cycling orientation or certification this year.
• Why Boston and why this date? The survey we conducted said October was the preferred date. October 11th is Columbus Day, a holiday for many. Finding a host facility with less than 6 months lead time was very difficult, limiting our choices. The hotel we choose has a lot of experience hosting fitness conferences.
• Where exactly is the Crowne Plaza Boston North Shore Hotel? Here is a map of the area.
• I would like to share a room. Do you have a way for me to I connect with another Instructor? There is a post over at Pedal On for just this purpose here.
• What type of Indoor Cycles will you have there? Keiser has graciously agreed to provide 50 new M3 Cycles and we will have 50 additional conventional Indoor Cycles.
• What type of pedal cleats will you have? Dual sided Shimano SPD (conventional Mountain Bike) and platform/straps.
  
• I can only attend on Saturday the 9th.
• Are you offering a single day registration? We have started a waiting list here. If we have room we will be contacting everyone by September 11th.

ICI Podcast #102 – Conference Announcement

We’re doing it!

The very first Indoor Cycle Instructor PRO conference is happening on October 8th – 10th in Boston MA!
Jennifer and are very excited (and a bit frightened) at the prospect of hosting a conference that will include a maximum of 250 of our fellow PROfessional Indoor Cycling Instructors.

This year’s theme is Be Ready! And we intend to help you be exactly that

Listen to the Podcast first and then here is a page with the initial details - much, much more coming soon:

Listen to the Podcast below or subscribe for free using or

Dr. Haley analyzes some of Jennifer’s Spinning Indoor Cycling classes

ICI/PRO contributor Dr. Haley Perlus lives in the town where Jennifer teaches Spinning® Indoor Cycling. She recently went to two of Jennifer’s indoor cycling classes. The first one was a high intensity training interval class, and the next was a threshold field test the following week. Here are her reviews of Jennifer’s two Spinning Indoor Cycling classes.

April 19, 2010 (review of class on Friday April 16)
Let me be clear, early morning cycle classes are not my style! Unless I’m teaching (which means I’m getting paid) to get to the club for a 6am class, I’m simply not interested. That said, I did drag my behind out of bed Friday to participate in Jennifer’s cycle class. Not only did I make the three minute drive to the club, I also brought my entourage including my boyfriend, Brad, and my father, Jon. Jennifer’s husband, Jeff, was also there so it turned out to be a cycle party! It took all of one minute for Brad and Jeff to start chatting, but as I instruct fitness professionals to do, Jennifer got off her bike, stood between our men, and explained the class objectives. Brad and Jeff got the hint loud and clear, but not before they jokingly blamed the other for starting the chatter. Jennifer walked back to her bike, smiled and said, “don’t make me have to separate you boys for misbehaving!”

Jennifer’s wit is one of many strengths she has an indoor cycle instructor. She also knows the wants and needs of her participants. Friday was an interval class and Jennifer explained its components so that everyone could understand what was expected of them and modify the intensity to fit their weekend plans. We live in a ski resort town and it was a good possibility that class participants would want to ski on the weekend (it was closing weekend for the resort). Taking this into account, Jennifer suggested that those planning on skiing reduce the intensity and those not skiing challenge themselves to the best of their ability. This instruction was particularly important for my father who arrived in Vail Wednesday with the intention of skiing four days in a row. I’m pretty sure he appreciated Jennifer’s ‘heads up’.

I also want to share with you a few other things about Jennifer’s indoor cycle class. It was a full class. Even though I’m not a fan of early morning training, Jennifer has managed to inspire others to see the value in it. They get excellent training from an excellent trainer. She has a unique way of explaining principles to her participants. For example, instead of talking about the physiology behind high intensity training, she explained, “you shouldn’t be able to drink water immediately after an interval. If you’re pushing hard enough and try to drink right after, it would be like breathing in water.” Jennifer’s teaching experience has taught her that participants need easy explanations and images they can quickly understand and use immediately. Her cycle enthusiasts have developed a tremendous appreciation for her. During the cool down, a lady in the back row yelled out, “can we do one more?” Once again, Jennifer used her wit and responded, “You can stay after school if you’d like.”

So, have I changed my mind about early morning training? I’m not sure. All I know is that I plan on making the three minutes drive again this Friday for Jennifer’s cycle class!

April 23 (review of class on Friday April 23)
Growing up as a competitive Alpine ski racer, I’ve had my fair share of fitness tests. 400-meter sprint, one-mile run, VO2max, the box jump, and numerous other assessments were the least enjoyable components of my sport training. As much as I hate to admit, I developed a fear of fitness testing. That changed today!

Jennifer guided us through a Lactate Threshold field test. It was the first time I enjoyed assessing my fitness level and I have Jennifer to thank. She was honest and direct in her instruction so I knew exactly what was expected of me. When testing for ski racing, my coaches never informed me of how I would feel, when I would experience fatigue, and when I would need to question my commitment and fight a little bit more. Jennifer communicated all of this to her participants at the beginning of the class and consistently reminded us of our commitment throughout the test.

It is evident that Jennifer takes great pride in her cycle class. She always shows up with a pre-selected playlist to compliment her profile. Today, she used energetic, but even tempo songs. They helped us maintain an even cadence, stay energized throughout the test, and focus on our bodies and work output. One song, in particular, provided us the image of a car race. The introduction included the sounds of race cars revving up and taking off. Jennifer effectively placed this song at the beginning of the test to help us ‘rev’ ourselves up for the ride.

When the test was completed, Jennifer used the cool down to discuss how to use the knowledge we had obtained. She tailored her explanations to fit the needs and wants of her participants. This might be one of her greatest strengths as an instructor. She knows her attendees. She provides enough scientific knowledge for them to learn something new, but always uses concrete examples that specifically relate to them. Consequently, Jennifer’s participants connect with her and keep coming back for more fitness and fun.

Thank you Dr. Haley for your reviews!

If someone evaluated your class, what would they write? How do you connect with your students? Would you like to improve in your coaching, in your cueing, in your ability to connect and motivate your students? Haley wrote here how effective communication can have an impact on your students’ experience. And she should know; she is the author of our Communication Effectiveness video training. Have you seen this video yet? If not, it is available for free for anyone who signs up for our free mailing list. Also, the 0.2 ACE CECs for this training ($59.99 value) is available to all ICI/PRO members at absolutely no additional cost.

Would you like to teach profiles just like Jennifer? As a member of ICI/PRO, you have access to many of Jennifer’s most popular rides, complete with coaching, as MP3 audio PROfiles. You receive two more each month (occasionally from other motivating, qualified instructors), so you will have an endless source of profiles with which to motivate your students. If you’re not a member yet, what is holding you back?

One Question Survey: The Average Age In My Class Is?

I’m curious, what’s the average age of the participants  in your Spinning Indoor Cycling class? Click “Read More” to add your vote.

[poll id="4"]

SIMPLE WAYS TO MAKE YOUR SPINNING STUDENTS FALL IN LOVE WITH YOU

Have you ever met someone and liked them instantly? You can’t explain why but you immediately felt an emotional bond.  I’m not talking about sexual attraction, but rather a genuine and wholesome feeling of fondness and respect towards this person.

In a job interview, you are more likely to be hired if the interviewer connects with you as a person. In a business situation, you are more likely to get your foot in the door and seal the deal if the client connects with you as a person. As a cycling instructor, you are more likely to have students follow you to the ends of the earth and never dream of skipping a class if they connect with you on this personal level!

Although your technical skills may be outstanding, if class size has dwindled it may be time to develop some love-ability skills!  The qualities of a lovable instructor can actually be cultivated with these simple tips.
Read more…

We’re having a conference – and it will be all about you!

I'm seeing a strong YES here.

Jennifer and I want to extend a big THANK YOU to all 500+ of you who completed the survey, offered suggestions and volunteered your help !

Next we will be deciding on the Where & When.

We will announce the location and date as soon as we have secured a place to host the conference.

How about a Party? Update: Friday 4/9 is last day to take the survey

Jennifer and I would like to take our community of Indoor Cycling Instructors beyond the “virtual” – we want to meet you!

So how about an IndoorCycleInstructor.com conference?

We have lots of questions:

Where to hold it? When works best? Who will be there? What would we offer? And finally, how will we actually pull it off?

I created a short survey and I would appreciate everyone completing it.

Even if you couldn’t or wouldn’t attend, please complete the survey. ( There is only one question if your answer is NO )

Click here to take survey

What’s your favorite ANGRY song?

Not ANGRY like; “I want to punch your lights out!” More like; “there comes a time where you want to turn the pedals with anger.” I like to use songs that communicate this type of intensity in my class when I’m looking for a very focused, very determined effort.

Here is a good example of what I mean:

Do you have other suggestions? Leave them as a comment so we can build a list for others to use.

ICI/PRO Now Fortified With CECs!

This is so exciting!

ICI/PRO is now an “ACE-approved” Continuing Education Provider and I spent the morning sending out certificates of completion to all the Instructors who reviewed this course.

The title is Communication Effectiveness Training with Dr. Haley Perlus.

And guess what?

A Forum We can Call Our Own!

Big Announcement for ICI/PRO Members!

We have partnered with Pedal – On to provide our ICI/PRO Members with their very own Forum.

Here is a short video that shows how to sign up and request membership in the ICI/PRO Group at Pedal-On

Bike Maintenance? We don’t need no stinking bike maintenance!

Short notice but I have an interview with Jeff Wimmer of Studiocycles.com and BikeTekUSA.org today, Saturday Nov 14th, at Noon PST.  As far as I can tell JEFF IS THE EXPERT when it comes to Spinning and Indoor Cycling bike setup, maintenance and repair for any model bike you use. I’m planning to discuss his ideas you can use to get your bikes maintained properly.

Please post any questions you have and I will try and work them into the interview.

ICI/PRO’s Top 100 Indoor Cycling Songs

ICI/PRO’s Top 100 Songs

Want to punch up your playlist with some of the best music on the planet AND get the inside scoop on how to teach each empowering song? Thanks to a suggestion from ICI/PRO member Charles Farrow of Montgomery, Alabama, we’re going to collect 100 of the BEST songs ever recorded along with coaching tips from YOU – the most passionate instructors in the world!

Think for a moment…what is your favorite song – that little gem that creates explosive energy and reaffirms your commitment to indoor cycling? Now, here comes the good stuff….how do you TEACH that magical song to encourage your students and help them squeeze out every last drop of effort?

We need your help to create this golden list of inspiration. I’ll kick it off with my top five songs and the rest is up to you! Simply reply to this post – ONE SONG per COMMENT. C’mon, send us your best! (Duplicate songs are welcome as long as the teaching method is different.)

Update: Comments are closed on this post and Barbara has compiled the list for you. We ended up with 161 and they are available free to subscribers of our email newsletter.

Help us raise $1,000 for Breast Cancer Research

You can help us raise $1,000 for Breast Cancer Research during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. We are donating 10% of all new ICI/PRO subscriptions for the month of October. We need 100 new members this month to reach our goal!

Are you one of them?

10/17 update  – 23 so far = $275

Here’s how to join ICI/PRO and help us reach our goal.

http://www.indoorcycleinstructor.com/pro

ICI/PRO Membership

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This is very exciting, we have ICI/PRO members from around the world – on every continent, except Antarctica.

Not sure if there is even a club there… if you know of one please send me an email.

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Scroll down to get your membership started today!

Here is an FAQ that should answer many of your questions.

What do you mean by “membership site”?
Maybe Subscription Service is a better way to describe it. Similar to subscribing to a magazine, Member’s pay a small monthly or annual fee to have exclusive content delivered to them via iTunes and access to password protected sections of indoorcycleinstructor.com over the duration of their subscription. I will be explaining some of what’s included below.

Why are you doing this?
If you have read Jennifer’s blog or listened to my Podcast you have noticed that we are passionate about Indoor Cycling, love to give of ourselves, enjoy teaching and hope to make a positive contribution to the Indoor Cycling Community.
We both reached the point where we can’t give anymore. We have run out of personal time and resources and yet see this enormous hunger from readers and listeners for more and better information that compels us to want to continue.
Our idea is simply this; we have listeners and readers that number in the thousands. If each of them pays a very small subscription fee, we would have the resources needed to deliver more and better content that isn’t available from anywhere else.

Jennifer resigned from Spinning so she can devote her energies to her new role as Master Instructor of ICI/PRO !

Will there still be a free Podcast? How about blog posts and articles? Yes & yes. One of the reasons for bringing on additional content providers was to ensure that there would be a continuous flow of new information on indoorcycleinstructor.com. The free Podcasts will continue, but at a reduced number.

What changes would I expect as an ICI/PRO Member?
1st – I am personally determined to bring you a better sounding Jennifer Sage!
When you talk to Jennifer in person she has a very sweet sounding voice that listener’s have never heard. The audio equipment necessary to have her sounding like a late night DJ is first on our list for improvements.
After that you can look forward to instructor-training videos, a new Audio PROfile every other week & two ICI/PRO Podcasts each month, all with very specific content that you can use to improve the next class you teach and only available to ICI/PRO members.

How will I benefit as an ICI/PRO Member? If you are looking for a fresh perspective you can bring to your class you will want to be an ICI/PRO member. Every other week we will be releasing a new Audio PROfile .mp3 and companion profile printout. Audio PROfiles are a special Podcast where Jennifer (or a special guest Master Instructor) talks you though teaching each class profile, including not just the movements and intensities, but the coaching and cueing as well. It’s like attending a Master’s Class without the travel, time or expense. – Podcast #53 was a test Audio PROfile and it was very favorably received. You can listen to an Audio PROfile on your way to teach and have it fresh in your mind when you get to your club. Each companion profile printout includes a “Cliff Notes” version you can print out and bring to class with you. Each Audio PROfile also includes a suggested music playlist or you can use your own.

Learn her secrets by reading Jennifer Sage’s incredibly helpful and entertaining blog. She will be posting a minimum of twice a week, but people who know her, know it will be lots more! Jennifer’s blog is available exclusively to ICI/PRO Monthly and Platinum members only.

Expand your knowledge of coaching and presenting by listening to exclusive ICI/PRO Podcasts each month. These new ICI/PRO Podcasts will be focused on relevant topics of interest. No fluff or BS, just lots of actionable content that you can use to improve your class tomorrow.

Get your questions answered by an Expert! On the first Sunday of every month we will be conducting “Ask an Expert” tele-seminars featuring Jennifer Sage or Gino, one of our regular contributors or a special Guest Instructor where you can get personal help in improving your class. Our first tele-seminar is set for October 4th. Each seminar will be recorded and available on the ICI/PRO Super Secret iTunes feed just in case you weren’t able to listen in live.

In a funk? Struggling to stay motivated? Monthly articles from Dr. Haley Perlus on mental toughness and personal motivation will help you stand in the front of your class with energy and confidence!

Lucky enough to have bikes with power but not quite sure how to teach a class on them? Gino Nacey’s weekly column on Teaching with Power will soon have you coaching like a Pro.

We offer three different subscription options:

• ICI/PRO – Monthly – $12.97 per month, *limited content, cancel anytime or upgrade anytime. Click here to subscribe as a monthly member.

• ICI/PRO – Gold (Without Jennifer Sage’s blog) $8.33 per month billed annually. Click here to subscribe as a Gold member

• ICI/PRO – Platinum (You get everything) $9.99 per month billed annually. Click here to subscribe as a Platinum member

Your Satisfaction is 100% guaranteed, for the length of your subscription.

You will be continuously pleased with your ICI/PRO subscription or we will issue you a 100% refund, no questions asked.

Jennifer and I are committed to delivering the information you need to become the best Indoor Cycling Instructor possible. We are confident that you and your class will enjoy and benefit from the; by-weekly Audio PROfiles, ICI/PRO Podcasts, Motivating & Educating Articles and monthly Tele-seminars available exclusively to ICI/PRO Members. If at any time during your subscription period we fail to deliver as promised or not meet your expectations, just ask and we will refund your entire current subscription cost.

Click here to begin your ICI/PRO Subscription today!

What’s coming next?

We want more written content!

That was a common request on the survey I conducted earlier this summer. OK, I suppose it’s time I operate this as more of a team effort, so you’ve got it. Over this past year I have had the chance to meet some incredible people who impressed me with their passion for Indoor Cycling and demonstrated the ability to communicate effectively.  So I asked some if them if they would like to submit articles to be published here. They all said yes! None of them are Professionals, yet.  I feel they will compliment the Indoor Cycle Instructor Podcast and make this site an even better resource for you. The first to join the Indoor Cycle Instructor.com as a regular contributor will be our favorite Master Spinning Instructor Jennifer Sage later this week.  Stay tuned for more in the coming days .