Question from an ICI/PRO member:
Hey John & Amy, I have an audition coming up with LIFETIME for cycling instructor. OK, I'm given 3 minutes to present my best ride. Crunch time. Any suggestions or advice on this?
How exciting for you! Amy and I enjoy teaching at Life Time with their dedicated cycling studios, great sound systems, video projectors and fabulous bikes.
Only three minutes, eh?
OK, here's a few suggestions, including some that I had posted over at Pedal-On and here in January about acing your Life Time Fitness Instructor Audition.
No Life Time Fitness near you? You can find Indoor Cycling studios who are hiring here.
NOTE: What follows will apply to any Instructor audition, at any club or studio.
1) Memorize the LTF mission statement
Our Mission is to provide an Educational, Entertaining, Friendly and Inviting, Functional and Innovative experience of uncompromising quality that meets the health and fitness needs of the entire family.
This isn't about drinking the Life Time Kool-Aid. It's showing your determination to work for Life Time. I'm not kidding when I say memorize it as you may be expected to deliver it as part of your Instructor audition.
2) Understand that first and foremost your role as an instructor is to deliver a fun and entertaining experience for the members. You may teach the most real/authentic cycling class on the planet, but if it's boring because you feel constrained by focusing too much on what not to do, it will show in your class presentation and your chances of getting hired are slim.
3) Be prepared to teach a class that's appropriate to the audience. LTF wants to see that you are flexible as an Instructor and can teach appropriately to varying member groups. You may teach a very "cycling specific" class, but if your audition is to a room full of housewives during a 9:30am class see #2. That said you should be familiar with the LTF Heart Rate chart - 5 Zones with the top of Zone 3 being AT (it isn't LT at LTF) and give a few HR based cues.
Beyond that I would...
4) Choose an energetic song, without lyrics, that you love to teach to. But don't over think it 🙁
5) BE ENERGETIC! LTF doesn't hire dead fish. If it takes an extra cup of coffee then drink it. Your excitement and your energy should radiate from you like a spotlight.
6) Stack the Deck! If at all possible get some of your friends in that class. If you can't, I would be sure to get there early and connect with a few participants who are setting up in the front row. Nothing says "Friendly and Inviting" like connecting (eye contact) with members during the class and it may help reduce your nervousness to have someone to focus on. I had Amy come to my audition and having her there in the class, to draw energy from, was invaluable.
7) Teach an intense, simple profile. Think K.I.S.S. Maybe a three step ladder profile where you have them up, out of the saddle, for the last 30 seconds when you...
8 ) Get off the bike and quickly work a few riders in the front row. Clap and congratulate your students at the end and then thank them sincerely for taking your 3 minute class!
Hope that helps and feel free to ask other questions.
I'd say good luck with your interview, but you don't need it... you're going to be awesome 🙂
// < 
John is a member on the AFS (Association of Fitness Studios) Advisory Council.
Holding certifications from; Schwinn, Heart Zones, Team ICG and Life Time Fitness, John's held regularly scheduled cycling classes between 1998 and 2015 when he moved to Florida.
When the weather permits, you'll find him riding and leading outdoor groups by himself or with his Tandem partner (wife) Amy.
- ICI Podcast 238 Meet Nerd Fitness Creator Steve Kamb - April 6, 2024
- ICI/PRO Podcast #113 Explosive Power pt 3 – Video PROfile with Tom Scotto from Stage 5 Cycling - March 31, 2024
- Spinning RideBook of class profiles - March 28, 2024
I’m going to use your brand spanking new PRINT option to add this to my “stuff”…..not because I ever expect to audition for this company but there’s really not too much to criticise in principle.
FWIW, given that there’s an element of “entertainment” about what we do, I don’t think it’s a really bad idea to look at what “entertainers” do with regard to working and owning the room/studio.
For some reason I found a youtube link to a compliation of images with Tom Jones singing “Sex Bomb” last week and played it for the hubster last night (there was a pic of thePontypridd boyo in rugby attire…) Not saying I’m a tremendous fan (even though I caught his very first performance on Top of The Pops on TV in England back in the 1960’s) but still, dude’s GOT WOT IT TAKES when it comes to “owning”…
Vivienne