Jim Karanas is a Master Instructor and Program Director for Indoor Cycling Group of North America.
Jim describes BIG GEAR TRAINING as; Weight Training on the bicycle. PROFILE DESCRIPTION
This workout is to improve sustainable strength and increase muscle fiber recruitment while working aerobically. The workout consists of pedaling at very low cadence (about 50-55 rpm) in a big gear up a hill for five to 15 minutes at a time in the saddle, focusing on smooth pedaling. The workout should remain aerobic in terms of heart rate. There is controlled and limited recovery between efforts equal to the length of the work period…
Would you be intimidated if you had to fill in for Master Instructor Tom Scotto? I know I would. Meet Spinning Instructor and ICI/PRO member Kay Ruane. Kay fills in for Tom on a regular basis at the Wellbridge club where they both teach.
Those of us with a bunch of experience, who were given the chance to teach for Tom, may have some butterflies at the beginning… but our Instructor skills would probably kick in and we would deliver a great class.
But what if you didn't have years of experience to fall back on? Kay has been certified for less than a year and still has the confidence in herself she needs to deliver the class Tom's regulars expect.
Once you listen to Kay's story, you'll understand where that confidence comes from.
This is getting to be a bit of a trend, people writing about their experiences in a Spinning class. Here's another from ChicagoNow.com called Spin Classes are Cool (for men too)Like we need to told that 🙂
I've been spinning since I stopped going to my regular health club, riding the bike for about 10 miles in about 30 minutes, working up a nice sweat but feeling rather unfulfilled. I've been spinning every Saturday since the first spin class when my feet kept popping out of the pedals, when I had to sit down on the bike seat every few minutes because I was so tired, and when I looked around I saw women (yes, I was the only guy there) standing up on the pedals pounding out the pace. I've been spinning every Saturday since the instructor, a woman named Kat (a crazy, deranged, drill sergeant of a woman), pedaled every mile of the way along with the class while playing music that matches the rhythm of the ride she is directing. I've been spinning every Saturday because it makes me feel good and, at my age, it's time to stop worrying about how I'm perceived. (That's true, but aren't we all at least a little self-conscious?)
If you're one of the 10,000 Instructors who teach at one of the 300 clubs or studios currently using GroupExPRO to manage class subs and Instructor communications, you can skip listening to this Podcast.
If you're not, please read on…
For Instructors who are tired of; sub requests for class formats you don't teach, the endless string of needless Reply to All mass emails that fill your inbox, the difficulty you have simply finding a sub or worst of all (at least for me) not being notified when there's a class you can teach.
Or maybe you manage your club's Instructor team and are completely overwhelmed by Instructors who can't (or won't) find subs for their own classes and expect you to pull a rabbit out of your hat at the last minute to cover their class – or end up teaching the class yourself.
Either way you'll want to take a few moments to listen to this interview with Schwinn Master Trainer Shannon Fable. Shannon is a long time group fitness department manager who, together with her husband, created GroupExPRO to solve the problem of managing the continuous need for fitness class subs.
If you can relate to the frustration I express during this interview Shannon has a simple way for you to forward information about GroupExPRO to the proper person in your organization. Click > indoorcycleinstructor.com/subhelp to be taken to her referral page. Add your info and your manager's – then please add a short note about how you see this improving your club or studio.
As her way to thank you for your efforts, Shannon will be sending you a $50.00 gift card if your recommendation leads to GroupExPRO being implemented in your facility.
Sometimes, with the best intentions (and a lot of effort), new fitness businesses don't work out as planned. Which leads to sending out a sad email like this one:
John, sadly I have to close down 2 of my studios and consolidate to one due to landlord doubling the rent. Is there anywhere I can
post that I have 30 slightly used RealRyder Spin bikes available so I do not have to put them into storage?
Bob
My initial response was; I'm sorry Bob, I really don't have anyway to help you 🙁
But then I remembered seeing an email from a company who offers a service that I could add to our Pedal-On.com forum. It creates the marketplace that would help Bob (or you for that matter) advertise and sell used Indoor Cycling bikes and/or other equipment.
UPDATED 9/2014 these are sold.
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