I've really learned a lot from presentation coach and TV actress Alexa Fischer. While what she describes in the video below is directed toward people being filmed – I feel it's completely applicable to any of us who get up on stage. How's your “self talk” before starting your class?
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Originally posted 2014-03-27 16:48:47.
My understanding is that these are the best – just tough to turn off.
I actually needed to get help from Amy to figure this out – so I could completely relate to this question I received via email today.
Hi John,
I think I read you teach for lifetime. Do you use the micpacks with the flip open battery compartments that covers the on button? This may sound silly, but I can't figure out how to turn the darn thing off. Shouldn't the on and off button turn it on and off? I tried removing the batteries when you put them back it goes right back to on. Any ideas?
I'm pretty sure this instructor is talking about a Sennheiser wireless microphone pictured above – it's what we have at our club and I found it as confusing to turn off, even after re-reading the email instructions multiple times.
After Amy was able to educate me, rather than try to explain the process in just words, I felt it might be easier to follow with a picture like this.
The steps to turn this off are:
Here's a pdf showing the steps you can download, print and post for your instructors
I'm not sure if it's important, but Amy recommended that Mute is off before attempting.
That still does't answer why you can't just push the “off button” – to turn the darn thing off.
Originally posted 2014-04-01 13:45:07.
It seems I made a few enemies on Wednesday. I subbed a “Housewives” 9:30 am class that had a bunch of talkers in it. I'm not too tolerant of people disrupting my class. So I told asked them to please save their conversations until after class. As it turns out, a regular of mine overheard a conversation the following day, between the scheduled Instructor and a few of the participants. Though you might enjoy seeing his email to Amy describing the exchange…
John Macgowan is on the unofficial Eden Prairie Housewives “hit list”. You may want to let him know to keep a low profile and wear a disguise if going out and about in EP.
Thursday morning during his spin class he mentioned that he subbed for XXXX at 9:30 Wednesday. I had scheduled interviews with some candidates for a job and used the restaurant at LTF (Life Time Fitness where I teach) this morning.
Had a two hour break so was able to go to XXXX's 9:30 and those housewives were giving XXXX hell because “the sub instructor” (John) worked them too hard and (here is the best part) seemed annoyed because they wanted to carry on conversations during the class.
I personally have complained to XXXX multiple times about the nonstop talking in her class and went so far as to call XXXX (Dept Head) about it. I held my tongue for as long as I could this morning, then I let those housewives have it.
You (Amy), Adam and John run organized classes, XXXX's tends to be a yard sale, but she is a really strong instructor. This morning I proceeded to say something along the lines of if you want social hour go upstairs and have it there and don't criticize the instructor for properly managing a class.
I also referred to the loudest and most annoying lady in the class as a manatee who should be more focused on the workout and less on annoying the entire class. Needless to say, I probably need a disguise now as well.
Kind of made my day to hear John overwhelmed them. Hope you all are well. Happy Friday!! See you tomorrow.
Originally posted 2015-01-10 04:23:56.
I participated in a Krankcycle orientation yesterday at 501Spin in Minneapolis. Part of the training used the Suunto Fitness Solution I will be talking about it on our next podcast but wanted you to see my interview from IDEA.
Originally posted 2010-08-29 09:09:31.
Note: We've added a new category “Correcting Form” to help you identify and correct common form related problems you see or discomfort/pain your students are experiencing.
The problem diagnosing form, discomfort or pain issues while riding, is that they aren't always obvious when you're student is rested and fresh. Here's a good example:
Question from one of my regular students: “John, do you know I can keep my hands from getting numb – going to sleep?” “It happens here in class, but more so when I'm riding outside… any ideas?”
I've experienced this situation myself, as has the senior group fitness instructor Amy – but only while riding “The Bus” our tandem bicycle on long rides.
First I asked a simple question; “do you wear gloves when you're riding outside?”
“Sometimes I do, but never here in class. Because it happens both indoors and out, I don't think that's the problem.”
She went on to explain; “I've researched it online and I think I've eliminated all the potential causes that I found.” “It's frustrating for me because 30-40 min. into a ride, my hands start tingling and then fall asleep.”
“If it's happening both indoors and out and with or without gloves, it's probably not a nerve compression in your hand problem. My guess it's probably your actual hand position on the bars… hop on this bike and let me take a look.”
I had her jump on an Indoor Cycle in class and told her to get comfortable. Once she was in place, her hands were positioned like what's shown in this picture.
Proper hand position has straight wrists
“That would make sense. That wasn't discussed on any of the articles I found.” “But I never ride like that so that couldn't be the problem either.”
“Are you sure certain you never drop your elbows, which causes your wrists to collapse, when you have fatigued?”
I then went on to explain to her how subtle the change is and that when I had her drop her wrists, it didn't require changing her grip on the bars, only her dropping her elbows.
When we're fresh, we all sit up straight and tall. Everything about our form looks perfect. Yet as we fatigue, it's natural to experience small, often negative, changes in position. From my perch upon the instructor bike what I typically see is first shoulders tend to fall forward. This causes a little additional weight on your arms which result in your elbows collapsing in and downwards slightly. Because everything is connected, the lower position of your elbows, with no change in the position of your hands, naturally results in a greater angle of extension in your wrist.
Here are three suggestions you may use in class or on the road:
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Originally posted 2012-05-30 13:21:10.