Do you have one of these Watt Bikes? I would love to know more about them.
One of my objectives is to model proper form to my students.
[wlm_firstname] I'm guessing you will agree that proper form is a component of How You Look and it begins with having the proper setup for your bike. Unfortunately, as an instructor, we face a unique obstacle; “who helps us get set up properly?”
Every one of us has been trained in proper Indoor Cycle Setup and yet I've never experienced a certification or workshop that explains how to set yourself up.
Because you can't.
Sure, you can try. If you are anything like me you have your setup memorized and, like the seen on TV guy Ron Popeil, you set it and forget it! To compound this problem, many of us teach on different types of Indoor Cycles at different clubs. I'm currently teaching at four clubs and have to remember my set up on two versions of NXTs (yes the different generations are… different), Schwinn AC, FreeMotion and starting Monday on Keiser M3s.
Ask for help. But John, who exactly do you expect I ask?
For starters, another Instructor that you respect. Show up for their class and simply ask; hey Barb, it's been a while since someone has looked at my setup, can I get you to take a look?
You may be surprised by the response you get; sure, and then could you help me with mine?
Or you could very well have a competent student who would be honored to help you 🙂
Does your studio have the problem I show in this video? Most do and it causes a lot of inconsistency in the Fore-Aft location of the saddles when you use the reference number on the slider. Watch the video to see if this is something your manager should be aware of.
Friend and contributor Melissa Marotta was married yesterday to Scott Houser. All of us here wish Melissa and Scott the best of luck in their new lives together 🙂
“Dad, that was on an episode of South Park!” was the response from my daughter Carly. We were at lunch and I was telling her about the revelation I had that all of the music services I use are prohibited from commercial use.
It was hilarious, she exclaimed and recited;
“What did the latest terms and conditions say”
“I don't know… I didn't read them.”
“YOU didn't read them?”
“Yea, that's part of the story of how Steve Jobs had Kyle kidnapped per the terms of the iTunes T's & C's to be part of his evil plan.”
I personally don't watch South Park, but you may appreciate the humor of the situation in the video clip.
What a difference a month makes… first they avoided the cycles with power – now they're nearly fighting over them.
I added a Saturday AM class at the Chanhassen, MN Life Time Fitness (LTF). The behavior of students I observed this morning was quite remarkable, compared to classes I attended earlier this summer. They're actually choosing the cycles with power now 🙂
This club shares the parking lot with Life Time's corporate headquarters. It's frequently used as the “Test Club” when LTF is developing new programming or where new products are tested before being rolled out to the other 90 clubs.
Back in June LTF replaced 50 NXT's with 35 Schwinn AC Performance and 15 Free Motion S11.9 Indoor Cycles. Of the 35 Schwinns, only 15 have the power consoles. They have all the Power cycles in the two front rows, the remaining Schwinns fill the back of the room.
I've taught and taken classes in this room for close to ten years. The typical pattern is for the back rows to fill with riders first and have a smattering of others in or near the front. There are stadium type raised levels and the back tends to be a bit cooler due to the way the ventilation is designed.
But not this morning. I walked in about 10 minutes before class and there was already 12 students warming up in the front rows while they played with their computers. Amazing! When class started there were 38 of us and just one was in the back row.
I'd love to tell you that this migration to the front was in anticipation of my arrival, but they had no idea I was coming. Seeing all this interest in the power meters I asked if they would prefer I leave the lights up. “NO – we use the back lights” was their collective response. And they weren't kidding. I felt like I was performing at a rock concert, as I watched consoles randomly light up, like so many cell phones (or if you are old enough) lighters.
It was Threshold Interval day (we follow a predetermined periodization schedule) and it was with great joy that I could communicate Power based intensities, instead of just HR Training Zones or breathing ques. I used Doug Rusho's mini functional power assessment he describes in Audio PROfile #172 and they really seemed to get it – based on all lit-up displays I saw at the end of the 3 minute test.
In case you missed the “Hey Mikey” bit in the title. Here's where that comes from.
You can find a Spinning Indoor Cycling Class near your location by visiting our Big Map of Clubs and Studios. Classes there are taught by committed Instructors with a focus on teaching entertaining and effective workout.
