“Where can I get certified as an Indoor Cycling Instructor?” It's a question we get at least 10 times a month. My answer has typically been to check with the club or studio to find out their requirements. Many want a specific certification. Spinning® facilities will tell you that you need a Spinning certification, clubs with Keiser M3 cycles will probably want you to understand teaching with power, etc…
So you follow my advice and meet with the owner of your local studio. You explain that you would like to apply as an Instructor and teach classes there. What do you do when she tells you that you just need a certification, nothing specific, just something saying you are certified?
So you run home and Google: Indoor Cycling Certification and you see this advertised listing in the search results.
First they may want to enhance their spelling skills
Please don't waste you time or money getting this “certification” from the ASFA – American Sport and Fitness Association.
All you have to do is answer 75 questions and pay them $99.00 for your one year “certification”. Add an extra $26.00 and they throw in a Pocket Certification Card – what no secret decoder ring? You can forgo the need for any continuing education by paying a total of $299.00 for Life Time Renewals 🙂
The test took me a whole 5 minutes and includes a bunch on nonsense questions that anyone without a shoe fetish can easily pass.
Once you are certified you should become an ICI/PRO member to supplement your education. The awesome class profiles we publish every month – over 45 profile are available to members today. We offer everything you need to be a rock star instructor 🙂
Here's an interesting story about how the the ASFA is viewed by the Better Business Bureau.
Kim States, BBB President, said it would be one thing if people were simply using the certificates as gag novelties, to show off to friends and family. But an Internet search shows trainers using their ASFA certificates on their public resumes to solicit business. “For people to tell consumers they are ASFA certified is simply misleading,” she said. “An ASFA certificate should have about as much credibility as a three-dollar bill.”
Recomended by ACE – The American Council on Exercise
I asked Master Instructor Tom Scotto for his thoughts on Part 1 – Part 2 and Part3 of Is a 20 Minute Threshold Field Test realistic for your class?
Specifically I wanted to discuss the third article where I introduced the Two Threshold / Three Zone (2T/3Z) Heart Rate training system. This is the system that ACE is recommending to Personal Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors.
This interview ran a bit long so I have split it into two parts. (my preference is to keep each Podcast to around 20 minutes when possible)
Love to know your comments on this.
Does the Two Threshold / Three Zone Heart Rate training system make sense to you?
Would you be willing to try it in your class?
Do you see this as a better of worse alternative to what you are using now?
As far as I'm concerned Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Larry Page and Sergey Brin all deserve a big hug! Without their fantastic companies; Microsoft, Apple and Google none of what we do here at www.indoorcycleinstructor.com would be possible 🙂
That's not to say that these services aren't without their problems… Much of the Free and ICI/PRO Premimum content we produce here is delivered automatically to you via an RSS feed to iTunes. So when I get an email stating that “My Podcasts aren't updating in iTunes” I'm always quick to respond.
But I've learned that not everyone feels comfortable asking for help*, so here is a quick; I can help tutorial – Forcing iTunes to refresh. *Your questions are always welcome – I'm here to help you 🙂
If you see this in the Podcast section of your iTunes.
I don't know why this happens... but here is how to fix it.
And the Refresh button in the bottom RH corner doesn't update all your Podcasts. Right Click on the Podcast Header Title (it has the little horizontal triangle next to it) and you will get this dialog box.
Click on the Update Podcast link. You should see the podcast update and if there are any new episodes you will see the orange status icon.
Have you ever considered taking a Cycling Vacation to Europe? Maybe to France or Italy where you could experience the roads and climbs you have seen at the Tour de France or Giro d'Italia.
Amy and I have dreamed about a trip like that… but then quickly dismissed it as fantasy as soon as we start thinking about the costs and details.
But the dream remains for us 🙂
You maybe aware that Amy and I travel to the Caribbean every year on what's called a working fitness vacation. We trade our services (teaching fitness classes) in exchange for an All -Inclusive vacation at some very nice resorts in Jamaica or Mexico.
I've always wondered if there would be a way to create a similar program for Indoor Cycling Instructors wanting to take a Cycling Vacation. Most of us have large networks of friends and students, many who are cyclists…
After watching the video Tom Scotto and Gene Nacey made on their trip to Spain I decided to pursue this further. I contacted Lauren Hefferon with Ciclismo Classico, the tour operator that coordinated Gene and Tom's trip. Lauren was very open to the idea of an Instructor program, but then she started asking me a lot of questions I couldn't answer. She suggested that I conduct a survey of listeners and readers to see if this would be of interest to you.
So here is our question:
With the proper incentives and resources, could you recruit a group of cyclists, train them this winter and then ride with them on a cycling vacation in Europe next Spring?
Please listen to the Podcast interview below and then
Tom Scotto is the consummate professional in everything he does. As an athlete, cyclist, coach, business partner, husband and family man, Tom applies this professionalism to all aspects of his life.
And Tom is applying this same sense of professional commitment to his preparations for the sessions he will be presenting at this year's ICI/PRO conference.
Watch the video below to get a sense for the training Tom is putting himself through this year.
Tom is excited about ICI/Pro's second conference and will be presenting a number of session including an 8-hour Heart Zones® Training, Ride with Live Music and Biomechanics, Master the Music, Explosive Training and Muscle Release workshops. It is only a few months away and Tom needs time to prepare.
