I was wearing my ICI/PRO t-shirt this weekend and a random person in line at the grocery store asked me; “what's ICI/PRO and Indoor Cycling 2.0?” “Is that a new form of Spinning or something?” I explained that ICI/PRO is my business and the abbreviated name for a website devoted to providing resources and a community for Professional Indoor Cycling Instructors who are committed to delivering the absolute best results for their participants.
I told her that Indoor Cycling 2.0 is my description of a methodology (maybe ideology would have been a better word) where we teach Indoor Cycling classes that move beyond 60 minutes of exercise, to more results driven training using the tools and training techniques used successfully by endurance athletes to get fitter, faster and more effectively maintain their body weight.
She told me that she had been taking “Spin Classes” (her words) on and off for over ten years. She said she enjoyed them, but after a while they got a little stale for her, so she moved on to other Group Fitness classes. ZUMBA is now her favorite! After telling her when and where I taught we went our separate ways.
I think about this stuff constantly. When I got home I looked up when Spinning® officially started. Mad Dogg Athletics has their own website that includes a page about the history of Spinning. In 1993 Crunch gyms in New York were the very first to offer a Spinning program. Mad Dogg Athletics incorporated in 1994. As best as Amy and I can remember the Flagship Athletic Club, where Amy has taught since 1991, was the second club in Minneapolis to offer this new Spinning program in 1995.
Depending on how you do the math that means 17 years or so. Many of you probably remember some of the spin-off programs from Reebok, Keiser, Schwinn, Bally, LeMond, etc… Some are still around…. some are not. Those who still are have been through one (if not more) revisions and yet all were really just variations on the same original Spinning theme.
It's only now, with the addition of Power measurement on IC cycles and the encouragement of using Heart Rate monitors, that we are really seeing a fundamental change.
After 17 years it really is time for something different – Indoor Cycling 2.0â„¢ *
It's very exciting for me to be part of this community who has been embracing this concept as the way for all of us to truly help our students reach their personal fitness goals.
* I put the little â„¢ at the end of Indoor Cycling 2.0 to identify that I first introduced the concept. I offer it's use freely to any Indoor Cycling brand who would like to use it to identify that they too embrace this concept. Just email trademark@indoorcycleinstructor.com for permission.
In an earlier post I alerted you to the new FreeMotion Indoor Cycle with power from Foundation Fitness. I've been doing research about the FreeMotion Indoor Cycle and Foundation Fitness, specifically on their educational programing and when will they be shipping product.
Cameron contacted me after seeing my first post, offering to help me understand what they had planned. After talking to her I got the impression that they really get it. Stages Indoor Cycling is based on the concept of Functional Threshold Power (FTP) with the intent of delivering measurable progress, using data collection tools = Indoor Cycling 2.0 🙂
This is a good example of a completed Fitness Connect profile that you could follow.
Cameron is the Director of Education for Foundation Fitness and lead developer of Stages Indoor Cycling. Concurrently, she serves as CEO of Sounds Fit Solutions Inc; a company dedicated to fitness and audio systems education. As an international presenter/lecturer, Cameron has had the opportunity to educate on numerous topics ranging from indoor cycling to fitness career development. Her recent publishing credits include work for Foundation Fitness, Wexer.com and multiple contributions to the IDEA Fitness Journal and IDEA Fitness Manager. A background in Opera Performance and Vocal Pedagogy has led Cameron to create a specialty niche for fitness professionals wishing to develop the health, clarity and endurance of the human voice- a teacher’s greatest asset. Cameron is currently a Master Trainer for BOSU® by Fitness Quest as well as Gliding by Savvier . She is a continuing education provider for ACE and AFAA and holds specialty certifications through numerous organizations. When not EduTaining in Nashville, TN., Cameron can be found entertaining and singing with Hi-Phi Entertainment based in Boulder, CO.
I have an interview scheduled with Cameron for the 22nd of this month and would be happy to ask her any questions you may have about their cycle or programming.
Second; when will FreeMotion Indoor Cycles be available for delivery? The short answer is they hope to have them available this summer. The long answer I'm guessing is will be; “we'll wait and see.” As other manufactures are finding, developing a reliable monitor/counsel for an Indoor Cycle that functions properly and doesn't cause a bunch of maintenance headaches, is no easy task.
As I learn more you will be the first to know.
4/12 update: I just learned that they have two test studios;
Rally Sport Health and Fitness in Boulder, CO
Sports Academy in Logan, UT
If you are near either one of these locations I would love for you to take a class there and report back to us.
How approachable are you?
Amy, among others, has told me that I'm a lot of things, but approachability is not very high on my list of personality traits… I'm guessing I'm not alone and thought that maybe, if I could find someone who could teach me/us how to be more approachable, it would make for an informative and entertaining Podcast episode that would help improve our presentation skills.
I've seen Scott Ginsberg (he's known as “The nametag guy”) on TV a number of times. Scott's a writer and motivational speaker who's specialty is helping people be more approachable and memorable . It worked, because although I didn't remember his name I found his website with a simple Google search for the name tag guy. It's appropriately named www.hellomynameisscott.com
Looking around his site I found that Scott has been on, or published in, just about every talk show or media source you can think of. The guy charges $10,000.00 to speak at corporate functions. I was thinking; “am I a bit out of my league here?” But I thought why not give it a try and see if I can schedule him for an interview.
So I sent Scott an email.
Hi Scott,
I produce the Indoor Cycle Instructor Podcast and would love to have you as a guest sometime. This online resource reaches Fitness Professionals around the world and I feel many of our 7,000 listeners would enjoy hearing your ideas for improving their presentation skills by being more aproachable.
Please let me know when we can schedule an interview via Skype.
John
His response:
Absolutely. Can't wait! My family has been in the fitness industry for 30 years.
How cool is that? Our interview is scheduled for this Wednesday and will publish next weekend.
I've got Triathlete and Pain Prevention Expert Leslie Mueller scheduled for two new Audio PROfiles. Her 51/49 Negative Split Ride was very popular and I felt you would enjoy more from her.
Leslie was recently out at the Global Ride studios in Pittsburgh filming a number of classes for Cycling Fusion and thought these rides would make for some entertaining Audio PROfiles. I'm working on getting some of the video footage.
The first ride is called “Out and Back” and the ride replicates a typical Time Trial bicycle race course. Leslie's specialty is teaching endurance athletes how proper positioning can reduce pain and improve performance and she will present some very helpful techniques that we can all impart to our students.
The second PROfile falls under the “Why didn't I think of that?” category. Teaching a beginner class… To their credit, Cycling Fusion insists that Instructors in their program know how to teach an effective beginner class. It's not as easy as you think and I know that there are a lot of members at my gym who will never again set foot in an Indoor Cycling class because of a bad initial experience. If you tend to over look the new people in your class, a renewed focus on the basics may help bring in and retain a few new students.
The first will be available next Wednesday and the second around the end of the month.
If you sent me an email or submitted a support request between about 9:00am and 4:15pm Central time today my email was down and I did not receive it. Please resend it 🙂
4/14 Update – I've moved this post to stay here on top so it's easier to find.
Part of the time I spent with Tom Scotto last week was filled with working out the details of this years ICI/PRO conference. We have big plans for this year that I'm sure will not disappoint you 🙂
I'm not ready to promote everything, but I will tell you that Tom is arranging to have a live band to provide the music for a number of our large group rides this year.
We promise to have the full conference agenda published by May 1st for ICI/PRO members to make their certification, workshop and session selections. Everyone else can select theirs after May 7th.
I have opened early registration for those of you wanting to get a jump on everyone else. This year we are offering you the chance to make multiple payments, rather than one lump sum. Here is the link to register.
Last year the hotel sold out. Even if you are thinking about sharing a room I would suggest that you reserve a room here's the link to the hotel (you can always cancel it) and we will be helping connect those looking for room-mates. NOTE: Our block of reserved rooms extends from September 28th to October 4th for those of you wanting to come early or stay a day or two longer.
If you missed seeing this, here are a few interviews from the conference last year.
4/14 Update – I've moved this post to stay here on top so it's easier to find.