by Karen Casler | Aug 9, 2017 | Instructor Tech Help, Instructor Training, KEEPING IT FUN, Mental Toughness, Your Fitness Business
Congratulations! You have decided to take the leap and open an Indoor Cycling studio…you're not alone.
Dedicated Indoor Cycling studios are growing in popularity and numbers. Owning an Indoor Cycling studio is FUN and like any other new small business adventure, not without obstacles.
Let’s assume that you've done all your research, found the perfect location, pulled permits, hired an architect, created a logo, chosen your bikes, learned new software, stayed true to your vision and spend 3X your budget. You are fully prepared to greet the new generation of Indoor Cyclists armed with state of the art equipment, and a team of instructors eager to show it all off.
Are you really ready?
Do you have what it takes to navigate “old school” customer service firedrills like a clogged toilet with a smile, as well as modern day stereo/microphone issues, also with a smile?
Are you prepared for the technology based firedrills of tomorrow that accompany power measurement, real time leader-boards, data tracking, and wireless internet? Indoor Cycling Technology(ICT) issues are common in a brand new studio. It's not a matter of if they are going to pop up. It's a matter of when.
My name is Karen and I am the self proclaimed spokesperson for Keeping It FUN Indoor Cycling. I'm excited to share my Keeping It FUN approach to ICT firefighting while never losing sight of the customer and of course, always having FUN.
1. View every issue as a challenge … never a problem.
Each issue that crosses your path is nothing more than a “First World Problem,” for which you are grateful. and therefore, not a real problem at all. challenge is an opportunity for you to learn and grow. You have the power, as a studio owner, to turn any negative into a positive by how you choose to fight the fire. You also have the ability to turn a frustrated, perhaps angry customer into a lifetime customer.
2. Never let them see you sweat in a world of sweat…
In the event of a fire, customers are more likely to remember how you handled the situation and how you made them feel rather than the problem itself. View every customer complaint as an opportunity to EARN a rider's business. Upset customers need to be listened to and often become your most loyal clients.
3. In the event of a customer complaint, stick with…
Keeping It FUN's 10 Commandments Of Customer Care…
- Apologize
- Say “Thank You” for bringing up the concern
- Ask the customer to explain the issue in their own words
- Listen to the customer through their eyes
- Empathize…”I completely understand why you feel this way.”
- Acknowledge the concern (big or small) as a legitimate concern
- Explain how the issue will be resolved/handled
- Assume full responsibility for the issue
- Apologize (again) with sincerity
- Thank the customer (again)
4. Recognize that the power may be in the palm of someone else's hand…
Be prepared for ICT issues, software glitches, and unsolved mysteries that you have no control over. Accept the fact that you are at the mercy of someone else's schedule.
5. Document, document, document…
When something breaks…document it every time.
6. Treat your ICT PowerPartners as part of your team…because they are…
It is what it is. ICT issues are likely to require third party involvement. In order to find the quickest resolution, you must be allies with your ICT PowerPartners. Provide the team with as much detailed information as possible regarding your issue. Be prepared to help them troubleshoot and provide them with well documented information. Show them respect and gratitude.
7. Adopt the Keeping it FUN Worry Scale of 1-10
Starting with 10 rate all real or hypothetical issues/problems on a scale of 1-10.
Below is an example:
10. Catastrophic loss of multiple family members
9. Loss of a child
8. Loss of spouse/family member
7. A life altering accident
6. Fill In
5. Your
4. Own
3. Blanks
2. ICT Firedrills
1. Which lululemon Pace Setter skirt will I wear, today?
The Keeping It FUN Worry Scale is fool proof and guaranteed to help you catch any ICT curveball that gets thrown your way!
I had the honor and privilege of working for, training under, and calling friend Mad Dogg Master Instructor_____________. In 2002, she taught me the power of words.
SB, from my heart to yours,
Thank you for sometimes telling me I had to do it your
way and supporting when I wanted to do things my way.
But, most of all, Thank You for teaching me to choose the
Word “resistance” over tension. Because of you, I may
Cue a Steep hill something like this…
“I invite you to let all your tension go.
Tension, weighs us down, holds us back, and makes it harder to breathe.
Resistance, both in life and on this hill makes us stronger. Close your eyes.
Relax your shoulders. Heart center forward and climb. Without changing
cadence, add reistance that makes you push back and fight harder.”
Today, 12 years later and 1500 miles away, her voice is heard in the words I choose when I teach. It’s a powerful lesson that extends beyond Indoor Cycling. The words we choose are more powerful than any ICT malfunction.
There will always be resistance, but you don’t have to have tension. Your customer’s response mirrors your response. If you smile and have FUN going over new studio speed bumps, they will too.
You Got This…
One pedal stroke at a time!!!
Originally posted 2014-09-04 08:45:11.
by John | Aug 7, 2017 | Engage Your Students, Freemotion - Foundation Fitness
I want to share this email exchange I had with ICI/PRO member Julie Zweck-Bronner.
Hi John,
You have said you teach at a facility that has the Freemotion bikes. I was wondering if that facility uses the pedals that came with the bikes or different pedals. We will get 40 Freemotion bikes in May and are wondering how to accommodate our riders that have LOOK cleats. Should we spend the money to switch out to all Schwinn Triple Link pedals like on our Star Trac bikes we currently have? There was some talk about using the Triple Link Pedals off the old bikes to save money, but I worry they are too worn to put on brand new bikes. Do you also find that many riders wearing bike shoes do not like the basket/cage staying on the underside of the pedal as they ride?? Thanks for your insight.
You're going to have so much fun Julie.
If you are getting the S11.9 I think they come with a good two sided pedal with SPD/shoe basket. Where I'm teaching they switch out everything for triple links as that's just what they do.
If it was my studio I would work toward getting everyone to switch to SPD. Look doesn't make the traditional “LOOK pedal” anymore. Now they have the KEO which looks like it should work – but it doesn't.
I would swap the best 10 triplelinks onto the new bikes and leave the rest.
Unless of course you normally have 30 cyclists with LOOK cleats every class, then you already know what to do 🙂
Sportsmith has the best pricing on Schwinn Triple Link Pedals I've found and I want to say that Jeff Wimmer at StudioCycles.com has refurbished Triple Links.
Can I have your permission to create a post about your question?
Thanks John, yes you can post and thanks for your insight. Do you think avid bikers who wear bike shoes prefer the triple link because the can remove the cage/basket on the flip side of the pedal unlike the pedal that comes with the FreeMotion bike? That has the spd on one side and the fixed/permanent cage on the flip side. Sounds kind of anal but want to address all concerns. Thanks again, Julie ZB
Julie LOOK pedals were the most popular for years (but are no longer) and cyclists wanted to use their shoes – I don't think they care if the basket is there or not.
SPD is rarely used by road cyclists (they were first used by mountain bikers) but are best for indoor because they work on a recessed shoe = easy to walk in and safer – road shoes were never meant to walk in and are very slippery on any polished surface.
Rather than speculate, I suggest you ask your students and act accordingly.
Thanks John we will take a poll!
I haven't heard the results of Julie's poll, but I have conducted one myself at the two clubs where I teach that use the Triple Link pedal with some interesting (yet very unscientific) results:
- About half of the riders using LOOKs had purchased their shoes/cleats specifically for indoor use.
- Another 25% originally had LOOK cleats on their road bike = their shoes just happened to fit the pedals we used indoors.
- Almost no one was using the original LOOKs on their road bikes anymore.
- Almost everyone had multiple pairs of shoes.
I feel it's very important to be as accommodating to cyclists, but times are changing. If you're looking at an equipment upgrade a simple email poll using Survey Monkey will tell you a lot + identify those few participants you will need to accommodate if/when you make a change.
Originally posted 2012-03-14 08:36:34.
by John | Aug 6, 2017 | Featured Instructor, Instructor Training, KEEPING IT FUN, Master Instructor Blog, Your Fitness Business
Hi, my name is Kathy Helmuth and I am excited to share a wonderful new program called Parkinson’s Indoor Cycling.
UPDATE September 25, 2014:
We are now offering an ACE approved Parkinson’s Cycling Coach training program. To learn if you qualify click here.
As group cycling instructors, we try to educate and encourage success in our indoor group cycling classes. We see those moments of achievement and we are excited for the participants who have reached their goals. In the Parkinson’s Cycling Coach classes, those moments of achievement are multiplied by 10.
Parkinson’s Disease can rob a person of smell, facial expression, movement, and flexibility.
Imagine this…. A person with Parkinson’s Disease comes into your indoor cycling class using a cane or a walker. He or she registers for the program, completes the necessary paperwork, and goes through the initial testing. You notice that this individual shows very little expression on their face.
After riding a few classes being coached at the proper intensity and cadence, that individual no longer needs a cane or walker. That person is walking with an improved gait and has better balance and flexibility. They have a smile and some expression back on their face!
Or imagine this…. a person diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease not being able to smell the aroma of chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven. After a few Parkinson’s Cycling classes, that individual can now able to smell and taste those delicious cookies.
I have really enjoyed the opportunity to help these Parkinson’s individuals feel better and move through their daily activities with greater ease.
“Feeling normal” is the way one of our riders describes why she loves this program. In my interview with Sharon in the video above, she says that the pedaling class makes her “feel normal….like everyone else”.
I hope this helps ignite the compassion you have for helping others. Seven to ten million people have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease around the world.
If we could provide you with the training you needed, would you be willing join us as a Parkinson's Cycling Coach?
We'll be offering a coaching certification in early October.
Click here to subscribe to our notification list.
Originally posted 2014-09-15 08:08:51.
by John | Aug 2, 2017 | Instructor Training, Your Fitness Business
And a cinema at night.
Why is it some crazy ideas don't sound so crazy, once somebody is actually doing it?
For example; who would have thought holding Indoor Cycling classes in a movie theater would be a good idea?
He considered turning it into a recreation center, or a ropes course. But instead, he decided to follow the trend set by Flywheel and SoulCycle, two indoor cycling businesses that regularly sell out classes on summer weekends in nearby East Hampton and add a spin studio to his auditorium. At a cost of around $35,000, Mr. Rutkowski, opened up a few rows of seats, bought a sound and lighting system and 25 spin bikes and did a little cosmetic construction, mostly on his own.
“Now it looks like an orchestra pit,” Mr. Rutkowski said. Bikes are covered during movie screenings.
To make the transition, Mr. Rutkowski hired a consultant named Bill Pryor, who opened Spynergy studios in his hometown of Wellesley, Mass., and outside Chicago, in January 2005. Mr. Pryor said he has helped independent entrepreneurs on over 200 business plans in the last 2½ years. On average, he charges $4,000 per client; up to $10,000 if he is helping them from the ground up.
“A lot of studios are adding video to their classes,” said Mr. Pryor, who previously worked in the tradeshow industry. “But I've never seen anything like David's done.”
Bill Pryor is a long time friend and contributor here at ICI/PRO. Back in 2010 I interviewed Bill about the potential of starting an Indoor Cycling Studio and we are aware of dozens of new studio startups who found their initial inspiration from this Podcast.
After the expense of outfitting a room full of Indoor Cycling bikes, the cost of leasing the actual space for the studio is the biggest expense. And that's if you can find a suitable place to rent. Loud music is a part of any class and many stripmall neighbors aren't super excited to listen to hear Armin Van Buuren blasting at 95dBs during your 9:30 am class.
Movie theatres play loud soundtracks/music everyday. They have a bunch of parking (another big concern) and most importantly, they have holes in their schedules when they aren't showing movies. Virtual cycling classes using videos are all the rage for Indoor Cycling classes and movie theatres already have a big screen 🙂
Sounds like this could be a match made in Hollywood!
The owner of the private movie house in your town probably knows nothing about Indoor Cycling. But I'll bet they know their cash flow and may be open to a conversation where you bring some additional $$$ into her/his business.
Originally posted 2013-07-14 17:13:02.
by John | Jul 18, 2017 | Instructor Training, Member Spotlight
ICI/PRO member Ryan Bardes is returning from his tour of duty in Afghanistan.
Thanks for your service!
Ryan is moving to Indianapolis, Indiana this Summer and is looking for an Indoor Cycling studio who needs an experienced Instructor beginning in August.
He has posted his Instructor resume at his Google+ account where you can contact him.
Ryan J. Bardes
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
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Monitor and maintain safe performance of modalities
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Maintain and operate sound system for choreographed class
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Knowledge and ability to work well as part of a fitness team
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Inspire participants to achieve next level of personal achievement
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Demonstrate proper biomechanics with emphasis on open breathing
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Verbally relate riding scenario to increase visualization and virtualization
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In-depth heart rate zone and rate of perceived exertion understanding
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Library of ride profiles with tempo matched music
Education:
2011-2012: STAGES Instructor Certification Rochester, NY
Free-Motion S.11 with Power Module
2000-2004: SRSC Collegiate GroupEx Certification Bloomington, IN
Taught by Master Trainer Tatiana Kolivich
2005- 2008: YMCA Senior Instructor Indianapolis, IN
First Aid, CPR, AED
Ryan has extensive experience as a cyclist:
March 1987 — First bicycle ride without training wheels 😉
Delivered Newspapers via bicycle for 3 years
Semi-pro European Mountain Bike Circuit
Trans-Alp Germany – Austria – Switzerland – Italy
Self-Supported Trans-America ‘Champs 4 the Cure’
Vancouver, Canada – San Francisco, California
Little 500 Team Captain Team Wilkie
Double Century Charity Fundraiser
DeCycles: Denver, CO – Yellowstone, WY – Black Hills, SD
Little 500 Cutters member
Indiana University Men and Women Swim Team Cross-trainer Coach
Max VO2 Training: Boulder, Colorado
Collegiate Road Racing
Collegiate Triathlons
Ride to Ice Cream store with Grandma on a tandem bicycle…
Please help Ryan if you can or, if you know other active military who would benefit from a complimentary ICI/PRO subscription, please have them contact us.
Originally posted 2013-06-06 10:28:59.
by John | Jul 14, 2017 | Engage Your Students
The question I asked was “how many of you are training for something?”
Over 80%, of a full class with 50 bikes this morning, raised their hands indicating that they were training for something… I wasn't specific as to what, only are you training? Even though this wasn't my class (I was the Sub for a Sub) I know many of them and know that they are all telling the truth. For each of them, what they're “Training” for is a little different:
- Steve is scheduled for his first Ironman in June. Steve's “Training” is to find the time he needs to develop his fitness, while balancing the needs of his family and work.
- Susan plans to ride her first Minnesota Ironman. It's not a Triathlon, but a large charity ride on the last Sunday of April each year. The weather is normally not pleasant – it's typically miserable 🙁 Susan is new to riding outdoors and she is “Training” to have enough endurance to finish with her girl friends, who have much more experience than she does.
- Neal is excited for a week cycling through France with 9 of his friends. Neal's “Training” is focused on dropping the 30 pounds he gained after foot surgery.
- Randy is determined to hear a “nice pull” as he rotates off the front of the “A” group this summer. Randy's “Training” is to demonstrate that he has the fitness to stay with the “A” group, even though he is 63 years old.
Are you talking to your class as training endurance athletes?
My favorite is to say to my class “I came here believing you all are training endurance athletes…. It's up to you to prove that I'm wrong.”
What words and actions do you use during your class that communicate your belief in them?
Originally posted 2011-04-06 02:01:43.
