by John | Mar 11, 2015 | Boutique Instructor, Latest News, Master Instructor Blog, Your Fitness Business
Drop bars like a real road bike! No batteries 🙂
I'm here with Amy at IHRSA 2015 and need to thank Stages Cycling for sponsoring our attendance this year 🙂
We'll be riding these brand new SC3 Indoor Cycles later today (they're still packed in a semi) and will be communicating my initial reactions tomorrow.
For now please enjoy this press release and you can download the brochure here.
For immediate release, March 11, 2015, Boulder, CO– Stages Cycling® extends its brand with the launch of Stages Indoor Cycling and the new SC Series–a line of commercial and high-end retail indoor cycling bikes, which bring an array of breakthrough features to redefine the category of indoor cycling.
The SC Series launches with two models: the flagship, SC3, with many innovations, including the Stages Power® meter–the same power measurement system that reshaped the outdoor cycling power meter category. A second model, the SC2, is the same in all respects but does not include the Stages Power meter.
The SC Series bikes share two never before seen concepts, which have patents pending: SprintShiftâ„¢ and FitLocâ„¢. SprintShift is a dual-action resistance adjustment, which pairs a traditional micro-adjust dial with a three-position macro-adjust lever. The SprintShift lever allows large, consistent jumps in resistance for intervals and rest. FitLoc replaces the standard twist-to-lock pop-pin height adjustments with a new cam operated pop-pin, making fit adjustments for height lightning fast.
These new innovations are paired with the accuracy, consistency, and reliability of the pro-peloton-proven Stages Power meter on the SC3 model, which sports Stages new rider-powered EcoSCRNâ„¢ console. EcoSCRN uses a hub dynamometer, rather than batteries, to make it the ultimate bike for a data driven studio or cyclist. The Stages Power measurement system provides unprecedented accuracy in power measurement, enabling studios the ability to now train their clients ‘indoors and outdoors’ with the same technology.
“The SC Series has the potential to be a benchmark,” said Pat Warner, the product director for Stages Cycling, who spent 20 years working on indoor cycling bikes in the Fitness industry prior to Stages. “We’ve addressed every major issue we’ve ever seen with an indoor bike. SC3 is certainly worthy of our ‘flagship’ status, with features like Stages Power, SprintShift, FitLoc, and our RoadBarâ„¢. But we’ve also nailed the basics on these bikes, and we’re confident that the ride feel, lack of maintenance, and reliability of the bike will be the features that actually set the benchmark for both the facility owner and the instructor.”
Both of Stages Cycling’s flagship SC3 and SC2 bikes utilize the new CarbonGlydeâ„¢ drive system. CarbonGlyde builds on the unparalleled reliability and lack of maintenance offered by Gates® Carbon Driveâ„¢ carbon fiber belt, with a 5:1 gear ratio and high-inertia flywheel to provide for one of the smoothest, most realistic rides available indoors.
“Stages Indoor Cycling is a new company and new brand,” said Jim Liggett, the general manager of Stages Cycling. “We will be attractive to club and studio customers who are seeking to expand their base business within their Indoor Cycling group exercise offering. Our success with Stages Power has passed the test of professional cycling and we offer this, tested, Stages Power meter to indoor athletes. We feel the combination of a completely new bike with uniquely new features, and our Stages Power meter, allows facilities to offer their members the next category breakthrough. Stages Cycling is a company rooted in cycling. Our goal is to help create indoor cycling athletes who can achieve their dreams in fitness or in cycling.”
“We also realize that–while we know and do power better than anyone in the Fitness industry–some cycling studios have a different focus. So we’re bringing the SC series to market with two flagship bikes, one with the Stages Power meter, and one without, so that we’re prepared to meet every indoor rider, and every indoor facility on their own preferred terms.”
Stages Cycling will show the SC Series bike line for the first time publicly in Los Angeles, at the Los Angeles Convention center on March 12 and 13 at Booth 2735 in IHRSA 2015 International Convention and Trade show.
For more information regarding the Stages SC Series bikes, visit: www.stagesindoorcycling.com
The Stages SC Series bikes will be available both commercially and at retail for home use. For sales information contact:
For North America / Canada Sales inquiries, please contact:
Les Wiehe
435-659-9114
lwiehe@stagescycling.com
For International Sales inquiries, please contact:
Paddy Murray
781-206-4376
pmurray@stagescycling.com
For Stages Cycling University / Instructor Training, please contact:
Cameron Chinatti
615-499-6029
cchinatti@stagescycling.com
For further press and product information, please contact:
Laurel Mylin
503-866-8157
lmylin@stagescycling.com
–end–
Stages Cycling® LLC, based in Boulder, CO, with staff having well over 100 years of combined experience in the Commercial Fitness and cycling industries, launched the Stages Power® meter at Interbike in September 2012. The Stages Power meter immediately made waves in the power measurement category. Stages Indoor Cycling delivers the metric that works for every rider, every instructor, every athletic club and every cycling program.
by Joan Kent | Mar 9, 2015 | Best Practices, Health and Wellness, Latest News
Several months ago, an author known for being a strong proponent of healthful eating wrote an article about a new line of “good” candy bars. You know: organic ingredients, no preservatives, that sort of thing.
The author took an if-you-can’t-beat-em-join-em approach. Candy isn’t going to go away, so let’s make better candy.
Who makes these healthy candy bars? A company aptly named UnReal. Their idea was to duplicate the top-selling candy bars, using different — better — ingredients.
What’s supposedly good about the candy?
[wlm_private ‘PRO-Platinum|PRO-Monthly|PRO-Gratis|PRO-Seasonal|Platinum-trial|Monthly-trial|PRO-Military|30-Days-of-PRO|90 Day PRO|Stages-Instructor|Schwinn-Instructor|Instructor-Bonus|28 Day Challenge']
Good taste, better ingredients, and improved nutritional value. That translates to being made without chemicals, artificial colors, artificial flavors, corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, or GMOs.
[Let me stop here to ask a dumb question: How would you get GMOs in a candy bar, anyway? Aren’t those typically found in agricultural products? So are we just talking about non-GMO peanuts?]
What else is supposedly good about these candy bars?
They apparently contain less sugar, more protein, more fiber, and — I’m as confused as I can get about this one — real food ingredients. Does it seem contradictory to anyone else to talk about “real food ingredients” and candy in the same sentence?
Please don’t say agave.
As a final benefit, the candy bars are sold in the same places and for the same prices as the standard junk versions. Because that was my primary concern: convenience.
Okay, what’s actually in the candy?
Here’s a list of ingredients from one bar:
Milk Chocolate (cane sugar, chocolate, cocoa butter, milk powder, organic blue agave inulin, skim milk, soy lecithin, vanilla extract), Caramel (tapioca syrup, cane sugar, fructan (prebiotic fiber), organic palm kernel oil, whey, milk protein concentrate, organic cream, vanilla extract, salt, soy lecithin), Peanuts, Tapioca Syrup, Cane Sugar, Organic Palm Kernel Oil, Skim Milk, Peanut Flour, Salt, Hydrolyzed Milk Protein, Evaporated Cane Syrup, Soy Lecithin.
Could you enumerate the health benefits of that list? They escape me, but maybe I missed something.
Readers weigh in
Several people commented on the article, including me. Here’s my comment, and please keep in mind that I was being polite:
“I saw a display of UnReal candy bars at Staples a couple of days ago. Curiosity made me read the label of one bar, and I couldn’t help laughing at the number of sugars in it. As a recovered sugar addict, I certainly didn’t have the guts to try one…. I honestly can’t see how these products could teach children, or anyone else, about the value of fresh, whole foods or steer them in that direction.”
If you’ve read my articles, that comment won’t surprise you, even a little. It’s just me doing my anti-sugar thing again.
The truly surprising thing was the enthusiasm a number of respondents had for the product: “Go, UnReal!” “Bravo!” “Great idea!” “Kudos to UnReal.” Others described their plans to give out the healthy candy bars on Halloween.
And many of the folks who commented positively seem to have kids.
Fortunately, others indicated disapproval of the candy bars and disappointment with the author (“Have you sold your soul to the devil?”).
That made me laugh. A seminar attendee once summed up my attitude as, “Sugar is the devil.”
Well, sugar can, and absolutely does, outweigh whatever benefits a so-called “healthy” candy bar can claim to have — even one with non-GMO peanuts.
My recommendation?
Stop looking for a sugar loophole. If there were one, I would have found it. No one looked harder than I did 🙂
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by John | Mar 7, 2015 | Latest News, Your Fitness Business
Image credit http://www.thewrap.com
I'm going to look forward to watching Sweat Inc. > a new reality TV show that's scheduled for the Fall of 2015. What sounds like a great opportunity for someone, is a cross between SharkTank and The Apprentice. Jillian Michaels' latest media creation will give aspiring fitness entrepreneurs the chance to show why their new fitness idea, will become the next SoulCycle or P90x …
Sweating to the newbies! Jillian Michaels is teaming up with Spike TV to find the latest fitness craze in a new reality series called Sweat Inc. Tried SoulCycle, Cardio Barre, P90X, Tae-Bo (and many, many more) and think you can do better? You’ll want to sign up for the reality competition.
“We’re gonna filter out the frauds and fads and ultimately we’re going to identify the next fitness phenomenon – someone who has the knowledge and the drive and the determination to build a brand that’s gonna become a household name,” Michaels told advertisers during a March 3 New York City presentation announcing the new show.
Michaels will host the show and, along with two other health and wellness experts, judge 12 aspiring fitness entrepreneurs as they compete to create the next industry phenomenon.
Read more
It's not clear how to apply to be on the show. I found it's produced by 3 BALL ENTERTAINMENT 3650 Redondo Beach Avenue Redondo Beach, CA 90278 Office: 424-236-7500
I'll update this if/when I learn more.
by John | Mar 5, 2015 | Best Practices, Boutique Instructor, Instructor Tips and Tricks, Instructor Training, KEEPING IT FUN, Learn Leadership Skills, Master Instructor Blog, Your Fitness Business
I got this email last week – but I can't divulge who it's from for reasons you'll understand.
Here's one for you, John:
We've got a new instructor here who has been teaching for decades elsewhere, but is now only at our club. I get complaint after complaint about her from participants the days I teach. I have encouraged members to share their feedback with management, submit comment cards, etc.
However, I wonder, is it ok for me to also share the feedback I've been hearing with management? It's a situation where I don't know if I should wait and let numbers speak for themselves or say something.
Sent from my iPhone
Dear Sent from my iPhone,
I'm big on teammates respecting and supporting each other. So my short answer would be along the lines of the Golden Rule:
Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you
> leaving you with two possible choices:
- Say nothing to management
- Speak to the Instructor privately after taking her class and express your observations
I happen to know Sent from my iPhone personally. She teaches at a very upscale club, whose members are professionals. I'm sure they have high expectations for Instructors = their concerns/complaints are probably valid*.
*I say probably valid, but you can never be sure. I'll never forget years ago I had female members tell me about a “horrible” new instructor. So I went and took her 9:30am class > which was filled with housewives. It took me exactly 3 minutes to figure out what was driving all the complaints. The new Instructor was; young, thin, attractive and had a very “perky” personality. There wasn't anything wrong with her class, except that she had the misfortune of replacing a very good looking male Instructor 🙁
IMO Saying nothing is always best
Staying out/away from situations like this is the best tactic you can take as a professional. It will also demonstrate your character as a solid human being. Unfortunately, there are plenty of people who live for the drama and attempt to drag you into what would amount to throwing your teammate under the bus.
I don't feel what another Instructor does, or doesn't, do is any of my business. I hear stuff about other Instructors and classes all of the time. I try to keep my responses limited to, “I'm glad that you enjoy my class”.
Flip this around. How would you feel if another Instructor was “reporting” on you, based on comments from others?
Hearsay is inadmissible in courts for a reason
Hearsay, which literally means; “I heard him say…” is a form of gossip. Gossip that is often destructive to others and deadly to a small team of Instructors, or co-workers of any type.
If I was an owner or manager and another Instructor came to me with “concerns” they've heard from members, I wouldn't listen to them and my opinion of this person as a fitness professional would go down. Then I'd probably begin to wonder what he/she is saying about me, when I'm not around 🙁
We all need to be able to trust and depend on each other. Amy and I travel frequently = we needs subs. We are totally dependent on the comradery of our team to cover classes. If I heard that another Instructor was trash-talking me, or another on our team, I sure won't go out of my way to help them.
Why are you telling me this?
A good question to ask yourself, am I doing something to cause these comments?
I'm always curious when I hear that person “A” felt it necessary to report to person “B”, about person “C”. I don't feel that's normal. Something is causing person “A” (your reporting member) to come to you about one of your co-instructors. Any idea what it could be?
For example > are you telling riders during class, “I'll never tell you to do _______________ in class because its; dumb/unsafe/contraindicated/will cause your hair to fall out/etc…?
If you are, what's the purpose of saying it?
If you feel you need to get involved… get involved
There's nothing wrong with acting on the concerns you're hearing, to decide if they're legitimate. But you need to experience them first hand… as in go and take the class yourself.
After hearing for years about the untrained Instructors and dangerous classes being taught at SoulCycle, from people who have never set foot in a SoulCycle studio, I spent the money, took two classes, and reported on what I experienced in this series of articles. NOTE: There's a reason that studio fills nearly all of their 60 weekly classes (with 60 bikes) in a city that's 80 and sunny nearly every single day > Santa Monica, CA.
Stay incognito and keep an open mind
If you came to take my class, (and I don't know you) I would prefer that you acted like any other member. Please don't tell me, “Hi. I'm one of the Instructors here at XYZ Fitness!” Most of us will feel/act different when we know one of our peers is watching us.
Jump on a bike in the middle of the studio and do your best to be one with the class. If everyone is doing rhythm presses, except you, you'll stick out like a sore thumb. Worse if you just sit there motionless, with a defiant look on your face.
Take a few mental notes… some positive and some you felt were negative.
Then before you approach the Instructor, you need to do some honest soul searching.
Is it really my place to critique this Instructor?
What was really so bad about the class?
Did the participants enjoy the class?
What positive result will come from expressing my unsolicited opinions?
If you can get beyond all of that and still feel you need to pursue this with the Instructor, I can't help you.
My instinct is to stick with and support my teammates.
by John | Mar 4, 2015 | Featured Studios, Instructor Training, KEEPING IT FUN, Member Spotlight, Your Fitness Business
I love getting emails like this…
Hi John~
How have you been? It's probably been close to 2 or more years since I've touched base with you. I promised I'd let you know how my Total Rider In Motion Cycling Studio is doing as the years went by.
Here's my update:
After two years of just getting by we, like many people, say “you learn from what doesn't work”. We found out that groupon works to bring new people in and we had a large rush and kept about 20-30%. We were in the newspaper, radio and TV too, but word of mouth is what worked the best!!!
We had too much overhead and although we were having fun, we were not making any money to take home. Brenda and I always said if it the studio wasn't for either one of us anymore we could just get out. So this being said, we did go our separate ways (still great friends) but I wanted to keep going.
I moved my business to another location near our last and instead of leasing I sublease (so much less$) from a gentleman that is also into fitness. My space is within his Boot Camp and PT establishment. This is a large warehouse area and the people just flow in.
I'm happy to let you know that after 2 1/2 years I now have sold out classes weeks in advance and am not just having a GREAT time, but making money too 🙂
I see only good things for the future and adding more Real Ryder bikes!!!
Thank you for all your encouragement when we started and wonderful advice at the ICI/PRO convention. I miss those!!
Be well! Say Hi to Amy….she too was wonderful to us!
Wishing you a FIT day!
Darcie Adams
Congratulations Darcie! Your idea to partner with another fitness company sounds like it was a great decision. Seeing that your space costs are typically the largest single year to year expense, I'm amazed that I don't hear more fitness entrepreneurs partnering up together and share a studio.
by John | Mar 3, 2015 | Big Box Instructor, Latest News, Promote and Build Your Class, Your Fitness Business
Totally random observation…
You know we've gone mainstream when a large advertiser like Gillette, begins connecting their products to Indoor Cycling.
I ran across this article today in the online version of Shape Magazine. Seems like a typical bit of content designed to attract readers who have an interest in SoulCycle / Indoor Cycling.
Sure, sitting on the stationary bike and powering through a brutal “hill” climb in an indoor cycling class can be super challenging, but new research shows you’d be better off getting out of the saddle–even if that slows you down a bit. A recent study in The Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research found that standing climbs and “runs” provide the greatest cardio response in spin class (compared to sitting) even when you're not pedaling at your max effort. (Check out 8 Benefits of High Intensity Interval Training.) You should, however, be sure to maintain good form while standing–if you get hurt, you won’t be able to ride seated or standing! Take these four tips from Kaili Stevens, a SoulCycle instructor in New York City, to heart next time you hop on the bike.
This article is correct – we reported last year about a similar study conducted by Dr. Len Kravitz at the University of New Mexico that came up the same conclusions.
What caught my attention wasn't the article itself, but the image of a very fit and serious women riding a time trial bike – she's even wearing an aero helmet. The background gives the impression of power and speed. And there at the bottom of the image is an ad banner for a women's razor. That made me smile 🙂
I'm willing to bet that this post was created specifically as an advertisement for Gillette. Online magazines exist for only one reason, to make money. The bulk of their revenue comes from advertisers. Publishers like Shape have small armies of creative people who dream up ways to build promotions around advertisers. This article is a great example.
So my question for you. Is Indoor Cycling becoming mainstream a good thing?
