I'm not a late night person. Fact is I rarely make it till sundown. But them I pop out of bed before 5:00 every morning so that makes up for it… right?
Anyway, I was researching Indoor Cycling safety and stumbled onto this video from the Late Night with Jimmy Fallon TV show. I've never watched the show but this skit they did about Indoor Cycling classes is pretty funny. Mild content warning.
Some time ago I responded to a question from John with a note about the importance of visual learning. In spite of what I already know, I was still surprised by the changes I have seen as a consequence of a visual presentation to the group that is doing the Cabot Trail.
A little background: I have been taking an incremental approach to their training and to what I share with them. Too much information too soon would, in my opinion, be counter-productive. I have also been talking to them about the changes I see as they transition from people-on-bikes to cyclists.
A few weeks ago, after a milestone ride, I complimented them on everything from clothing choices to cadence and gearing. Then I shared the next step in their transition – the ride profile (from my GPS) of what they had just done. Frankly I did it as a bit of a lark – another step toward cycling geekdom. I did not expect the reaction I got.
The visual component of the profile along with the associated data has been truly transformative. As individuals they were able to link their experience of the ride with what they could see on paper or screen. I was pleased that they could articulate and repeat phrases that I have used in IC classes and point to where they used that information on the ride. Since that day I have seen greater focus and understanding and more initiative from everyone. Most surprising to me – they have switched into ‘data' mode and are now actively working to improve their individual performance in many areas.
I am limited in my ability to use visual aids in my IC classes. I am lucky to have a whiteboard! When I do video rides the bikes have to be moved to another floor and a complex array of cords and adapters and computers and projectors need to be organized. That can only be done once or twice a month. Based on my experience with this smaller group I know that I could have another level of impact on my IC students if I could reliably provide more visual information that links their physical experience to images and verbal descriptors.
I urge those of you who do have the ability to develop and use visual information to make that a routine component of your classes. Your students will fly as a result.
Read the rest of my posts about our preparations to ride the Cabot Trail.
I just received the latest issue of IDEA Fitness Journal and see that they have awarded Dan McDonogh with the highest honor achieveable by any Instructor; the 2012 IDEA Fitness Instructor of the Year!
Congratulations Dan!
RPM Instructors will recognize Dan as a long-time Master Trainer with Les Mills because Dan was frequently featured on their Instructor training videos.
Over the past couple of years Dan has transitioned away from RPM to his role as Group Training and Development Manager at TRX. I've seen Dan present to a group of what looked to be 100+ Instructors on TRX at the same time – fantastic! He is what I consider the ultimate instructor; he looks, speaks and acts the part to perfection. If you ever have the opportunity to take his class you're in for a treat.
I've tried unsuccessfully to have Dan on the Podcast a number of times and we were close to having him at the first ICI/PRO conference. Now I'll have to redouble my efforts at having him on the show… soon I hope.
Thankfully I was able to get everything moved and upgraded without any noticeable issues.
And just in time to go watch the Chanhassen 4th of July parade. During which Amy and I will be cooking in the oppressive heat and humidity, that is a typical Summer here in Minnesota.
Note to self; some cold beer in a “nondescript” Clean-Bottle water bottle may be just the ticket 🙂
An engineer-friend of mine frequently says; “there's something wrong with everything!” If I've learned anything after 4 years running this website, (still having a hard time believing it's been that long) it's that not every problem shows it's self right away.
So please let me know if you experience any issues logging in, updating your Super Secret ICI/PRO iTunes feed or anything weird.
Thanks for your patience.
John
I can't wait to experience this!
I was sorely in need of some motivation to train last month. When a few buddies suggested I participate in the Minnesota version of the Warrior Dash I said “sure” without really understanding what I was committing to.
From their website
There's certainly risk involved in Warrior Dash, but we take every precaution possible to get you to the finish line safely. There will be paramedics and an ambulance on site in case of an emergency. You enter Warrior Dash at your own risk.
I actually prefer events where my personal safety isn't assured… so this could be fun 🙂
Is anyone else participating in this madness? Or have you done one of these events in the past?
If you'll be there this Saturday, my heat goes off at 4:30. I'll be wearing a white ICI/PRO T-shirt.
I'll let you know if I survive it 🙁
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And she's very capable on two wheels!
Amy's been neck deep in planning and preparations for our daughter's graduation and upcoming party + everything else she's involved in. Thankfully (or sadly – not sure which) this is our last high school graduation. “Grad Parties” tend to get a bit competitive around here, adding a bunch of additional stress this month.
Now she's discovered that she's falling behind my fundraising efforts for the MS150. Amy and I will be riding together on the “Bus” (our tandem) this weekend.
I'm sure she would appreciate any help you can provide in meeting her fundraising goal.
Amy has her own page at the MS150 website