If you've ever asked yourself; “when will there be a video that we could use as part of a Spinning® Class Race Day profile?” The answer is now! Epic Planet has just released Pensacola Stage Race which I see as perfect for a Race Day class or to use during an FTP or AT/LT Heart Rate assessment day. This 60 minute video includes:
5 minute warmup
10 minute Road Race
10 minute Time Trial
30 Criterium
5 minute cool-down
Here's the part I'm most excited about 🙂 Producer Allen Jones had sent me a rough cut version of Pensacola Stage Race earlier this Summer asking for input. I was instantly transported back to my days racing local criteriums, by the on-bike footage showing the riders jostling for position, over-taking, the steep angle of cornering, all of the scary things for you to run into on each lap and even a few crashes. But what really did it for me were the sounds of the race; shifting gears, the buzz of a coasting freewheel, communication between the racers, shouts of encouragement from the crowds and most importantly the ringing of the bell – signalling one lap to go!!!!! Fantastic! But I really dislike the canned music included on most DVDs. Where I teach (and most I'm aware of) the sound system will combine the sounds from multiple sources – I can play the sound track from a video along with the music from my iPhone or a CD. So I asked Allen if he could include the option to play just the actual sounds of the race, with no music. Being the very accommodating person that he is, Allen has included what he calls an option for just SFX – Sound Effects that you can play along with your personal playlist. Here's the trailer and you can order Pensacola Stage Race as either a DVD or Digital Download.
I love a fun contest where I get to give away something cool to our members 🙂
TeleAnimation – the company in Bavaria that produces FitViewer Indoor Cycling training videos asked if we would promote their comprehensive catalog of virtual cycling videos that include some of the famous Tour de France climbs like; Alpe d'Huez, Col d´Izoard, Col de la Madeleine, Col du Telegraphe,Col du Galibier and many others.
FitViewer's DVD selection includes 83 HD videos and include these locations:
These are very “pure” HD virtual ride videos. There are no riders (except for those randomly passed), no metrics (profiles or other training information) and no music; you would use your own anyways.
Many of these videos running 90 minutes to two hours – Alpe d'Huez is just under 3 hours at 175 minutes – which will make for an awesome endurance class next winter!
Entering the contest is as easy as leaving a comment below. Tell us where you teach and a short – fun/interesting story or fact about your class, studio or club.
That's it.
We'll pick three Instructor comments at random on June 30th. They'll all be able to lead their classes over the long, punishing Tour de France climbs in July.
Video is taking over the world. Over 4 billion hours of video are viewed each month, and YouTube is the most-used search engine, after Google. Video is also changing indoor cycling classes everywhere. Like music, video engages our emotions. To reach a cycling audience with imagery and music creates a synergy that lifts indoor cycling to new levels.
Club owners seek something innovative. Cycling with video is enjoyable, entertaining, and a dramatic differentiation from the current indoor-cycling market. The number of emerging businesses that produce video attests to the impact it will have on indoor cycling.
As entertaining as video can be, however, the key reason people join clubs is to achieve their fitness goals and be educated in how to do that, not for entertainment.
Before writing the check, anyone investing in video programming must investigate the quality of education or coaching that accompanies the video product. This applies equally to live-instructor group classes and virtual group classes.
At ICG®, we believe it’s important to remember that video is JUST video. It’s an asset that can add to the indoor-cycling experience but will never dominate it. Even with the world’s best video, without proper coaching for the live instructor or excellent voiceover coaching in the virtual product, you’ll have:
Instructors continuing to teach to music only, or turning on the projector but never integrating video into their classes.
Virtually instructed classes projected to empty classrooms, and/or DVDs sitting unused in a box or drawer in the studio.
Quality instruction has always been the key to any successful indoor-cycling program. That won’t change with the addition of video. As long as facilities offer live-instructor classes, the instructors must first appreciate, and be energized by, what video brings to their classes. Once they support video’s benefits, they will sincerely recommend virtual programming — so long as that virtual class stands up to the quality of live coaching.
Bringing video to your cycling program is not a stand-alone purchase. Whether it’s to enhance live instruction, provide virtual classes, or both, it must be supported by online learning, as well as live education and training offered by your video provider.
Empowering instructors to use video in their classes demands technology that allows them to control the video as easily as they control their music. (DVDs just don’t make the grade in that regard.) It also requires an education platform that teaches them to integrate video readily into what they’re already doing — while producing a significantly enhanced experience for the members.
If a club offers both live classes with video and virtual classes, then the instructors must stand behind the virtual-class program and see it as complimentary to, not competitive with, their positions. Participants will typically follow the instructor’s lead. However, that alone will not motivate the members to participate in virtual classes.
For a workout video to compel people to train in a cycling studio with no instructor, the content can’t be good. It must be great. There’s no motivating instructor who knows your name, maybe no social interaction with other members. What works for a solo participant on a bike in front of a small screen may fail miserably in the group-cycling studio. This is even truer if the facility doesn’t employ instructors.
So the question is: What makes a virtual class compelling?
There are four dimensions to a successful virtual cycling class — Sensation, Flow, Challenge and Convenience.
Does the visual sensation grab attention? A compelling member experience must elicit strong, positive emotions. Is forward-motion video of beautiful destinations around the world more visually engaging than the world’s top master presenters sitting on bikes?
Does the workout flow? To be effective, a virtual class must be better designed than a live class. Members will come in and take an average class from a live instructor, but they won’t come in to take an average virtual class. Sound levels, content, matching voice and tone to the content, pacing — the sense of flow delivered through the interaction of voiceover cues and video must be better than with live instruction to be as effective.
Was the workout successful? The members will want to be physically challenged by the workout and mentally engaged by the information delivered. With no instructor and possibly no other members, what encourages the member to work hard? It comes down to quality recorded instruction, selection and use of music, music/video synergy, and editing.
Were the virtual classes offered at convenient times? Does the technology offer “auto” scheduling, where the virtual class and projector turn on and off at scheduled times? Dynamic club schedules that allow virtual classes to be easily added to, or taken off, the schedule based on participation will have a big impact on virtual programming success.
At ICG, we consider ourselves the leading authority in cycling with video. We believe indoor cycling is driven by instructor communication and motivation, plus social interaction. We believe instructors need education and training to integrate video skillfully and professionally into their classes.
We believe that virtual classes can rock and that instructors must support the classes.
Virtual classes must be visually stimulating. They must flow, provide a challenge, be offered at convenient times, and be better produced than a live class. We’re committed to developing better techniques and technologies to make future indoor cycling experiences more “real” as classes with video and virtual classes go mainstream.
I was there! OK, but because I was talking to so many people I ended up in the back row, at the end of that row, but I did get close to Troy Jacobson, as he walked past, once…
My friend Allen Jones from Epic Planet.tv – the company with the Epic Planet Indoor Cycling DVDs – has just launched a FREE Virtual Cycling Studio Program. It address a major pet-peeve of mine; getting a reduced price replacement DVD when you have one that's scratch, damaged or for what ever reason won't play.
I'll let Allen explain the program…
Virtual Cycling classes are taking the indoor cycling world by storm with instructors and studios all over the U.S., Canada, and Europe using epicRIDES to bring an exciting new dimension to their classes.
From Southern California to Maine… from Florida to Washington state… from Nova Scotia to British Columbia… and in Europe too… epicRIDES are wowing classes and giving both instructors and studios an exciting new way to differentiate themselves from the competition.
Here's what some indoor class students said about their virtual ride to Epic California – Mt. Baldy:
“I was really impressed. I usually close my eyes when I’m spinning, but I kept looking up to see the scenery. I have to admit I took the last climb to my '10' and that damn clock on the screen was way too slow!”
“The Mt. Baldy ride was outstanding, as this is a ride I have actually done, so I could really relate to it. I was able to make this ride feel very real, as the video was very well done and made me feel like I was right there, doing this painful ride again. Two thumbs up to you and the producers.”
If you are an instructor or studio owner using or planning to use epicRIDES for your classes, we want to encourage your efforts! To do that, we are launching the Virtual Cycling Studio Program, which will provide member instructors and studios MANY special incentives and benefits, including:
Discounts on DVDs and downloads
Disk replacement program
Discounts on indoor cycling clothing
More to come…
To become a member, just complete their online signup form. There is no charge or obligation.
I have always been a fan of cycling videos in my Indoor Cycling classes. I tend to do a fair amount of my low zone work inside, even during the summer months, on various indoor bikes or trainers and I totally love the distraction. Bike-O-Vision was a fresh new take for me in that the videos do not have cyclists or any type of dashboard. This is truly just eye candy to get your mind off of the hours of work that you have ahead. The creative inspiration of Jan Hunter is evident in the videos that he produces and they have over 71 titles.
Additionally, Bike-O-Vision has recently release their streaming service on Vimeo which is an amazing way to try their products and always have fresh scenary on hand.
If you've ever asked yourself; “when will there be a video that we could use as part of a Spinning® Class Race Day profile?” The answer is now! Epic Planet has just released Pensacola Stage Race which I see as perfect for a Race Day class or to use during an FTP or AT/LT Heart Rate assessment day. This 60 minute video includes:
