by John | Feb 14, 2012 | Barbara Hoots, Music
If you have had the privilege of working with Barbara Hoots you understand there's no “half-way” with anything she does. Barbara is only interested in perfection and lives by the adage: Go big or Go Home. So the new Top Indoor Cycling Songs from 2011 list is approaching 400 tracks!
We will be sending the new list (complete with iTunes links) to everyone on our email lists. Not a subscriber to our weekly email newsletter? Join for free here.
ICI/PRO members will get exclusive access to the complete Spotify playlist.
Even if you don't use Spotify to deliver you class music, I strongly suggest getting a free Spotify subscription. You simply can't beat Spotify for sampling and discovering new tracks + unlike iTunes, Spotify let's you play the entire song so you can fully understand if each track is exactly what you need for that perfect playlist 🙂
* Complete as in every song on the list that is also available in Spotify.
by Barbara | Jul 5, 2011 | Barbara Hoots, Promote and Build Your Class
The dog days of summer are here with a vengeance, and your classes may be showing the wear and tear of hot weather. But there is no reason why your studio can’t be a riot of activity in spite of the heat. Consider these six easy perk-ups to generate new energy and unstoppable momentum.
“Featured Artists” Spin® Off
ICI/PRO Member Nina Israel asked me to create a mixtape featuring music by Prince and Michael Jackson to help launch a new studio. Because her idea was so awesome, I offered the same ride at my own facility and even included classic YouTube video performances prior to the ride. Who can forget Michael Jackson’s Moon Walk? A few creative posters promoted the event, and many students arrived an hour before class to secure a bike. Not a fan of Michael or Prince? Select your own artist showdown: Zeppelin vs. Rolling Stones, 70’s vs. 90s’, Akon vs. Usher, Divas vs. Degenerates, etc.
Cycle 101
Promote weekly intro classes to recruit new students. Bonding with other newbies creates a fraternity, and students feel comfortable knowing they have a buddy system for encouragement and accountability. Offer a “graduation” incentive after attending six Cycle 101 classes: a logo water bottle, towel, bumper sticker or tee shirt.
Spruce Up Your Studio
Let’s be honest. Does your facility look the same as it did last summer? No wonder your class attendance has slumped! Momentum must be created and sustained continually in order to foster growth. You’ve talked for years about updating your studio — now is the time.
Guest Instructors
In a rut? When was the last time your club brought in a guest instructor to motivate and inspire both students and teachers? Generate a buzz and create excitement when you hype up a guest appearance. Reach beyond your comfort zone and invite a motivating instructor to teach a few rides at your studio. Works like a charm.
Monday Night Lights
Beg, borrow, rent or purchase some nightclub-quality LED lights. Just plug them in around the room to create a visually stimulating light show every Monday night during the summer. You can easily transform an average class into a spectacle of lights and sound. American DJ lights are affordable and simple to install.
We’re Going Out!
Teens and college kids home for summer are an enormous untapped market. My studio added a Friday evening “We’re Going Out” ride with music and instruction designed for the “Under-25 Crowd.” Instructors invited their friends to attend using Facebook and free passes. Those friends soon became members, and now they are an integral part of our cycling family.
What idea would you like to share?
by John | May 22, 2010 | Barbara Hoots
I love hard working entrepreneurs! ICI/PRO team member Barbara Hoots has launched IndoorCycleDesign.com her Spinning® Indoor Cycling Studio design service.
Barbara recently designed the Spinning® Studio for the very exclusive Half Moon Bay Resort in Jamaica – click here > then click Travel Spots for info about teaching opportunities at Half Moon Bay Resort.
by John | Feb 25, 2010 | Barbara Hoots, Latest News
Our very own ICI/PRO Team Member Barbara Hoots announces;
First Officially Licensed Spinning® Resort in Caribbean
(I know how hard she worked and all the hurdles she overcame to make this a reality. I'm very proud of her + it's going to be a great place to teach! Info about teaching here in exchange for an all-inclusive vacation HERE – John)
Find a hammock for after your class...
From their press release:
Rose Hall, Jamaica (February 2009) – Half Moon, the luxury resort located in Rose Hall, Jamaica, has teamed up with internationally acclaimed STAR 3 Spinning instructor Barbara Hoots and Mad Dogg Athletics, developers of Spinning® to offer guests the popular cycling-inspired Spinning® classes. This will make the luxury resort the only Caribbean resort to offer this popular fitness programme.
Equipped with 10 custom-designed Spinner® bikes and state of the art sound system in specially-designed Spinning studio, guests of the 400-acre resort can choose from three unique tours that invite them on a virtual experience of Jamaica.
The programmes Climb to Blue Mountain, No Problem Tour and Adventures in Negril were developed by Spin veteran Barbara Hoots and feature specially created soundtrack to inspire and energize riders.
(more…)
by Barbara | Oct 24, 2009 | Barbara Hoots, Featured Articles, Music
ICI/PRO’s Top 100 Songs
Want to punch up your playlist with some of the best music on the planet AND get the inside scoop on how to teach each empowering song? Thanks to a suggestion from ICI/PRO member Charles Farrow of Montgomery, Alabama, we’re going to collect 100 of the BEST songs ever recorded along with coaching tips from YOU – the most passionate instructors in the world!
Think for a moment…what is your favorite song – that little gem that creates explosive energy and reaffirms your commitment to indoor cycling? Now, here comes the good stuff….how do you TEACH that magical song to encourage your students and help them squeeze out every last drop of effort?
We need your help to create this golden list of inspiration. I’ll kick it off with my top five songs and the rest is up to you! Simply reply to this post – ONE SONG per COMMENT. C’mon, send us your best! (Duplicate songs are welcome as long as the teaching method is different.)
Update: Comments are closed on this post and Barbara has compiled the list for you. We ended up with 161 and they are available free to subscribers of our email newsletter.
The list of 161 songs is old news. Have you seen our new: BEST 400 Indoor Cycling Songs list? It's free to subscribers to our email newsletter. Click here to join now.
