The holiday season is fast approaching and finding the perfect gift for the athlete on your list can be quite a challenge! The sheer volume of fitness gadgets, gear, and gizmos is enough to overwhelm even the savviest of shoppers! But fear not. Take a deep breath and relax because I’ve compiled a list of incredibly cool gifts for your favorite fitness enthusiast. Got great ideas of your own? Post ‘em here…Santa can always use a little extra help!
BIKE TUNE-UP – If the cyclist on your list is a recreational rider or isn’t particularly skilled in bike maintenance, wrap up a gift certificate for a bike tune-up. The price typically runs about $50.
iMUFFS – What’s exercise without music? Wireless workouts will be appreciated by any athlete! Wi-Gear’s new iMuffs are sleek, wireless headphones designed to work with iPod, Bluetooth and Skype. Check them out at www.wi-gear.com.
REFUELING BASKET – Put together a basket filled with everything from Clif Bars to Gu packets. Throw in some homemade trail mix and a few pairs of new socks and you’re golden.
RUDY PROJECT RYDON PERFORMACE SUNGLASSES – Rydon’s come in a wide array of lenses with polarization, color, and prescription options. They are lightweight, anti-fog, anti-slip, and provide maximum UV protection. Find them at cycling stores or online at www.E-Rudy.com.
PERSONAL TRAINING/GYM MEMBERSHIP – Create a winter fitness package that includes personal training sessions, massage and even tanning! Many gyms offer a three month membership which is perfect for the off-season months. If your athlete is already a gym member, consider buying a punch card for yoga or Pilates classes since many gyms charge extra for these. Bundle the package in a spiffy new gym bag.
GET THEM OFF THE COUCH — If your friend or loved one doesn’t exercise, they may actually resent a gift of fitness. So how do you get them started on a healthy program? Make a gift certificate that reads, “I’ll meet you every Saturday morning for a 60 minute walk.” Your time is the most valuable gift they will ever receive.
SOCCER BALL CONTACT LENSES — Has a coach ever told you to keep your eye on the ball? It would be impossible NOT to with these contact lenses! The manufacturer, German optician Stephanie Berndt, produced these visual aids to celebrate the World Cup of Soccer. www.cococontacts.com/search_results.php?keyword=soccer.
PRIVATE CYCLING COACH — Hire an expert. Even if only for a month, there’s nothing like working out one-on-one with a professional coach to vastly improve a rider’s ability at any level.
YOGA MAT WITH AN ATTITUDE — In the sea of ubiquitous yoga mats, inject a dash of humor in your practice with a Photo Series mat by Plank Designs, Inc. Featured in Shape, Women’s Health, and a gazillion other magazines, you’ll find fun yogi gear at www.plankdesigns.com.
PROFESSIONAL SKIN CARE — An athlete’s skin is exposed to sun and environmental pollutants that can damage your skin. Turn back the years with a collection of skin care products by Obagi®. According to Joy White, skin care specialist and half marathoner at Belle Meade Dermatology in Nashville, Tennessee, Obagi® Foaming Gel Cleanser, Healthy Skin SPF35, and IS Clinical Vitamin C+E are products that flat out work. Joy also recommends a water resistant sunscreen such as Blue Lizard Sport if you sweat. Purchase products through your dermatologist or online skincare sites.
INSTRUCTIONAL VIDEOS — Education is the gift that keeps on giving. For the Indoor Cycling Instructor on your list, go to www.globalride.net for some of the best teaching DVD’s ever produced. “Climbing Sufferage in Italy” and “Speed & Power in Italy” are both exceptional.
CARBON DIOXIDE TIRE REPAIR KIT — Priced around $10, the beauty of this gift is that everyone gets a flat tire at some point in time and this gadget will inflate a tire a flash! No more struggling with a small frame pump to get enough pressure in a road tire. Pick up a few spare cartridges as well; they don’t go bad. Kits are small enough to fit in a jersey pocket.
EBOOK: Keep It Real In You Indoor Cycling Classes – If you haven't yet added this ebook to your cyber library, then you might want to put it on your own Christmas list, or buy it for your favorite co-instructor. It's one of those “must-haves” for all Indoor Cycling Instructors!
ICI/PRO TEE SHIRT — Hey, John! Where’s the ICI/PRO stuff? We want hats, sweatshirts, tees, and even socks with this cool logo. C’mon, guys, let’s inundate John’s mailbox with requests and maybe he’ll get the hint…..post away…..you have my permission….hehehehe…….They're coming soon Barbara. John
DJ Scott Melker playing the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Golden, CO
As many of you know I've worn many hats in the fitness industry, I've been an Assistant General Manager, Operations Manager, Fitness Director, Triathlon Coach, Master Swim Team Coach, Master Educator, Personal Trainer, Group Exercise and Indoor Cycling Instructor. Throughout my almost 25 years in this customer service industry I have heard many member comments, complaints and compliments. Through these years I have grown a thick skin but the one comment that still cuts the deepest is when I hear that someone complains about my music. Being an indoor cycling instructor has, forever, changed the way I listen to all music. Music is now put into two categories; will this song work in class or not. I'm on a never ending search for the perfect indoor cycling song. This search reminds me of the story of Sisyphus from Greek mythology. He was punished for chronic deceitfulness by being compelled to roll an immense boulder up a hill, only to watch it roll back down, and to repeat this action forever. After I find the “perfect” indoor cycling song I feel I'm on the same journey at Sisyphus. I find the song, listen to it, probably 20 times, find all the beat and energy changes, figure out a profile for it, listen to it another 20 times imagining my profile being used with the song, use it in a class, make changes, use it again in a class, perfect it, then when I finally push this boulder to the top of the hill and have produced the perfect mix of music, movement, rhythm and riding it's time to start this process all over again because riders are getting tired of this “perfect” song.
Around the same time John and Scott announced their “ICI/Pro DJ Scott Melker Music Playlist Contest” I was in a state of the dreaded “profile writers block” and I was told that a club member had commented about the lack of variety in my music. Yes, at first I was offended, but then I thought maybe the announcement of this contest and these negative comments were a sign. I decided to take on the challenge of using Scott's playlist and building the best profile I could. This project was extremely challenging for me, I'm usually a profile first music second type of class builder, this forced me to swap my way of thinking. Scott's playlist included some songs that I never imagined playing in an indoor cycling class, when I first heard them I immediately put them in the song category of “will not work in a class”, but I was being forced to use them so I had to figure out how to make them work. After countless hours of listening to Scott's playlist and tweaking my profile, I believe I have come up with a class that uses the artistry and energy of a playlist put together by one of the world's top DJs, while staying true to my scientifically proven teaching methods.
I hope you find this class profile both fun and effective, my class sure did.
I challenge you to step out of your comfort zone and create your own profile for this contest.
Scott Melker's Playlist, to download Right Click > Save As / Save Target As to download. Open in iTunes and then you'll see this in your Spotify Local File folder.
Blink, Blink, Blink …………………goes the clock on your VCR. Yep, I said it, VCR. It is mind boggling to me that I have children (ages two and four) who will never know a Tape Player, VCR, 8 Track, and possibly even a DVD. Technology moves fasters than the fastest cyclist on his/her best day. But this story isn’t about VCR’s or technology. It’s to illustrate a point about how we as a culture like to change, modify, and complicate things even when they don’t need to be. I am writing this even at the risk of getting backlash from much more “technical” and experienced outdoor riders. But like I said in my first post, I speak from the heart and you’re either going to love me or hate me. If you’re looking for stats or data to shave off 3 seconds from your hill climb…..then I’m not your guy.
I still remember the very first VCR my mom and stepfather bought. He was a car dealer and had gotten a great bonus check. It was summer, probably July, and we loaded up in the car and headed to the Video Rental store. For you young readers, we used to have places that had VCR tapes lined up on all of the walls so you could choose what you wanted. In addition, WAY back then (early 1980’s) we had discs that looked like large vinyl records but played like a DVD. They were encased inside hard plastic covers. Anyway, back to my story. The VCR most likely costs us $600, weighed as much as my brother and I combined, and if I am not mistaken had no more than 5 features. Play; Stop, Pause, Forward and Backward. More expensive ones had “Record” so you could tape Price is Right or your favorite soap, but as a 10 year old I was just excited to rent Friday the 13th (The first one).
That VCR had less technology than the cheapest, crappiest cell phone on the market today, but when I look back it did absolutely everything that we ever needed it to. Then somewhere in some big board room a group of people decided that we (the consumer) needed to have options. And not just a couple, but over a hundred that the most experienced technical engineer would have trouble programming. So my question is WHY !?!?! Why do we need to complicate every single thing in our world to the point that we either lose some of the enjoyment OR feel like a complete idiot because we can’t or don’t want to spend the day trying to figure it out ?
How does this apply to us, the indoor cycling people of the world? And actually, I will go so far as to throw in all Group Ex AND Personal trainers to this query. What are WE doing as coaches and leaders to complicate things that don’t need to be complicated? I still believe, and may be wrong with everyone OUTSIDE my class, that my people come to me for more than instruction on how to peddle, when to get their heart rate up, or when to stand up. Let’s face it, I “teach” (HATE to use the word teach, I prefer coach) a class on how to get on a bike and peddle. Sure, there are MILLIONS of ways to teach and A LOT that goes into it……FOR AN ELITE ATHLETE to do the tour!!! But I have 30 to 60 people who, like me, are there for so much more than to learn all the tricks to shave off 3 seconds from their best time. And even if my people ARE there to learn how to shave of the 3 seconds, I believe (speaking about my people of almost 20 years) are trying to shave that time for internal reasons. Reasons of personal growth, pride in ones accomplishments, or even to use that shaved 3 seconds as a metaphor for something much bigger in their life. That’s why I teach and have always taught from a spiritual perspective and not so much from a technical perspective.
I am so fortunate to “coach” at arguably the best club in the US. I spent 10 years in all 50 States as a Sales manager and so I have been in too many gyms to name. I have seen trends in workouts, classes, equipment, and I am never surprised at what comes next. Right now this “Cross Fit” craze is amazing to me. We are now as an industry demonstrating that “hey, you didn’t need to join a gym with all the Cybex equipment because that spare tire in your garage, sprints up and down your street, and jump rope is all you need for a great workout. And you know what, they’re right. Why is a sprint on a Schwinn spinning bike any more beneficial than a sprint up the hill in your neighborhood?? It’s different because our people come to us for something they can’t get at home in the basement or in the garage. For some of you, maybe it is the technical lingo you use. Some of you may be like me and teach good form but with a focus on the “spiritual” aspect of the ride. The truth is that if we do it right and with proper form, then all of these things will get us to the goal, which is for our people to walk out feeling healthier and in MY opinion both “physically” AND “mentally.”
My point is that we don’t have to complicate things the way we sometimes do just so that we can stick with the trends. If your class demands that, than do it. But don’t lose focus on your core audience of people, the ones who stuck by you for 20 years. Give them the best music, the best guidance, the best stories, and the best up to date techniques IF that is what is going to give you and them the result you’re looking for. Let’s remember and never lose sight of the fact that our members come to us to lead them and if we tell them that rubbing their tummy while sprinting doubles the amount of calories they burn, then chances are most will do just that. So it’s our obligation to introduce the right amount of “new” technology if and only if the benefit is there. THEY are giving up one hour of their lives and putting it in our hands. I for one ONLY want to provide the best.
So the next time you jump on your bike ready to start class, remember that blinking clock on your old VCR and ask yourself “have I put together a class with total focus on helping them achieve their goals?” or have you designed it based on an article on the latest “Crave” from some gym in a posh LA studio? Do your research, make sure the latest “thing” is right for your students and then apply it. But don’t buy the VCR with 100 programmable features that you don’t know or understand until you SET THE CLOCK ON IT FIRST!! Now go press PLAY and have some fun. And please send me your thoughts so I can learn my audience.
Below, Premium Members can view and download a printable Class Profile that can be used in class, read a detailed description of the Power Based Training Zones and download a printable Power Postcard.
After an exhausting but exhilarating week of grand opening festivities, I’m thrilled to unveil the new Spinning® studio at Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN.
Transforming a basketball gym into an indoor cycling studio was challenging, but with the help of a passionate Student Activities Staff and talented Theater Department, the facility unfolded on schedule, came in under budget, and the final result was simply breathtaking. Students and faculty members were thrilled to return to campus to discover indoor cycling had arrived!
Kick off week included team teaching with five classes daily, self-guided scenic rides projected on a large movie screen, interviews with local newspapers, and best of all – athletic coaches began their spring training in the new Spinning® studio!
If you’d like to spice up your health club’s indoor cycling studio and create a wave of fresh excitement, try a few of these simple design elements I implemented at Lipscomb University.
Pain sucks. When we get injured or sore or uncomfortable, we instinctually try to fix it. We reach into our medicine cabinets, pop some pills, and “get back out there.” But are we really doing ourselves a service? Can we actually be inadvertently putting ourselves at risk? Turns out, maybe so.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), which include ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib (Celebrex) and a ton of others, are available over-the-counter and are widely used by the general population for, well, everything. Studies have found a disproportionately high use of NSAIDs amongst athletes, particularly elite athletes, as well as a lack of awareness of key dangerous side effects.
Standard care in medical practice is to discourage prophylactic use (taking medications in advance of preventing a problem, as opposed to treating an existing problem) of NSAIDs. But what about NSAID use after injuries? NSAIDs have traditionally been part of hallmark treatment, particularly for facilitating an early return to activity. But there is a controversy in sports medicine about whether NSAID use in the first few days after acute sports injuries can actually compromise the healing process. Let’s examine how that might be so. (more…)
BIKE TUNE-UP – If the cyclist on your list is a recreational rider or isn’t particularly skilled in bike maintenance, wrap up a gift certificate for a bike tune-up. The price typically runs about $50.
iMUFFS – What’s exercise without music? Wireless workouts will be appreciated by any athlete! Wi-Gear’s new iMuffs are sleek, wireless headphones 
designed to work with iPod, Bluetooth and Skype. Check them out at www.wi-gear.com.
lightweight, anti-fog, anti-slip, and provide maximum UV protection. Find them at cycling stores or online at www.E-Rudy.com.
SOCCER BALL CONTACT LENSES — Has a coach ever told you to keep your eye on the ball? It would be impossible NOT to with these contact lenses! The manufacturer, German optician Stephanie Berndt, produced these visual aids to celebrate the World Cup of Soccer. www.cococontacts.com/search_results.php?keyword=soccer.
by Plank Designs, Inc. Featured in Shape, Women’s Health, and a gazillion other magazines, you’ll find fun yogi gear at www.plankdesigns.com.
ICI/PRO TEE SHIRT — Hey, John! Where’s the ICI/PRO stuff? We want hats, sweatshirts, tees, and even socks with this cool logo. C’mon, guys, let’s inundate John’s mailbox with requests and maybe he’ll get the hint…..post away…..you have my permission….hehehehe…….They're coming soon Barbara. John
After an exhausting but exhilarating week of grand opening festivities, I’m thrilled to unveil the new Spinning® studio at Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN. 
