By Jennifer Lintz, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and ICI/PRO Contributor Have you ever not done something because you weren’t sure you could? As instructors, I have a feeling many of us talk quite a bit about comfort zones (specifically, getting out of them) in our classes, but I often wonder … do we take our own advice? I have seen Eleanor Roosevelt’s quotes on this topic numerous times, but I will
Stop Listening To Vegetarians and Start Eating Complete Protein (You’ll Focus Better!)
True observation: I’ve had quite a few class participants who were unable to focus for more than 30 seconds at a time. No exaggeration. It was particularly noticeable in rowing (it’s easier to hide on a bike), and usually coincided with the fact that they were vegetarians. Another rowing instructor told me that someone in his class “can’t focus longer than 30 seconds.” When I asked, it turned out the
Use Thought Bubbles for Class Story Line and Cues
In Jennifer Lintz’s last post; Use YOUR Workout as Inspiration for your Next Class , Jennifer talked about using your personal workouts and build a class around them. Makes sense to me… because I’ve experienced something, I can more accurately describe the feelings, intensity, frustration, etc… I follow communication expert Alexa Fischer (she was featured on Podcast #296) and she’s frequently sending out short videos that seem to always get me
Motivation vs. Enthusiasm
By Team ICG® Master Trainer Joan Kent Do any of your students struggle with motivation? Have any of them missed classes, perhaps several in a row, because they “just didn’t feel motivated”? For a number of years, I’ve been an instructor/nutritionist for a weight-management program that includes indoor cycling. Motivation has often been an issue. Which comes first – motivation or results? My immediate response to that question was “motivation.”
Solving Student’s Technical Problems
Question from an ICI/PRO member: Hey john, I had a rider wearing a Timex HRM in class yesterday and it would not pick up her heart rate on the Keiser console of any of the bikes? It does work on other equipment in the facility (treadmills etc.) Is there a reason for this? and what she should check if purchasing another HRM to look out for? thanks This had me
Lookin’ for Energy in All the Wrong Places
By Team ICG® Master Trainer Jim Karanas Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. – Leonardo Da Vinci The tendency of the western mind is to expand and be progressive. The desire to “take it to the next level” is part of that, the goal of it. Progression is inherent in physical training. Until periodization became popular, all cardio-based training was based on progression. With periodization, cardio training still progresses, but in
Sports Psychologist Dr. KC Wilder to present at the conference!
This is exciting! Sports Psychologist (and ICI/PRO Member) Dr. KC Wilder was planning to attend this year’s ICI/PRO conference. She offered (and I accepted of course) to teach one of her signature rides on Saturday October 1st. Tour de You (Ride) Special guest Instructor Dr. K C Wilder will take you on her Swirling Circles of Freedom ride where she will teach you how to help your students transfer their stress
I had a bad experience today
Please learn from this article My good friend John Macgowan of www.indoorcycleinstructor.com effectively outlined the three components of a group fitness class: 1) foundation, 2) media (i.e. music) and 3) presentation. It is my opinion that neither one, alone, will make your class great, but one, alone, can ruin it. I participated in an indoor cycle class this morning and I am confident I will never attend this instructor’s class
Is it worth the risk?
With the increase popularity of indoor cycle classes comes new participants. These club members have been eyeing your class and have been asking other members about their experiences. As much as they would like to try out your cycle class, there are a few distracting, “what if” thoughts they can’t seem to eliminate: What if I can’t keep up with the rest of the class? What if I get injured?
Using Imagery to Improve Technique
Athletes know all too well the benefits of using imagery before competition. A tennis player will imagine his powerful topspin-slice first serve. A golfer will rely on imagery to review her plan of action for her next swing. A baseball player will use imagery to get motivated for when it’s his turn at bat. With proper execution, imagery can also be used during your indoor cycle classes to correct and
You May Be More Powerful Than You Think
Do you have expectations about the ability of your individual participants? Ever notice how many of your expectations become a reality? In many cases, this is due to your intelligence of your sport and fitness knowledge. However, research continues to demonstrate that a leader’s (i.e. coach or instructor) expectation of his/her followers (i.e. athlete or fitness participant) influence performance. The phenomena is called the self-fulfilling prophecy. For indoor cycle classes,
