At this moment, I'm sitting with one of my dearest friends and fellow cycle instructor. We've been listening to music together and we found this great 7 minute flat. She will use it for an opener- I most likely will too. It's 102 rpm's- great for warming up our legs after coming in from the frigid temps in Minnesota and Michigan (she lives in Michigan).
Interestingly enough, the original “Limit to Your Love”, by James Blake is 73 rpm and I've used it for a climb in past profiles.
Spotify is continuously updating both their computer software and iPhone/Android Apps. To keep you up-to-speed with changes and improvements, here are a few new tricks you might not be aware of – a few of these are courtesy of PC Magazine:
Recover Deleted Playlists
Oh Crap! Ever have that sinking feeling when you've inadvertently deleted a spotify playlist? Have no fear. Spotify has a place where you can recover deleted playlists. To find your deleted playlists go to your Spotify Profile (opens in your browser) and scroll down to Recover Playlists.
While you're on your Spotify profile
Spotify only allows you to sync three devices. So if you've upgraded, replaced or added any devices (new iPad for Christmas?) you can Remove Offline Devices there.
Clean House
If your sidebar has your scrolling through a few hundred playlists, it maybe time to get organized! While it's not a new feature, how to create new Playlist Folders isn't readily apparent > but it is easy. From the File navigation you can select New Playlist Folder or the Ctrl+Shift+N shortcut has the same result. Create a folder name and then drag playlists into the folder.
Garbage in… Garbage out
To be fair, the Normal setting for sound quality is fine for most listening situations and streaming. Your studio isn't one of them. Can I assume you what the very best sounding music possible? Amplification of music will magnify the quality (or lack of quality) and the difference will be noticeable to your participants. Follow the Settings > Music Quality and set the Sync Quality to Extreme. Sure it takes a bit more memory, but the clarity and PUNCH of your Extreme 320 kbps tracks will make a subtle (yet impactful) impression on your class! NOTE: this setting only effects music you've set to make available offline > which is the only way you should be playing class music.
Find the best EQ for your studio
Do you have a few participants who always show up early? I do and last Thursday (New Years Day) I put them to work before the start time for class. I used Aly & Fila — Perfect Love – Radio Edit, a fun track from this Jan 1st Playlist and went through each option on the Equalizer: Settings > Playback > scroll down > Equalizer. The Dance EQ setting was the popular favorite so Dance was what I used – and will continue to use in that studio.
NOTE: If you want to get really fancy you can tap and drag the white dots to make your own custom EQ setting. It appears that Spotify remembers your setting after it's been closed, even though the little check mark doesn't show the next time you open Spotify, so it's all good 🙂
What's this remote control thing?
Spotify assumes that if you're playing music from your computer, you automaticly what to control said music from your handheld device. But what if you don't want to control your music from your iPhone? It drove me crazy for a while until I figured out that I could turn off the remote control by taping the green speaker icon shown below.
2014 was another great year for music. Many of the songs that made my list this year dropped in the second half of the year and a few actually came out in 2013 with remixes that dropped in 2014. And I may have cheated here or there with songs that came out in late 2013 and didn’t fall on my radar until this year. Regardless, I’m sure you’ll find something you can use in this list. Maybe you’ll even find something new to you, or a song you had used earlier in the year but had forgotten about. You might even consider putting together a playlist including some of these favorites for your class to ring in 2015.
This year, I’m sharing with you how I used each song in my class. Feel free to use them in the same way or share how you use them in the comment section.
Here are my top 20 Indoor Cycling Songs of 2014 (in no particular order):
1.Lips Are Movin’ by Meghan Trainor: I like this one (at least for cycling) so much better than All About That Bass. They’re both fun, light songs that can always elicit smiles. How I used it: standing climb, warm up
2.Geronimo by Sheppard: There’s nothing NOT to love about this totally catchy tune. How I used it: standing climb, seated climb, warm up
3.Shot Me Down-feat.Skylar Grey by David Guetta: I love this adaptation of Nancy Sinatra’s ‘Bang Bang’ featuring Skylar Grey. It starts out slow and then builds, slows again and finishes with a strong beat. How I used it: alternating seated/standing climb
4.I Bet My Life by Imagine Dragons: This single was released on October 27 to promote their upcoming album Smoke and Mirrors. A big contender for my favorite song of the year. How I used it: standing climb with standing accelerations on the chorus
5.Turn Down For What by DJ Snake, Lil Jon: Technically, this song came out at the very end of 2013, but I didn’t start using it until 2014. Rolling Stone voted it as the 2nd best song of 2014 and I have to agree. How I used it: seated flat with accelerations on the chorus
6.Love Runs Out by OneRepublic: This song was supposed to be the first single from OneRepublic’s album Native, but apparently it wasn’t finished in time. It came out in 2014 with the re-release of the album, and it’s just as amazing as the rest of the songs on Native. How I used it: seated or standing climb/ warm up *Check out the remixes.
7.Fireball by Pitbull, John Ryan: My classes can’t get enough Pitbull, so I was so excited when this song was released in July. The horn melody at the end of each chorus sounds a lot like the Champ’s ‘Tequila’. It’s just a fun song with a ton of great Pitbull energy. How I used it: standing climb
8.All of Me-Tiesto’s Birthday Treatment Remix-Radio Edit by John Legend : All of Me, the original, came out in 2013, and this remix dropped in early 2014. While remixes don’t always work for me, this one really did and I love using it in my classes. How I used it: standing or seated climb
9.Animals by Martin Garrix: Another song that officially dropped in 2013, but I didn’t really start using it until 2014 so it’s going on the list. How I used it: alternating seated/standing climb *Check out the remixes.
10.Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson, Bruno Mars: This single was just released in November. I love the guest vocals by Bruno Mars and the retro sound. How I used it: This is a tough one at just under 60 RPMs, but we don’t always pedal to the beat. I’ve used this one as both a standing climb and a warm up.
11.Come With Me Now by KONGOS : This song by South African band KONGOS was initially released in 2011 but just found commercial success in the US this year. I’m voting for this one as my favorite of 2014. How I used it: seated fast flat road
12.Delirious (Boneless) by Steve Aoki, Chris Lake, Tujarr : This is one of those songs that has a great beat and just keeps your pedals moving. There are several different remixes to choose from as well. How I used it: standing climb *Check out the remixes.
13.Raging Fire by Phillip Phillips: I would definitely say this song is every bit as good as his previously released Home. How I used it: jumps on a hill, seated accelerations on the chorus
14.Sing by Ed Sheeran: This song was written by Sheeran and Pharrell Williams. Williams also provides uncredited background vocals. How I used it: alternating seated/standing climb
15.Centuries by Fall Out Boy: This song was released in September as a lead single for their upcoming album American Beauty/American Psycho. How I used it: seated flat road
16. Maroon 5: I’ve actually chosen two favorites from their most recent album V. The first is Maps, which was the lead single for the album. How I used it: standing climb. The second is Animals, which was the second single from the same album. How I used it: seated flat road
17. Hoochie Coochie by Band of Skulls: At 2 minutes and 40 seconds, it’s short and sweet. It’s around 75 RPMs, so it’s just between a seated flat and seated climb-your choice.
18. Shut up And Dance by Walk the Moon: Another very recent release that I’ve loved using lately. It has a catchy beat and it’s just fun and lively. How I used it: seated or standing climb
19.Come Get It Bae by Pharrell Williams : Pharrell pretty much became a household name this year. How could I not use one of his songs? How I used it: seated or standing climb, warm up
20. Take Me To Church by Hozier: This song has been on my repeat radar since I discovered it. Apparently I’m not the only one because it has received a Grammy nomination for Song of the Year! I will definitely be rooting for this one to win. How I used it: cool down
There you have it. My top 20 of 2014. It was so hard to decide which ones would make the list and if you asked me on a different day, the list might look completely different. I know there are so many great songs that didn’t quite make it, so here’s a list of honorable mentions:
Blame by Calvin Harris, John Newman (check out the remixes)
Peace by O.A.R
All About That Bass by Meghan Trainor
The Days by Avicii
The Nights by Avicii
Stolen Dance by Milky Chance
Am I Wrong by Nico & Vinz
A Sky Full of Stars by Coldplay
Problem Ariana Grande, Iggy Azalea
Angel in Blue Jeans by Train
Cadillac, Cadillac by Train
Feet Don’t Fail Me Now by NEEDTOBREATHE
Bang Bang by Macy Gray
The Man By Aloe Blacc
Ticking Bomb by Aloe Blacc
Can You Do This by Aloe Blacc
Summer by Calvin Harris
Ten Feet Tall by Afrojack, Wrabel (check out the remixes)
The Soundmaker by Rodrigo y Gabriela
Budapest by George Ezra
Fever by The Black Keys
Here’s the Spotify playlist which includes all of the songs mentioned:
What do you think? Did I get it right? Did I miss any? I welcome your comments and music suggestions. 🙂 Here’s to a happy and healthy new year filled with some great new music!
With over 1800 articles in our archives there's a good chance that our ICI/PRO members may have missed some of our best stuff. So every Wednesday we are republishing some of our favorite articles and podcasts – enjoy!
By Team ICG® Master Trainer Jim Karanas
I love looking for music for my class. I’ll spend hours searching. When I find a good song, I’m ecstatic. I’ve always loved listening to, hearing and feeling certain rhythms. There’s even a hierarchy in my appreciation of a song: first, listening to it; second, riding my bike to it. But the absolute best is leading a class to it. It’s an awesome feeling.
I’m not the only one. Many indoor-cycling instructors feel the same way.
If you teach indoor cycling, you’re an Exercise to Music (ETM) instructor. ETM instructors work in fitness centers, health clubs, community centers, church halls, schools — in fact, wherever there's a suitable space and some sort of sound system. Most of us work freelance, delivering several classes a week and enjoying the flexibility of working around our existing lifestyle. Some teach full-time and often become involved in running a club as studio coordinators. Wherever ETM instructors go career-wise, however, they share a love of teaching to music.
Music influences us so deeply that the body reacts. Our pupils dilate, our pulse and blood pressure rise, the electrical conductance of our skin drops, and the cerebellum, a brain region associated with bodily movement, becomes more active. Blood is even re-directed to the leg muscles. Some speculate that this is why we tap our feet (or ride harder). It’s obvious that music evokes emotion, but it’s still not clearly understood why.
Recently, a team of Montreal researchers screened 217 respondents to ads seeking people who experience “chills to instrumental music.” The researchers asked the subjects to bring in a playlist of favorite songs and monitored their brain activity while the music played.
The music triggered the release of dopamine in the dorsal and ventral striatum. No surprise. Those regions have long been associated with response to pleasurable stimuli. The more interesting finding emerged from a close study of the timing of this response, what happened seconds before the subjects got the chills.
Just before the participants’ favorite moments in the music, dopamine activity increased in a different portion of the brain called the caudate. Researchers called this the “anticipatory phase” and suggested that it signals the coming of a pleasurable auditory sequence, triggering expectation of euphoria, a “reward prediction.” The reward was the sense of resolution — hearing what they expected to hear.
We typically associate surges of dopamine with the processing of actual rewards. And yet, in the caudate, while listening to music, dopamine release is most active when the chills have yet to arrive, when the melodic pattern is still unresolved.
This is why musicians sometimes introduce a theme or note in the beginning of a song and then avoid it. The longer we’re denied the pattern we expect, the greater the emotional release when the pattern returns. That’s when we get the chills.
But that’s just listening to music. Why is teaching to it even more pleasurable? When we know a song really well, it becomes more predictable. Yet, when we teach to it, that doesn’t seem to matter. Or maybe we like teaching to music we love because it’s familiar, not despite that. We’re anticipating our favorite parts and getting the reward when we ride as they play.
There’s no research that explains this phenomenon in ETM instructors, so I tried to think of a similar situation.
Teaching indoor-cycling to music is not unlike a musician’s performance. I’m not creating the music, but I’m channeling my feelings for it into classes. I build and repeat patterns. They’re biomechanical, but they’re still patterns.
So I checked the forums and found statements on why musicians like to play and perform. These were some of the accounts I found:
I play simply because it brings me a kind of enjoyment that I can’t find anywhere else.
There’s no better feeling than creating something that cannot be recreated.
Because I have ideas and feelings that I can't express any other way.
To bring an audience into the moment is satisfying.
It's like a body part. I was just born with it. I can try to ignore it, but it will always be there. I can enjoy myself and do what I was born to do and love to do, or I can stop doing it and be miserable.
By the pure manipulation of sound, you can bring out emotion in yourself and others and express yourself when words fail. Well, that, and chicks.
For me, playing music reaffirms that there is magic and wonder in this world.
To end war and poverty, to align the planets and bring universal harmony and contact with all life forms from aliens to household pets.
Every one of the above statements describes my feeling about teaching indoor cycling to music. The last one is my favorite because the musician can’t identify why he/she loves to play. People ask me why I’ve taught exercise to music for over 30 years, why I spend hours looking for the right song to create what I hope will be a good ride. I can’t quite explain it, either.
Becoming a good indoor-cycling instructor requires an incredible amount of work, and having a passion for music helps to motivate us to put in the many required hours. Studying music, staying open to sources of new music (e.g., a movie soundtrack), learning to play an instrument, or just listening to musicians perform are powerful ways to improve our craft.
I'm loving my iPad to pass the time during long flights. I download a few movies from iTunes or Amazon, cue them up on the plane and before I know it I've arrived at my destination.
My younger daughter Carly came along with me to Naples this week and we watched The Equalizer. I'm a Denzel Washington fan (and a fan of the old TV show) so this was an easy choice for our return flight on Wednesday.
There's a big fight scene in a Home Depot like place. Lots of action to be sure and this weeks free track is Zack Hemsey — Vengeance > the awesome music that perfectly supported all the drama and emotion that accompanied the visuals.
If you're looking to add some emotion into your class… this maybe a good choice. Vengeance is very dark and the lyrics a bit disturbing. The first 2:45 is a gradual build up at 83 RPM to a massive 1:30 surge. Then there's about 30 seconds where, if you weren't watching the progress bar, you'd think the song was over. But it's not. You'll want the volume LOUD because @ 4:45 there an very abrupt explosion of sound for another 1:30 and doesn't end until the final 18 seconds. I'm going to use this in my New Years day class as a pair of attacks for the BIG FINISH.
I'm tempted to use Zack Hemsey — Graven Image as a runup to Vengeance to really set up the mood of this climb.
I suggest closing your eyes and listen to this all the way through a few times. My guess is that you'll figure out exactly what you should be doing, and when you would do it 🙂
“Bone Thugs-N-Chili Peppers” by The Melker Project
“Vertigo (Redanka Power Mix” by Peter G ReWerk
As many of you know, I live in Colorado and skiing is one of my family's favorite winter activities. Every year we used to look forward to the release of the latest Warren Miller ski movie as the unofficial start of ski season. It became a family tradition to get tickets to the Friday or Saturday night showing at the Paramount Theater in downtown Denver. The later the show the rowdier the crowd, everyone was so amped to get the ski season started. I also knew that the new release meant fresh ski footage and music for my video cycling class. Over the years the footage has remained top notch, but the music has gotten worse and worse, it has gotten so bad that we stopped attending the show two years ago. That year the music was so bad that I wished I had brought my ear buds so I could have put together my own playlist, on my phone, while watching the movie.
[wlm_private ‘PRO-Platinum|PRO-Monthly|PRO-Gratis|PRO-Seasonal|Platinum-trial|Monthly-trial|PRO-Military|30-Days-of-PRO|90 Day PRO|Stages-Instructor|Schwinn-Instructor|Instructor-Bonus|28 Day Challenge']
This got my sons, Seth and Christian, and I thinking that we should start using the awesome ski footage that is available on the internet and put it together with music that people actually listen too. Over the years we have created quite a library of ski videos, many that I use in my indoor cycling classes, that we believe is like Warren Miller, only better. I hope you enjoy the work we have done and let me know what you think.
3 song harmonically mixed track, 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.
