by John | Aug 2, 2017 | Instructor Training, Your Fitness Business
And a cinema at night.
Why is it some crazy ideas don't sound so crazy, once somebody is actually doing it?
For example; who would have thought holding Indoor Cycling classes in a movie theater would be a good idea?
He considered turning it into a recreation center, or a ropes course. But instead, he decided to follow the trend set by Flywheel and SoulCycle, two indoor cycling businesses that regularly sell out classes on summer weekends in nearby East Hampton and add a spin studio to his auditorium. At a cost of around $35,000, Mr. Rutkowski, opened up a few rows of seats, bought a sound and lighting system and 25 spin bikes and did a little cosmetic construction, mostly on his own.
“Now it looks like an orchestra pit,” Mr. Rutkowski said. Bikes are covered during movie screenings.
To make the transition, Mr. Rutkowski hired a consultant named Bill Pryor, who opened Spynergy studios in his hometown of Wellesley, Mass., and outside Chicago, in January 2005. Mr. Pryor said he has helped independent entrepreneurs on over 200 business plans in the last 2½ years. On average, he charges $4,000 per client; up to $10,000 if he is helping them from the ground up.
“A lot of studios are adding video to their classes,” said Mr. Pryor, who previously worked in the tradeshow industry. “But I've never seen anything like David's done.”
Bill Pryor is a long time friend and contributor here at ICI/PRO. Back in 2010 I interviewed Bill about the potential of starting an Indoor Cycling Studio and we are aware of dozens of new studio startups who found their initial inspiration from this Podcast.
After the expense of outfitting a room full of Indoor Cycling bikes, the cost of leasing the actual space for the studio is the biggest expense. And that's if you can find a suitable place to rent. Loud music is a part of any class and many stripmall neighbors aren't super excited to listen to hear Armin Van Buuren blasting at 95dBs during your 9:30 am class.
Movie theatres play loud soundtracks/music everyday. They have a bunch of parking (another big concern) and most importantly, they have holes in their schedules when they aren't showing movies. Virtual cycling classes using videos are all the rage for Indoor Cycling classes and movie theatres already have a big screen 🙂
Sounds like this could be a match made in Hollywood!
The owner of the private movie house in your town probably knows nothing about Indoor Cycling. But I'll bet they know their cash flow and may be open to a conversation where you bring some additional $$$ into her/his business.
Originally posted 2013-07-14 17:13:02.
by Jim Karanas | Aug 1, 2017 | Master Instructor Blog, Mental Toughness
By Team ICG® Master Trainer Jim Karanas
As you may know from reading these posts, I’ve written about motivation in several of them. I’m often asked to speak to groups about motivation, or write about it in newsletters that go out to athletes. It typically happens in January, because the expectation is that everyone has de-tuned over the holiday season and let their fitness and discipline slide. Since I don’t look at motivation or athletic training in that way, there doesn’t seem to be any reason not to write about it in July.
True, motivation probably is a good topic for the first newsletter of a new year, but I still consider it somewhat ludicrous. I’ve read too many articles about “getting started again” or “staying motivated”. In my mind, training never stops. You can be in an ICU after having open-heart surgery to repair a malfunctioning mitral valve with a congenital defect, and still train. You may not be logging miles, but you can train.
Physical training seems to me to be a natural process that incorporates conscious development and the integration of mind, body and emotions. It’s a form of human development that produces greater insight. If you approach your training in this way, it can and will enhance virtually every endeavor you undertake. You may even improve your performance as an athlete. At the very least, you’ll get more and take more (i.e., use more) from the experience.
When you understand this, training becomes an experience that engages you throughout your life regardless of circumstance. If for some reason you can’t train your body, you can still train your mind. If for some reason you can’t focus your mind, you can practice firing your emotions, or stimulating your will, or reducing your anger, or accepting what you are and are capable of doing.
Once you head down that path, there is no more stopping and starting. You may take a physical break, but, if you lose touch with what your training means to you, you’re simply exercising. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. It just has the capacity to be so much more. (See The Tao of Training, Part 1 and Part 2.)
If you tend to take a physical break during the holidays — and that could even include the long Independence Day weekend some may recently have taken — hopefully you feel rejuvenated when you return, rather than “out of it”. If you’re beginning a training cycle, you need to plan your competition phase: which races you will enter and your specific goals for each race. Decide which races are the most demanding and/or the ones in which you wish to perform best.
If you find metrics motivating, it could be worthwhile to find out where to obtain a fitness assessment that you know how to interpret, or that a coach can interpret for you. If not, begin with your base. Keep your training relaxed and comfortable and enjoy this phase.
Re-establish your drive by committing time and energy to understanding the motivation behind your training. If your motivation has not evolved, and you find yourself training for the same reasons you did last year, say hello to a plateau.
Maybe instead of turning your attention to getting back in shape, your first priority should be to determine the reasons you will log more miles — or train with greater commitment — this year.
Then do it because you know exactly why you want to.
Originally posted 2013-07-21 08:19:37.
by Tom Scotto | Jul 31, 2017 | Master Instructor Blog
As we approach the colder months (for many of us anyway), instructors and riders alike are searching for new ways to train indoors to maintain their fitness and keep from going insane. Over the last 10 years I’ve delivered various flavors of winter training programs as an independent indoor cycling instructor, as Stage5 Cycling and now through Cycling Fusion. Just as there are more than one type of rider and numerous demographics in fitness, there is more than one way to present a winter training program. I’m going to share some tips that I believe make these programs attractive and valuable.
First, What is a Indoor Cycling Winter Training Program?
A winter training program usually consists of weekly indoor training sessions over the course of a number of weeks or months. I’ve seen programs as short as 6 weeks and as long as 16 weeks. In addition to a fun group environment, they provide both accountability and training structure for riders trying to build and maintain their fitness over the winter (off-season) months of the year. The number of participants can range from 6 to 30+, with some offering multiple sessions per week, each from 1 to 4 hours in length. Some winter training programs can start as early as December and others may continue into April. What drives all these decisions and options? Well…..it depends.
Why Should You Consider a Winter Training Program at Your Club?
Before I go on a rampage about bringing the outdoor cycling community into your club, they are not the only group of people that may like or benefit from this type of training. Remember, the overall goal is accountability and training structure. Winter training programs can also appeal to the non-cyclist / fitness-only crowd who are looking for something different or another way to workout in a group with a purpose. Furthermore, other sports such as soccer, lacrosse, football and tennis (to name a few) have used indoor cycling as a great cross-training activity to provide their pre-season aerobic conditioning. But the bottom-line is…. Show Me the $$Money$$!
- Health Clubs Want More Members ($)
- Instructors Want to Make More Money ($$)
- Cycling Coaches want more Clients ($$$)
These programs are not free, but are offered at an additional cost to members (and non-members). The instructor gets a cut of the money which is usually a percentage of the revenue or a fixed amount per participant. The club will often use this as a way to attract non-members (who usually pay a higher price than members). It is a great opportunity for the club to offer temporary memberships or special promotional deals. If you are a coach, what better way is there to introduce yourself to a group of potential clients? Each weekly session provides a captive audience of riders, and if you do your job of leading the winter training well, it is not uncommon to convert a few of the participants to personal coaching clients.
SUGGESTION: Break down the price of the winter training program by week or session. For example, if you are charging $200.00 per rider for an 8-week session, show that this is only $25 per week. This will allow them to immediately see the value as they compare the weekly cost (apples to apples) to other services in the club like personal training, which are often priced much higher per session.
Choose Your Audience
Before you bring your master plan to the club’s fitness director, do your homework. First decide who your target audience is. Eh..cyclists, right? Maybe not. Consider who takes your indoor classes. Announce that you are thinking about holding a winter training program at the club and want to know who would be interested. Don’t just take note of how many people raise their hands but WHO raised their hand. A more formal way to present the idea is to make up a quick survey which asks a few questions:
- Would you be interested in an “X”-Week Winter Training Program (circle Yes or No)?
- Which Days are Best (circle Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and/or Sunday)?
- What Times are Best (circle Morning, Lunch and/or Evening)?
- What is Your Goal (circle Weight Loss, General Fitness, Charity Ride, Century Ride, Cycling Vacation and/or Competition)?
Keep it short and sweet and just have them circle or check things. The less they have to write, the greater your chance of getting a real response. The results of the survey will provide a good pulse on what structure may be best and indicate potential interest levels and goals.
SIDENOTE: Be true to yourself. Don’t try to be someone you are not. I’ve seen some disastrous programs where participants we disgruntled because the instructor targeted those interested in “Performance” but knew little about coaching or competitive cycling. Many of the participants demanded their money back and the program (and future programs) got a bad rap. Use your strengths and target those you are most able to help, and you are on the road to success.
Create a REAL Training Plan
Regardless of whether you are working with people interested in weight-loss or competitive athletes, design a weekly training plan that is progressive and adheres to a periodized model. Remember, many riders will begin the program deconditioned with a goal of building fitness over time. The plan needs to consider the goal of the program and provide progressive steps to deliver the necessary skills, training intensity and training volume. This is not about putting together 6 to 12 random classes, but rather creating a smart approach to training. This plan is also part of your marketing materials. When you advertise the program, list the focus of each week on your promotional materials and people will immediately see the value and benefit they will receive. Sign Me Up!
Get Measurable Results and Track Progress
The best way to show that a program works is to prove it. Both as Stage5 Cycling and Cycling Fusion, we provided metabolic testing and/or power testing before AND after the program. Not only is this an additional revenue opportunity, but it will show where a rider started and how much progress they have made as a result of your great instruction and coaching. If you don’t have access to metabolic testing equipment, try to find someone who does and see if they will give you a deal. They should, because (1) you are giving them a group of people, (2) they can setup a day (or event) when everyone can be tested together, (3) includes built-in repeat business and (4) provides good exposure to a health club with LOTS of potential clients.
I also recommend providing a way for each rider to record and track their progress. This could be a simple paper training log where one can write down their daily training time (volume), the specific training intensities they worked at, how many calories they burned, and improvements in leg speed and power. There are also a number of online training logs and journals that can make keeping track of this information easier. Some online systems can even pull your rider’s training information directly from their heart rate monitors, greatly reducing the amount of time needed to manually enter and calculate numbers.
Don’t shrug this off as a “would be nice to have”. There is tremendous value in being able to see a rider’s progress or lack there of. The purpose is not to harass your people each week like a drill instructor, but to help them be successful. If you are not aware of a struggle one of your riders is having, you can’t help them. In the end, they will have failed to receive the benefit from the program — which is not good for the rider and not good for business. Plus, many people don’t see a trend unless it is written down or displayed in front of them. Keep them honest and keep them accountable to the goals THEY said they wanted to achieve.
Don’t Forget the Basics
When you begin your program, don’t just jump right into training on day one. Depending on the background and experience of your participants, it may be very important to ensure everyone is setup correctly on their bike. I would make it “mandatory”. During the first session, I usually give them a very easy drill to accomplish (which doesn’t require a lot of cueing) while I move from rider to rider to check and record their setup and notes on their form. This is a good time to make specific recommendations on proper cycling clothing and shoes. The more you set your riders up for success in the beginning the more successful the program will be.
More Sales $$
In almost all winter training scenarios, I recommend participants have or purchase a heart rate monitor. Yet another training tool to ensure they are getting the most (and the right amount) from each session. This is a great opportunity to collaborate with your health club’s shop or store (if you have one). Many of the clubs I teach at have a pro shop or store where members can purchase (branded) merchandise such as water bottles, workout clothing and accessories. Many club shops may already carry heart rate monitors that you can recommend to your riders. If not, talk to the shop manager and let them know what you are doing. They may see the business opportunity and work with you. The more of the club’s services you can get involved in your program, the greater the perceived value and visibility.
Bring In A Guest Instructor, Coach or Athlete
Everyone loves a special guest. Is there a local coach or athlete that is interested in giving a talk or leading a training ride for your class? Don’t be shy, because these coaches and athletes often are not and “love” the spotlight. It is worth paying a celebrity for a day to boost the exposure and “coolness” of your program. Keep in mind that your guest coach or athlete will also pass the word around their circles of influence, validating your program and attracting more people.
Provide Training Resources
You should expect your riders to train between your weekly sessions as part of their commitment to the program. In addition to stating the expectation, provide training resources and options. These could include suggested training videos they can use at home, other recommended classes they could take at the club, and cross-training options such as yoga, pilates and strength training. This can be yet another way to get more of your club, or additional clubs, to participate in the program. For example, I spoke to a yoga instructor at a local studio that loved the idea of working together and created a “Yoga for Cyclists” partner program. People paid extra for these yoga sessions (winter training participants received a discount), she attracted cyclists to her studio and it was a great compliment to our program. We even got a couple of members from her studio to register for our program — spreading the love!
There is a lot to consider and a good amount of work involved to pull it off, but the rewards are great if you take the time to build it right.
Also, keep a look out for Gene Nacey's upcoming ICI/Pro podcast Sunday about developing a multi-week training program.
Originally posted 2011-11-03 19:28:14.
by John | Jul 30, 2017 | Instructor Training
ICI/PRO Member discounts
- SINGLE SESSION: 10%
- DAY PASS: 15%
- FULL CONFERENCE: 25%.
Visit the ICI/PRO Member Discounts page under the “Resources” tab above or use this link.
We apologize for adding these discounts late 🙁 If you registered before the discounts were available Cycling Fusion will credit/refund any difference. Please respond to the confirmation email you received when you registered to request your credit.
We are really excited to be able to offer these live broadcasts this year. One question we have been getting is: Does watching the session qualify for CEC's?
Unfortunately no. Offering “Digital Classes” that are approved by ACE (AFAA doesn't approve any outside digital education) requires a completely separate application + 60 days for it to be approved. We may decide to apply for CECs in the future, but for now viewing the session is only for your education and entertainment 🙂
Originally posted 2011-09-24 11:20:35.
by Christine Hawthorne | Jul 28, 2017 | Instructor Training, KEEPING IT FUN, Music
Here's a simple yet effective 4-minute drill you can use in your class today. Sprints, surges, accelerations: whatever you like to call them-you're going to be doing four of them. This song is perfect for 30 second work efforts followed by 30 seconds of recovery. It's the newest single from the rock band X-Ambassadors (also try Unsteady, Renegades and Jungle) and it's going to rock your next profile!
*TIP* Save this one for your Halloween themed playlist!
The Devil You Know by X Ambassadors iTunes link
by John | Jul 27, 2017 | Master Instructor Blog
By Team ICG® Master Trainer Jim Karanas
One of the best things about the Olympics is that it provides an ideal. We rejoice in being human. Even if we don’t exercise or have never done athletics, “stronger, faster, higher” makes sense. This became even truer with the inclusion of Oscar Pistorius (aka Blade Runner) in the Track and Field competition. The masses that watch and support the Olympics show no ego in that regard.
We believe there’s a reason for this. What it takes to become an Olympian is well advertised. Family, friends and businesses feel compelled to support the dedication these young people show for what they love to do. Because so many “ordinary” people play a role in getting the athlete to the Olympics, and because the athlete receives no financial benefit for the performance, we feel included.
Some great ads during the Olympics featured Morgan Freeman’s voice stating, “Before they got here, WE had to move them.”
ICG® wants to keep the fire going. Supporting our young trainers and instructors directly parallels the kind of support the Olympic athlete requires.
I’ve been a trainer/instructor for over 30 years. Everyone says they wish they had my job: I exercise, wear comfortable clothes, go to fun places and work with upbeat people. I also have less money for retirement and fewer assets than most people my age who have worked 30 years in a single, but different, industry.
I’ve spent a lot of time, money and effort becoming a good indoor-cycling instructor, and I’ll never regret it. I love to train. I love to show others how to train. I get to talk to people all day long about how great it is to ride a bike. I listen to music, watch forward-motion video, and travel to beautiful places to ride my bike, indoors and out.
I‘m happy to see more and more club companies providing employment opportunities with benefits for their instructors. Yet, overall, the industry is still lacking. I know many talented instructors who have left fitness because they couldn’t earn an adequate living to support their families.
Our industry needs dedicated instructors who are full-timers in attitude and caring, whether they work full- or part-time hours. To be effective in training someone in the second half of his/her life requires experience and maturity. Our future instructors must be dedicated professionals who take joy in their work, do it for life, and can earn the money necessary to support a family. Even send their kids to the Olympics, if that’s a possibility.
We at ICG® have looked at what we need to do to inspire the next generation of instructors. We take responsibility for supporting these young individuals who want to do what we do for the sheer love of training by giving away over one million dollars of accredited indoor-cycling certifications and continuing education for FREE. We believe that “Personal Bests are not just for athletes.”
To be a great indoor-cycling instructor, you must study as well as ride. You must dedicate yourself and commit to your craft. ICG® Master Trainer Chuck Cali is publishing an article later this week on “Improving Your Craft”. Become your best by taking time to read and learn, and then putting into practice, what ICG’s seasoned instructors and education specialists have created for the indoor-cycling industry.
ICG is offering the next 1000 new Team ICG® Members — and providing all its existing members with — our internationally accredited ICG® STAGES Online certification 100% free. This industry donation of over $1M is made knowing that, as we help you set new Personal Bests as teachers, you will help the generation of today — and the generation of tomorrow — set theirs, too. This is a worldwide offer.
We challenge our competitors to match our contribution and find ways that they, too, can inspire and deliver lasting benefits for future generations.
Club Owners, Providers, Instructors, Riders: Be Your Own Hero®.
“Join” Team ICG® at http://www.ic-pro.org/en/account/signin . “Follow” Team ICG® at facebook.com/teamicg
Originally posted 2012-08-20 09:03:45.
