How many of you have sung along to a favorite tune for years, in the safety of your car/shower or (God forbid) over the Instructor Mic, only to learn that you have some of the lyrics completely wrong?
Or looked at from the other direction; how many of you have felt a sense of contentment – once you've discovered the correct lyrics for a song – and your brain no longer needs to create sounds to fill the space where the newly discovered word fits?
I'll bet nearly every person in your class has a similar experience. That's why I'm thinking what follows could be something they would enjoy 🙂
If you're using Spotify, you may have seen all of the different desk top Apps that are available. Most of them are designed around discovering new music. When I fired up Spotify this morning I saw this new musiXmatch App that displays the lyrics Karaoke style for tracks playing on Spotify, along with rotating cover art.
This could be something cool you could add to your class if you have video and a method of connecting your computer or device.
WARNING – Many songs you may search for may have the lyrics, but haven't been timed to the actual song. MUSIXMATCH will then ask if you would like to be the first to sync the lyrics to the song, as you listen along. THIS IS VERY ADDICTIVE! I burned an hour this morning working my way through the whole David Bowie — The Rise and Fall of Ziggy Stardust and the Spiders from Mars (40th Anniversary Edition) [Remastered] both to see if my 40 year memory was correct and to add the sync if needed.
I'm going to experiment with this next week. I'm starting a new 6:00 AM class on Thursdays and my experience is that these early AM “A” types appreciate being mentally stimulated early in the morning.
Here's a fun video about MUSIXMATCH.
IHRSA 2013 demonstrated a major increase in club owners’ interest in virtual indoor cycling classes — rides led by a virtual coach or voice-over using Forward Motion Video (FMV). No instructor present. It was apparent at the IHRSA Trade Show that many club owners are now considering technology-based workouts.
Fitness companies have picked up on the benefits of virtual indoor cycling, chronicled by ICG in past posts. Some companies are investing millions of dollars in creating compelling content, geared to presenting a virtual experience that competes with live instruction. And an increasing number of clubs are realizing the economic benefit of offering and marketing virtual classes. These clubs range from budget clubs that have no intention of hiring instructors to major chains that support strong instructor programs.
Les Mills International (LMI) announced the launch of LES MILLSâ„¢ VIRTUAL at this IHRSA convention. LMI virtual workouts are based on master class content and demonstrated by their top instructors. These workouts will include virtual RPM classes, their brand of indoor cycling. Their filming and editing techniques are Hollywood quality. They have invested a great deal of money in making virtual classes that replicate the actual experience and energy of the master classes they present to their instructors all over the world.
The importance of LMI’s decision to provide virtual classes should not be overlooked. With their move to virtual and the high quality of their production, LMI, the industry leader in group-fitness programming, is indicating a shift in the industry’s acceptance of virtual classes.
Could virtual change the nature and economics of the fitness industry? The technology is fairly simple and getting better and cheaper. The content is improving. And the problems around maintaining an instructor staff are legendary. Ask any Program Manager: training instructors; making sure they stay current, show up on time, and fill out their timesheets properly; and much more. Virtual classes might just work in a major way.
So, speaking as an instructor, what are my options? If I support the use of virtual classes, and they keep improving, I could lose my job to a video of an instructor who’s much better than I am. If I don’t support it, my club owner may think that I’m not staying current in the industry, or that I have only my personal interests in mind. The owner may let me go, thinking I was the kind of instructor he/she wanted to get rid of, anyway. If I do nothing, I may suddenly be faced with a large screen and projector in the cycling studio and told to promote virtual rides to my students. Worse, I may be told that the club is scaling back its instructor-led classes because virtual is the future.
Here are the facts. Club owners see virtual classes as: a cost-effective way to boost class capacity and use the cycling studio at off-peak times; a way for members to fit classes into their busy schedules; a great way to introduce more people to group fitness and grow overall attendance; an effective marketing tool for enticing member prospects to join; a trend that’s here to stay.
To be proactive, I need to keep my instruction better than a virtual class. What can I do that video cannot?
1. I can learn people’s names and compliment them daily.
2. I can introduce them to others in the class and create a sense of camaraderie and group effort.
3. I can change my workouts and music for every class. (Some virtual programs are currently able to do this, but there’s likely to be greater repetition.)
4. I can get off my bike and provide individual coaching during class, as needed by the students.
5. I can improve my skills as an instructor, class leader, cyclist and dedicated employee so that, no matter who’s on the video, my abilities deliver a better class experience.
Having been a Program Director for over 30 years, I know that everything on the list above has been told to instructors in countless ways without large-scale success. The five items make you not only a better instructor, but also a better employee.
The industry is changing. I encourage everyone who is resistant to technology to change quickly. Invest in learning to teach with FMV, power, an iPod, or Spotify. Accept, even welcome, the advent of virtual classes.
Most importantly, do everything you can do to remind the industry that what makes group training most enjoyable is the social atmosphere and human connection that only you, the instructor, can create.
Las Vegas IHRSA was exhausting, consuming and exhilarating, all at the same time. With the exception of enjoying some adult beverages outdoors with Bill Pryor and Barbara Hoots on Wednesday night, between Tuesday night and Friday morning I never stepped outside the convention hotel.
There's an unbelievable amount of both time and money being invested specifically toward Indoor Cycling. The shear amount of new models, new technology and new education that I saw tells me that major & minor manufacturers see Indoor Cycling as a huge growth opportunity.
A very exciting time to be an Indoor Cycling Instructor for sure 🙂
I'm working on a number of articles/reviews about my experiences this past week at IHRSA and first wanted to give you these quick, random bits from the show.
Sales are good! Every major manufacturer's representative I spoke to had positive things to sale about the health of the market.
Lots-O-Watts: Club/studio purchasing agents had their pick of Indoor Cycles with power indication from; FreeMotion, Keiser, Schwinn, Spinning and Wattbike. There were also a few that were brand new to me or prototypes on display including; POWERbahn, EVO and Monark from Switzerland that uses Rotor bicycle power cranks.
My favorite quote from the show: “Indoor Cycling is a completely different sport from outdoor cycling. It's frustrating to me when people pull ideas from some outdoor cycling coach or training program and try to apply them to indoor cycling.” Angie Sturtevant – Spinpowerâ„¢ Program Director / Power Specialist Master Instructor.
Attendance: The place was packed. Every vendor I asked said they were impressed by the attendance – and they weren't just North Americans. I heard a lot of; “no speak English” when I approached participants.
Most talked about subject: Soul Cycle's /Flywheel's influence on our industry. I was asking every participant I could find their thoughts on the state of our industry. At some part of many conversations one of those two brands was mentioned. Not always in a positive tense, but there's no doubt that the successes of Soul Cycle and Flywheel are well understood and on the minds of many.
Get ready for an avalanche of new Indoor Cycling technology: FreeMotion launched the new commercial / club quality Tour de France Indoor Cycle where the Instructor can control the pitch of everyone in the class 🙂
No batteries required: It's a simple thing and it may sound insignificant, but the self-charging power meter on the new Spinner Blade Ion was really impressive. I'm going to bet they will close sales with big clubs based on this feature alone.
I had Shazam working overtime as I moved from one manufacture's booth to the other this week. During one of Chuck Cali's MyRide+ demo rides, I caught this epic finale of his last climb.
It's an interesting track. The “Big Finish” of E.S. Posthumus — Ushas comes with about 25 seconds of the track left. Chuck explained that with the emotional “help” of the music gone, it was up to the riders to summit the climb using their own internal motivation – and by the looks of the participants they did 🙂
This week's track has a somewhat split personality, a Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde if you will… with you in complete control of the personality through the volume you play it.
I found Passenger — Let Her Go while listening to ICI/PRO Member Soigneur Jennifer Lintz's ( j8lintz in Spotify) playlists. I commented about it to her and she explained that she had used this track as a cold down during her last class. Easy to understand – Dr Jekyll.
OK. So I woke up this morning thinking this could make a great Friday track, if I could find a free version to share. I like to play music (especially in the morning) a bit louder than other people. Possibly a throwback from growing up in the 70's and the “Turn it up to 11!” mentality 🙂
Listening to Let Her Go this morning at my normal setting had me thinking; this could be an awesome climb during an endurance class. The speed is perfect at 75 rpm and the simple, repeating lyrics are very powerful when they fill the room. Turn it up Mr Hyde!
Let me know what you think after listening.
Sorry but the free version is no longer available.
Our parents had an easier time deciding on a bicycle.
By Team ICG® Master Trainer Jim Karanas
If you teach an authentic style of Indoor Cycling and pattern your classes after riding a real bicycle, invariably students who have not ridden a bike for many years will ask you the above question. Unless you are an avid rider or coach people outdoors, as well as indoors, you may not have an educated response. If you read John’s recent post “Sticker Shock”, you may realize that our students really need our advice on how much of an investment to make.
Hundreds of articles online can answer the question. What I want to share with you is some of what I’ve personally learned through the years.
How Much Should I Spend?
Rule #1: The more you spend, the better the bike feels. This is one of the most direct, linear relationships on the planet — from the frame, to the wheels, to the components, to the tires. The more you spend, the more the bike rides like a dream. Rule #2: The more you ride, the more you’ll appreciate Rule #1. A Ferrari is wasted on me, but I can feel the difference between Ultegra and Dura Ace. The more you ride, the more you can appreciate the subtleties of a bicycle. Rule #3: Never bring your credit card until the 3rd shopping trip. Absolutely never. Obviously, this is to prevent impulse buying. On the other side, few things are more fun than buying a bike. You’ll feel like a kid again. Except now you’re responsible for your bills.
Which Type Of Bicycle Should I Get?
Rule #1: Speed hurts. A road bike hurts your back and your crotch the most and is the easiest to crash, but you get to go really fast, wear lots of cool gear, and shave your legs. Rule #2: Think DIRT if you don’t take yourself too seriously. If you want to ride ego-free and experience down-to-earth cool, then get a Mountain Bike and hit the trail with loosened inhibitions and a spirit of adventure. Rule #3: What’s the best bike in the world? The one you’re on. There’s nothing wrong with a hybrid.
Should I Buy New or Used?
Rule #1: A bike is like a pet. A bicycle works its way into your heart. Everyone who has sold a bike on Craigslist has sold a piece of his or her soul. You pray that you can find a good owner who will keep riding your bike. Rule #2: Every bike needs a wrench. A Wrench is the affectionate name given to a bike mechanic. One of the main reasons to buy a bike from a shop is that you build a relationship with that shop and with the mechanics who tweak your bike so it feels fantastic to ride. Rule #3: Pay homage to the beater. On the other hand, don’t overlook getting a broken-down wreck that has been neglected for decades and bringing it back to life. It will probably be your favorite bike ever.
Which Bike Shop Should I Go To?
Rule #1: Sandals with socks. The small, local shop will always have the best personalities, gentle souls who have dedicated themselves to helping others ride bicycles. The small shop will typically have great mechanics who have been there for years. They’ll know your name and be happy to see you. Rule #2: Bright lights. The Big-Box Shops always have bright lights for some reason, and everybody’s shirt is tucked in. They’re corporately owned and very professional. Some people like that. Rule #3: Buy something every time. Whichever type of shop you choose, be a good customer. A shop will take care of you if you support their business. Never drop into a shop, ask for a derailleur adjustment, and then just say “thanks”.
Okay, so this wasn’t the article you expected. You may have hoped I would talk about researching bikes online, or setting a price limit. You can Google that stuff.
When your students ask you about buying a bicycle, remember that bikes differ. They’re built for different situations and different terrain. Remember that riders differ in their dreams, goals and desire to ride a bike. Instead of being overly analytical, I suggest that being completely subjective — based on your student’s needs — about how much to spend, which bike to buy, where to buy it, and how to service it will be the best way for you to help the student decide.
Las Vegas IHRSA was exhausting, consuming and exhilarating, all at the same time. With the exception of enjoying some adult beverages outdoors with Bill Pryor and Barbara Hoots on Wednesday night, between Tuesday night and Friday morning I never stepped outside the convention hotel.
