My buddy Randy sent me a link to this fun video below. He's our MS150 Team Captain and a regular on the Sunday AM rides Amy and I lead. Randy knows me all too well; whenever we get to a rest stop I'm making a bee-line for the PB&J's. The awesome volunteers at one stop even cut off the crusts – making them just like my mom did.
Peanut butter is a staple in my diet and you'd need a lot of facts and figures to dispel my belief in PB&J's as the hands down best rest stop food… period 🙂
So here you can learn how to make the perfect PB&J
Thanks to John, and his great mid-week surprise release for us to use in the beginning of our classes, the pressure is off me. However, we still need a great Friday Favorite, so here is something a little different to try for a quick and dirty climb at 63 rpm’s. I have been interjecting this as a change from fast intense climbing at 72-76 rpm’s, as a bit of a “break”. This American alternative rock duo is due to release a new album next month and I am looking forward to it. In the meantime, this 3:33 tune from Helio Sequence has their trademark ethereal sound with a nice strong beat. Enjoy “Can’t Say No” from the Keep Your Eyes Ahead album and keep your eyes open for their new album, out September 11, 2012.
Here's the poster promoting Larry “Link” Russell's Zoning Fitness Workshops at his YMCA.
Would like like to make $500.00 for teaching a 2 hour workshop? While at the same time making a huge impact on the fitness of your students?
Larry “Link” Russell is doing just that by conducting Zoning Fitness Workshops at his YMCA.
Zoning Fitness provides everything you need to start profiting from conducting Zoning Fitness Workshops at your club or studio.
Here are some past interviews and articles where you can learn more about the Blink Heart Rate monitor and the 2T/3Z (Two Threshold / Three Zone Heart Rate training zones)
“I'm trained as an Instructor. I've earned multiple certifications, spent thousands of dollars and invested hundreds of hours, all with the purpose of delivering a great class to you today.”
“But many of you will probably judge me by my skills as a DJ… the one part of this class for which I have no formal education.”
It had to be the funniest thing I've ever heard said by another Instructor… well I thought it was funny, and I laughed out-loud when she said it during her opening of class. What made this humorous was a combination of her deadpan delivery and the unexpected honesty of her statement.
Could anything be more true about teaching an Indoor Cycling class?
To paraphrase the memorable line from a TV and radio commercial from Verbal Advantage; People judge you by the music you play…
In past surveys I've done, Instructors have said that they spend more time on music than any other aspect of their classes. I'm not sure this dependency on a great playlist, as the foundation of you class, is entirely healthy. But I can understand how it can become the focus of your class preparations.
So what's my suggestion for ensuring your class will enjoy your music selections?
Steal music ideas from others 😉
Here are a few places you can start:
Rolling Stone's Top 500 Songs of all Time. Especially if you have an older demographic, you can't go wrong with these past favorites. Most are so memorable that you could start a sing-a-long. Here's a link to the list and there's a partial list (385) you can find in Spotify.
Grab our list of the Top 404 Indoor Cycling Songs. These have been hand picked by other instructors and a class playlist created from them is a nearly guaranteed hit.
Subscribe to ICI/PRO where we have over 50 class playlists, created by experienced Instructors. Each playlist is tied to an easy to follow class profile that explains exactly how to teach the class; cues, timing – everything 🙂
Get the Shazam app for your iPhone or Droid and bring it to a popular Instructor's class. Shazam each song they play and the app will keep a list for you to “appropriate” into your playlist. Don't be surprised to catch an Instructor in your class doing this if you've followed suggestion #3
Consider a mixed class music service like indoorcyclingmusic.com A good DJ doesn't have gaps between songs – it wrecks the mood you want to create. If you don't have the hours to spend with MixMeister, this could really simplify your life 🙂
Amy says:
An angelic acapella voice. We coach tenacity, consistency and persistence for 1:15 until slight instrumentals enter to support our rpm’s of 75. At 2:08, the guessing is gone and full instrumentals hit in mighty force to take us up the hill. This cover of Bryan Ferry/Tangerine Dream’s “Is Your Love Strong Enough?” is from The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo Soundtrack and is by How to Destroy Angels. You may prefer the original, like John, or the cover like I do. (I like the acapella for a change of pace, although Bryan Ferry is always good). 4:30 of climbing goodness awaits. Enjoy!
John Says:
I agree that this cover is very powerful and could easily see using it in class. I prefer the original version because I instantly loved it the first time I heard it, during the closing credits of the movie Legend. If you haven't seen this cult classic, featuring a very young Tom Cruise and Tim Curry of Rocky Horror fame. it's worth renting 🙂 Bryan Ferry — Is Your Love Strong Enough?
