Here's the promised continuation of my interview with Peter G! If you haven't heard Pt #1 you can find it here.
Peter and I discuss more about creating his ReWeRKs – remixed tracks that are available from Legitmix – along with a bunch of other interesting stuff. You've got to appreciate his passion for Indoor Cycling!
We have a proven history of advancing the careers of smart & talented instructors here at ICI/PRO. Multiple Instructors have gone on to become Master Instructors after their exposure here at www.indoorcycleinstructor.com
I'm fascinated by Instructors who can effectively blend rhythm and movement classes with Power based display training. It's not just me. Premium health clubs like Life Time Fitness and nearly all of the hottest cycling studios are looking for Rockstar Instructors who can present a dynamic and exciting class, that includes elements of proper training.
It will only be a matter of time before the established Indoor Cycling brands will be looking for Master Instructors who can effectively present Rhythm + Movement + Power + Display Training Instructor certifications.
Is that a description of you… or do you know someone?
Beyond his career as an Indoor Cycling Instructor – Peter Gonzalez, AKA Peter G, has created quite a following as a creator of custom remixes designed specifically for Indoor Cycling classes.
I'm a Digital DJ and Indoor Cycling Instructor that creates the Best ReWeRks that ” Stay True ” to the original and are specifically designed for my #djonabike Indoor Cycling classes !
Peter's music is available on Legitmix – we spend part of our time together discussing how Legitmix provides a nice WIN – WIN for artists, labels and DJ's like him.
Listen to part 1 of my interview with Peter G here – here's part 2
I've felt that it was only a matter of time, before one of the mainstream Big Box clubs added an official Rhythm and Movement class offering.
Last month Life Time Fitness introduced AMP Cycle – from this video it appears to be a no-holds-barred, full on party, that will engage the same participants who are drawn to the massively popular studios offering similar class formats. NOTE: I haven't experienced an AMP Cycle class yet, however I plan to ASAP.
https://youtu.be/wRMgT-UZf9U
There were three important points that I found interesting in my interview with Rob Glick (LTF's Senior Director of Group Fitness, Yoga and Cycle). First how Rob placed their three Indoor Cycling offerings along a continuum…
AMP Cycle – Far Left > An entertaining party with a purpose!
EDG Cycle – Center > A nice blend of entertainment and metrics.
PWR Cycle – Far Right > Focused training, with no fluff.
… second – Instructors aren't forced into teaching a class format they either don't like, or aren't comfortable teaching…
… and third – participants enjoy a choice of three different class types.
Listen to the complete interview with Rob Glick below and then share your comments below.
If you're interested in becoming an AMP, EDG or PWR Cycle Instructor with Life Time Fitness, here's the link I promised Rob I'd provide to search for jobs in your area 🙂
AMP Cycle Instructor Job Description
Hey cycle junkie! So, you have an interest in becoming our next artist on the AMP Cycle team? Well, that's awesome and we can't wait to meet you. If you like loud music and choreographed high-energy workouts, AMP is for you!
In AMP we’re all about the beat of the music and the rhythm of our riders. AMP is an addicting, sweaty, party-like workout to challenge your Ambition, Motivation, and Passion. The best part of instructing this class is you get to be you…period. Engage with your audience! Be authentic! After all, class is all about connecting with yourself and the positive energy in the room. If this sounds like you, apply and audition to be an AMP Cycle Instructor at Life Time Indoor Cycle. We offer training, ongoing continuing education, support and resources to help you be a successful instructor. We believe we are stronger together and take pride in supporting our instructors while helping them be the best they can be! Are you ready to join this rapidly growing team? There’s an AMP Cycle class waiting for your encouraging voice and energetic personality. We're so excited to see what you got.
After a meteoric increase in new Indoor Cycling studios and other forms of boutique fitness businesses, it makes sense that a few of them will be sold. I've recently received a number of inquires from studio owners, asking for help selling their business – and I went ahead and posted them. Here's a cycling studio in Magnolia, TX and another studio in Marietta, GA for sale.
Our mission here at ICI/PRO is to provide quality information, for all aspects of Indoor Cycling. Wanting to be helpful, while not having any personal experience selling a fitness business, I did what I always do – I found (and vetted) an expert at brokering fitness businesses.
In this episode of the podcast you can meet fitness business broker Shane Massey. Shane explained to me that there are multiple mistakes studio owners tend to make, when selling their business. We decided to focus on these five that he felt were the most important.
AVOID THESE 5 MISTAKES WHEN SELLING YOUR FITNESS BUSINESS
WITH FITNESS CLUB BUSINESS BROKER, SHANE MASSEY
1. THEY DON’T HAVE A LEGITIMATE REASON FOR SELLING THE BUSINESS
2. THEIR BUSINESS VALUATION / SELLING PRICE IS WRONG
3. THEY DIDN’T PLAN (PROPERLY) FOR THE SALE
4. THEY IGNORED POTENTIAL DEAL KILLERS
5. THEY DIDN’T SEEK PROFESSIONAL ADVICE
Listen to our discussion below.
Shane is prepared to assist an owner, regardless of where you're located. He has agreed to provide an initial consultation at no cost for our readers and listeners.
Looks like a beautiful city. Image from paxgaea.com
Helping prospective Indoor Cycling studio owners with their business planning is part of my Instructor Employment Initiative – encouraging the formation of new studios… which creates more places for Instructors to teach and will (at least I'm hearing) create upwards pressure on class pay rates!
ICI/PRO member Rowan Platel contacted me recently with questions about a future cycling studio he is planning.
Thanks John.
I am looking for as much help and guidance as I can get, so I will let you know my plans and see if you have any words of wisdom (outside of all of the information I will be reading from ICI.
Basically, Indoor cycling centres in Perth WA don't exist yet, but the spinning community is there through fitness centres, and the cycling community is large. My goal is to open an indoor cycling centre that is funky, but very up to date from a technology standpoint, and bringing in the best instructors/coaches I can. I want to give the users the ability to set and exceed their goals through data driven results, combining the best instructors, with the best principles and training methodologies, and the best technology.
There are a few good examples on the east coast of Australia, but none here.
I really want to cater for all indoor cyclists, whether they are “spinners” looking at more fitness goals, or cyclists looking at performance goals.
Absolute key for me is User Experience. I think your website will help a lot there. I want to make this addictive, fun, yet high performance.
Currently, I am looking at Wattbikes and using their group software and user App based software for real-time data.
I suppose what I am asking for is any guidance or thoughts you have on this. If this isn't the right forum to ask this, please feel free to ignore this email.
I am very keen on finalising the tech specs, so I can start to plan a fitout and get cracking!!!
Cheers
Rowan
When time allows, I try to be available for a call to discuss whenever I get well thought out questions from ICI/PRO members. My response:
I've done a fair bit of consulting with new cycling studio owners – often acting as a sounding board to bounce ideas off + I can be helpful by questioning your assumptions, so you don't end up with an empty studio.
Skype sometime?
John
Rowan and I connected via Skype. Turns out that Perth WA is on the exact opposite side of the earth, so my 8:30am was his 8:30pm 🙂 With his permission I recorded our call to share with you!
Listen below or subscribe to our free Podcast with iTunes or Stitcher
During the call I mentioned that we have two excellent Podcasts that deal with the introduction of Power/Technology.
Meet Stephanie (Steph) Cohen – owner of Ride Revolution Cycling Studios in Northvale, NJ!
Steph is a member of our Cycling Studio Owners Advisory Group. In this episode of the Podcast, we discuss some of her most valuable lessons learned from running her successful studio for three years.
Name of Studio: Ride Revolution Cycling Studios, LLC Location of Studio: Northvale, NJ Phone: 201-259-7221 email: Steph@Ride-Revolution.com Owner Name: Steph Cohen Owner Title: Owner Years in Operation: 3 Years Size of studio: 2,000 Sq. Feet Number of members/clients: 2,400 Unique Visitors since opening
If you were advising somebody whose dream is to open a fitness studio — what would be your primary nuggets of advice?
Make sure the financial picture makes sense. The market where you are may not actually be able to hold your initial price per session. What are your earning projections if the price per session is a lower amount than originally offered?
Ensure you have a strong marketing budget. Too many studios forget this part or put it last on their budget list. While you are building your new place you need to begin the online and print advertising so that once you open locals will already recognize your name.
Have a clear mission — the “why” you opened your studio — and have that set the tone for all of your marketing and outreach. Make sure that your employees have the same vision in mind at all times as well.
In addition to having great instructors playing fabulous music, learn your client’s names and remember their unique stories. That is what will make them want to come back again and again.
Be prepared to do EVERYTHING yourself for the first few years. I am the front desk, marketing coordinator, instructor manager AND I wash the towels every few days! No task is too big or too small for the owner to actually do for the studio.
Download all 16 of Steph Cohen's Most Valuable Lessons Learned here – right click > save as.
