Congratulations to ICI/PRO contributor Dennis Mellon who was recently hired by Stages Indoor Cycling as a Master Educator!
I love helping Smart / Talented people become successful and in this episode of the Podcast Cameron Chinatti, Stages Indoor Cycling's Education Director, explains why she choose Dennis to become the latest addition to their Master Educator team.
Interested in Dennis to come to your facility and train you in the effective use of Power in an Indoor Cycle class? You can contact Stages here.
During the introduction, I sheepishly remember that last week marked the 6th anniversary of the Indoor Cycle Instructor Podcast! Just once I'm hoping to realise another year has gone by, in time to make a bigger deal out of it 🙁
I was serious about what I say near the end of our interview. If you feel you have the “Right Stuff” to be a Master Instructor for a major brand or would just like to raise your stature an/or authority in our industry, please contact me. Dennis joins a list of multiple people like; Tom Scotto, Doug Rusho, Chuck Cali and others who have advanced their careers through their involvement here at ICI/PRO.
Have you ever considered giving up control of your class music to a DJ? I'm thinking it would be scary for some of us, those who enjoy the predictability of knowing exactly what track is next on their playlist.
Instructor Timothy Brumm says that fear can also be exciting and it will really challenge your improvisational skills as an Indoor Cycling Instructor!
Tim teaches at the Life Time Fitness in Boca Raton, Florida, where he's taught multiple special event classes with the assistance of a DJ. Seeing this as a trend, I looked for someone with experience and posted a request on Facebook. Tim responded and was nice enough to share his insights and experiences on successfully leading Indoor Cycling classes, where a DJ is providing the music.
If you've ever had an idea for a new, fitness related product or service? Dream about building a company around your new widget and then selling your company to a larger company? If that sounds like you, you'll want to listen to this interview with fitness entrepreneur Sara Shears. Sara invented the Ugi ball to help her personal training clients train more frequently. After years of effort, she was able to sell her company Ugifit to Mad Dogg Athletics.
Rather than trying to explain Ugi to you – watch this short video to see it in action.
http://youtu.be/GxkBlo44XPA
Listen to Sara explain some of here entrepreneurial journey below.
I met with Sara at WSSC and took one of her 30 minute classes. It kicked my ass and the whole time I was suffering through Sara's class, I kept thinking how Ugi could be the perfect strength and balance compliment to a small boutique's cycling class.
Interested in training to teach Ugi classes? Here's the link to their website where you can find a certification training near you – or how to host a training at your club or studio. I'd love to know what you think about Ugi…
As fitness professionals, many of us find it is exciting when a member asks us for fitness related advice… but are you making the proper recommendations?
Do you really understand what she/he is asking?
Do you have enough information to respond in a way that will be motivating?
Or do you have the tendency to just launch into a long response, hoping that some of it sticks?
As a long-time sales guy, I've tried to learn the importance of asking the right questions, before offering a solution. Actually it's often a series of questions, before I'll consider responding. Last fall I talked about a total fail I had early in my career, when I tried to empress a potential customer with all my product knowledge, in this post.
Now that I finally have a device (my new iPad) to download ebooks, I'm putting it to good use. My latest read is The Psychology Behind Fitness Motivation: A Revolutionary New Program to Lose Weight and Stay Fit for Life by Health Psychologist Dr. Kim Chronister. In the book Dr. Kim describes the concept of a Motivational Interview – which sounds exactly like what I suggest you use, whenever you've been asked for help or advice from a member.
Motivational Interviewing for Exercise Motivation
An optimal technique that is supported by the research for exercise motivation is motivational interviewing (MI). When you are seeking the motivation to gain results (for a better body, sharper mind, etc. from regular exercise) motivational interviewing falls into the “what you need” category to get you “what you want”…results.
MI has been shown to be enhanced when MI is combined with other effective treatment methods such as cognitive behavioral therapy (which was discussed in the previous chapter). The technique of motivational interviewing can be used to improve a person’s motivation to change and it can be effective in facilitating behavioral change.
In a clinical setting, motivational interviewing is used by a therapist or other mental health or medical professional to help promote positive change in a client’s behavior. MI exercises are designed to help people recognize the need for changes in their behavior. As a first exercise, let’s say a motivational interviewer (i.e. psychologists, nurses, social workers, medical practitioners, physiotherapists, and dietitians) is meeting with a client trying to lose weight to alleviate chronic health problems. The motivational interviewer would emphasize the importance of the change, current information about why the client should make the alteration in his/her lifestyle, including many benefits. The motivational interviewer would then provide the steps and action plan to make these lifestyle changes. At the end of this chapter, you will be given tools based on the technique of motivational interviewing to help you in your personal fitness goals.
Near the end of the interview, Dr. Kim and I discuss her thoughts about a question I had; should Instructors take an active role in sales and marketing, especially Instructors who teach at a small studio?
What do you think? Should (or would) you be willing to sell/market/promote your studio's services to your participants? I'm not referring to you simply reading a few announcements before the start of class here. I mean communicating with members with the purpose of building rapport, suggesting upgrades, encouraging purchases, recruiting new participants… you know, selling what your studio has to offer.
Would you do that if you were rewarded financially?
Master Trainer Cameron Chinatti from Stages Indoor Cycling joins me to offer suggestions on how you can solicit constructive feedback… and then what to do with it once you receive it.
Cameron's handout begins:
Dear _____________________________________________
As a fitness professional, I take every opportunity to improve my craft to better serve each and every one of you. In addition to the time and resources that I voluntarily dedicate to learning new exercise formats and methodologies, I also strive to improve myself.
My current self-growth project is entirely dedicated to being an effective “cue-municator”. I recently completed a cutting-edge indoor cycling course and one of my assignments is to fully understand and embody my strengths – not only as an instructor, but also as a person. If you are willing, please share your helpful, honest feedback.
[wlm_nonmember]
Cameron's handout is reserved for ICI/PRO members. We offer monthly and annual subscription options:
As the fonder of multiple fitness programs for Moms; Stroller Strides®, Body Back® and Fit4Baby® – Lisa Druxman knows all about creating a Tribe of people passionate about a fitness business.
Lisa Druxman created Stroller Strides in 2001 after the birth of her baby. With over 1,300 locations nationwide, it offers moms an opportunity to get in shape, meet other moms and have fun with their baby. Since then, we have released Fit4Baby, our prenatal fitness class and Body Back, our workout for any stage of motherhood. All of our programs give women the “Strength for Motherhood” and together create FIT4MOM.
Helping YOU to make strides in fitness, motherhood, and life! ®
Our Values:
We will help moms achieve their ultimate potential, both physically and emotionally.
We will offer support and education for moms.
We will inspire moms to reach optimal health and well being.
We will inspire children to emulate their moms and make fitness a part of their lives.
During the interview Lisa and I discuss the importance of Starting With Why – it's what your Tribe will connect to, Here's a presentation from author Simon Sinek where he explains the process of finding your Why!
