Have you ever considered taking a Cycling Vacation to Europe? Maybe to France or Italy where you could experience the roads and climbs you have seen at the Tour de France or Giro d'Italia.
Amy and I have dreamed about a trip like that… but then quickly dismissed it as fantasy as soon as we start thinking about the costs and details.
But the dream remains for us 🙂
You maybe aware that Amy and I travel to the Caribbean every year on what's called a working fitness vacation. We trade our services (teaching fitness classes) in exchange for an All -Inclusive vacation at some very nice resorts in Jamaica or Mexico.
I've always wondered if there would be a way to create a similar program for Indoor Cycling Instructors wanting to take a Cycling Vacation. Most of us have large networks of friends and students, many who are cyclists…
After watching the video Tom Scotto and Gene Nacey made on their trip to Spain I decided to pursue this further. I contacted Lauren Hefferon with Ciclismo Classico, the tour operator that coordinated Gene and Tom's trip. Lauren was very open to the idea of an Instructor program, but then she started asking me a lot of questions I couldn't answer. She suggested that I conduct a survey of listeners and readers to see if this would be of interest to you.
So here is our question:
With the proper incentives and resources, could you recruit a group of cyclists, train them this winter and then ride with them on a cycling vacation in Europe next Spring?
Please listen to the Podcast interview below and then
Soon to be “Dr.” Melissa Marotta joins me to discuss the findings of a study she created:
Are There Psychological Effects of Heart Rate Monitor Use During Exercise?
Background
Biofeedback, the process through which individuals learn to direct their physiological responses by being presented with precise, rapid measurements of heart rate, body temperature, and even neural and muscle firing patterns and being taught to link these changes with their thoughts, emotions and behavior, is consistently supported in the medical literature for the treatment of anxiety, depression, migraine, cognitive and attention disorders, sleep disorders, and other conditions. Through biofeedback, people are taught that they can control their physiological states via diaphragmatic breathing and other mechanisms, and learn how to do so through self-correction.
This is the same concept that coaches and trainers use to teach athletes to direct their heart rates during training.
It stands to reason, therefore, that use of a heart rate monitor during exercise may achieve similar results to the heart rate component of biofeedback.
The present study seeks to explore:
1 ) Are there psychological effects of heart rate training — both that relate to exercise, and that apply to non-exercise(specifically relating to self-concept, self-confidence, and coping mechanisms)?
2 ) Are there specific ways that coaches and trainers can incorporate cuing language to reflect the potential psychological benefits of heart rate training?
I feel this information will be be of value to anyone wanting to improve the percentage of Heart Rate monitor usage in their classes.
As simple as it sounds, a simple nametag can help make you more approachable at your club or studio. In this episode Scott Ginsberg (the nametag guy) describes how being more approachable will cause people to more easily engage with you, which in turn can lead to a higher level of commitment that has them returning to your class over and over again!
Isn't that exactly what we all want?
Listen to the Podcast below or subscribe for free using
Based on her unbroken string of last place finishes, Sally Edwards is the absolute worst Triathlete in America. But Sally has a good reason for coming in last… it's so no one else has to.
Listen as she describes her involvement in Danskins and Trek Womens Triathlons and she has a challenge for all of our female listeners; grab a girl friend and commit to training and competing in your first Tri.
Sally also has a fantastic opportunity for those of you interested in taking the step to becoming a Heart Zones Triathlon Coach.
Listen to the Podcast below or subscribe for free using
Do you have a practiced introduction that you deliver at the beginning of every class? When Amy and I first met Kenji Freedman he impressed us as an Instructor the minute he started his class.
USA Elite Cycling Coach Kenji has all the qualifications necessary to help you improve your craft as a Spinning Indoor Cycling Instructor – Kenji prefers Coach – because that's really want we are 🙂
This is a shortened version of the complete interview I did with Kenji. ICI/PRO members can access Podcast #144 which includes the complete interview where we discuss how he see all of our roles as a Coach, Indoors and Out.
Listen to the Podcast below or subscribe for free using
IDEA contributer & Editor Alexandra Williams MA from funandfit.org has done substantial research on the subject of music licensing and the changes that are occuring in different areas around the world. After reading her very comprehensive article; Music Licensing Mayhem: How will fees affect you? in the latest IDEA Fitness Journal, I invited Alexandra to respond to questions from readers, along with a few of my own in this episode of the Indoor Cycle Instructor Podcast.
Have you ever considered taking a Cycling Vacation to Europe? Maybe to France or Italy where you could experience the roads and climbs you have seen at the Tour de France or Giro d'Italia.
