This Podcast is was last published on Oct 14, 2009, I have updated it with our new Podcast host information and I am representing it now. I hope you enjoy it, Joey
One of the things that most excites me about the potential here at ICI and the technology we are tapping into, is that we have created a platform that allows us to seek out and interview some of the most progressive and experienced people in indoor cycling and bring them to you, our listeners and members. Where else can you hear interviews with the pros on subjects that help you grow as an instructor? (Except at an expensive conference once a year!)
We certainly do not know everything there is to know about indoor cycling, but we know how to seek it out and bring it to you. I have so many mentors I've learned from over the years who I would like to bring into the discussion at ICI. With every new person we interview, you will learn a different style, a different approach, or perhaps a new twist on something you haven't considered.
Today we are speaking with Master Instructor Janet Toussaint from the Boston area.
One of Janet's expertises is teaching endurance. She ran the Spinning program for years at the Boston Athletic Club and not only got the instructors to buy into the concept of teaching a moderate intensity ride, but the large member base as well. Now that is a tough challenge when all they seem to want is high intensity all the time - I am sure many of you are faced with a similar challenge.
In January of 2003 Janet came out to visit me in Vail on a ski vacation with her son JP. When we weren't skiing, I made her teach Spinning at my club! We were in the middle of a base building program at the time so I had her teach an Endurance workshop to my instructors. She had such a positive impact on our instructors and our program and I still use some of her special cues and metaphors that she used to motivate riders.
When you hear Janet's passion, I am sure she will inspire you too!
John and I enjoyed this discussion so much that we decided to go deeper into the subject of endurance and scheduled even more time with Janet. For ICI/PRO members, we will offer two additional podcasts that you will receive in your Super-Secret iTunes feed. The next interview will go more deeply into the essence of teaching an endurance ride. Even more exciting, the second one will be an audio PROfile on Janet's own favorite endurance ride, The Endurance Connection, replete with her all-star cueing, coaching and playlist.
If you have difficulty coming up with motivational things to say in your endurance classes, you won't want to miss any of these podcasts!
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John is a member on the AFS (Association of Fitness Studios) Advisory Council.
Holding certifications from; Schwinn, Heart Zones, Team ICG and Life Time Fitness, John's held regularly scheduled cycling classes between 1998 and 2015 when he moved to Florida.
When the weather permits, you'll find him riding and leading outdoor groups by himself or with his Tandem partner (wife) Amy.
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UN-BELIEVABLE, I have been harping on this very subject for a LOOOOONG time. I don’t have anywhere near the background, experience and knowledge as you but I have always beleived that endurance training was much more important and should be given much more consideration than what is normally done. I am at a typical club that is go-go-go harder-harder-harder and the members (think) they love it. In the classes I coach I am following my beliefs and now seeing this – OUTSTANDING.
I did the survey yesterday and put in a comment that I am more likely to read something before I would listen/view the same material. When I saw this I had to listen, like immediately. Future podcasts with Janet cannot come anytime too soon. I was able to sell the club on the idea that I run a 90 minute class twice a month, geared towards cyclists. This is a periodized training session for the winter months. So I’m sure you understand I am groping for as much info on endurance training and periodization as I can get.
Thank You for this session
Bill
Amazing podcast ,I so believe in periodisation especially the endurance(base building} part of it I have taught at several gyms and it has always been a challenge to get them to understand this way of teaching, especially as you say they pushups on the bike, hover and fast cadence with no resistance,
Anyway now I own my own spinning studio…. it is wonderful I love it, it has been going a year and we are onto our 3rd periodisation training and they love endurance the best
Thanks for the inspiration
can’t wait to hear the next part of the interview.
Sharon
Sharon,
when do you start your base building program? Has it started now? Perhaps we can do an article about your program at your club! I love highlighting successful programs, and it always helps to inspire others. Email me at jennifer@indoorcycleinstructor.com.
Cheers,
Jennifer
Hey guys Just in time this useful information , we just start our season and after two weeks I have some believers already and will start in my class next monday a program of six weeks of endurance ONLY and is so hard to convince them that is the right training but we need your help to be able to sell this ride and also to understand the endurance ride as a instructors to better teach, I have already 4 in 15 bikes I hope with this valuable information things will go better Thanks again
This podcast was excellent. Like you, I would always attend Janet’s sessions at WSSC. Her Endurance rides were amazing. She is fantastic!!!
I am a huge fan of periodization training. As the Group Exercise Coordinator for 2 New York Sports Clubs on Long Island, I try my hardest to run a solid Spinning program. We began our first periodization schedule in September to get our students ready for a Race Day just before Thanksgiving. Many of our members are new to periodization training and the use of heart rate monitors. I am very grateful that I have a strong team of instructors to educate, motivate and train our members. This first round of periodization is only for 8 weeks, ending just before Thanksgiving. The next schedule will be for 12 weeks. One of our instructors took it one step further and had his students come up with their individual goals. I purchased index cards & a box for the members to write their short term and long term goals. They will check it at the end of the periodization schedule to see if their goals have been achieved. Since this is the first time we are attempting periodization, we are only doing this training in certain classes. My experience is to start off slowly and then build the program.
As Spinning Master Instructors, our responsiblity is not only to teach Orientations and Continuing Education, but to work at the club level to inspire both instructors and members. Once we can make a difference at the ground level, then perhaps all the crazy contraindications that plague the indoor cycling world will come to light and, hopefully, disappear.
Thanks so much for your commitment and dedication to excellence.
MJ
Thanks Maryjo!
I’d love to hear how your program progresses. Keep us up to date!
Good to hear from you as always.
Jennifer
I love to prepare the members for race day, too! They all know ENDURANCE is my favorite ‘energy zone.’ The more education we feed the members the benefits of training smart, not hard every time they come to class, the more trust and respect we command as instructors.
Janet’s words flow so peacefully. This was my favorite podcast so far! I have listened to this one at least 5 times! Thank you for bringing such intelligent guests and ideas to your site and sharing them with us who are so eager to continue to learn!
Jade
Janet,
I told the class they were going to do a difficult class, no breaks, no recoveries. They were very excited. I spoke of home base and kept them at 90-95 rpms as we spoke of the pedalstoke and connected with gear and rhythm and control of both. I gave them a warning that they would start to sweat in about 10 more minutes. I trusted their connection and continued to give them exertion cues to work with. They were very quiet, but I continued with the words you suggested. After class so many came asked when I would teach that again, can I do that every week, where else do I teach. Thank you for your guidance. I LOVE teaching endurance and am soooo convinced of it’s benefits.