I had forgotten how challenging it is to teach a completely naked Indoor Cycling class!
I'm in Jamaica with Amy this week, teaching at Couples Tower Isle on a working fitness vacation. Jamaica is well know for sun, rum, Red Stripe beer, the clear blue ocean and a very carefree lifestyle. Jamaicans use the word Irie to describe the constant state of bliss you experience on this beautiful island.
My week-long teaching gig has me scheduled for two classes a day; 9:00am and 5:00pm and that presents a unique set of challenges for me:
- NO TECHNOLOGY - beyond a somewhat weak sound system, I've got nothing additional to work with here; no video, power meters, cadence... nothing.
- NO BLUETOOTH - I had no idea how dependent I had become on the Bluetooth receiver I use with my iPhone.
- NO REGULARS - Each class had a least one guest who had never experienced an indoor class.
- NO BIKE SHORTS - My classes typically involve a lot of Saddle Endurance. I needed to modify and give everyone plenty of time off the seat as no one (but me) had anything remotely resembling padded shorts.
It's actually been very refreshing to teach like we all did 10 years ago 🙂 Once I accepted the limitations I was working with, I went back to the basics of; terrain, cadence, intensity and imagery and we had a great time each class.
And yes, everyone was wearing clothes - what were you thinking I meant by naked?
Originally posted 2012-03-02 08:24:01.
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.
- ICI Podcast 238 Meet Nerd Fitness Creator Steve Kamb - April 6, 2024
- ICI/PRO Podcast #113 Explosive Power pt 3 – Video PROfile with Tom Scotto from Stage 5 Cycling - March 31, 2024
- Spinning RideBook of class profiles - March 28, 2024
And so John,
Now back in the states, do you think Indoor Cycling 2.0 is the norm here or is most of the US still doing it like Jamaica mon?
I look forward to your thoughts.