DJ Scott Melker playing the Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Golden, CO
As many of you know I've worn many hats in the fitness industry, I've been an Assistant General Manager, Operations Manager, Fitness Director, Triathlon Coach, Master Swim Team Coach, Master Educator, Personal Trainer, Group Exercise and Indoor Cycling Instructor. Throughout my almost 25 years in this customer service industry I have heard many member comments, complaints and compliments. Through these years I have grown a thick skin but the one comment that still cuts the deepest is when I hear that someone complains about my music. Being an indoor cycling instructor has, forever, changed the way I listen to all music. Music is now put into two categories; will this song work in class or not. I'm on a never ending search for the perfect indoor cycling song. This search reminds me of the story of Sisyphus from Greek mythology. He was punished for chronic deceitfulness by being compelled to roll an immense boulder up a hill, only to watch it roll back down, and to repeat this action forever. After I find the “perfect” indoor cycling song I feel I'm on the same journey at Sisyphus. I find the song, listen to it, probably 20 times, find all the beat and energy changes, figure out a profile for it, listen to it another 20 times imagining my profile being used with the song, use it in a class, make changes, use it again in a class, perfect it, then when I finally push this boulder to the top of the hill and have produced the perfect mix of music, movement, rhythm and riding it's time to start this process all over again because riders are getting tired of this “perfect” song.
Around the same time John and Scott announced their “ICI/Pro DJ Scott Melker Music Playlist Contest” I was in a state of the dreaded “profile writers block” and I was told that a club member had commented about the lack of variety in my music. Yes, at first I was offended, but then I thought maybe the announcement of this contest and these negative comments were a sign. I decided to take on the challenge of using Scott's playlist and building the best profile I could. This project was extremely challenging for me, I'm usually a profile first music second type of class builder, this forced me to swap my way of thinking. Scott's playlist included some songs that I never imagined playing in an indoor cycling class, when I first heard them I immediately put them in the song category of “will not work in a class”, but I was being forced to use them so I had to figure out how to make them work. After countless hours of listening to Scott's playlist and tweaking my profile, I believe I have come up with a class that uses the artistry and energy of a playlist put together by one of the world's top DJs, while staying true to my scientifically proven teaching methods.
I hope you find this class profile both fun and effective, my class sure did.
I challenge you to step out of your comfort zone and create your own profile for this contest.
Scott Melker's Playlist, to download Right Click > Save As / Save Target As to download. Open in iTunes and then you'll see this in your Spotify Local File folder.
In this article, Dr. Haley Perlus discusses how to use KISS (kiss-keep-it-simple-and-specific) principles in your class communication. Here is a great example of KISS in practice. I took this picture at a class taught by our very own Master Instructor Jennifer Sage 🙂
The TRX Suspension Trainer and Indoor Cycling look like they were meant for each other. Check out this video from Instructor – Personal Trainer Pam Leno where she demonstrates the Cycling/Strength fusion class she calls: Buff, Bike & Balance!
Barbara Hoots and I discuss how you can grow your Indoor Cycling classes using the same techniques she has successfully used to grow her own Spinning classes.
SIX WAYS TO GROW YOUR CYCLING CLASS
1. Create an Ambiance which allows students to disappear from the real world. Paint the walls dark, add mood lighting to enhance the mind body connection, LED candles, draped fabric along the walls for sound absorption, etc.
2. Treat your class (and students) as if they were coming to your home for a dinner party.
Use warm lighting, background music playing, perfect air temperature, clean, clutter-free environment, instructor first to arrive to greet students as they enter, make introductions so everyone feels welcome, etc.
3. Pass out Free Multi-Class Passes and brochures describing the musical styles of various instructors at your facility. The rule in our gym: As long as there is an empty bike, there is room for friend. Bring friends. Create a vortex of energy using people who are excited about the class and like each other. Students should have passes to give out to their friends and relatives. A brochure describing the class and a brief description of each instructor's musical style, students will FIND the class they connect best with. For example, I play alternative, progressive tribal, trance. Another instructor may use Big Hair Bands from the 80's and hip-hop. A third could use dance diva's and top 40. Music is the first judgment made about your class. Don't lose members over music – provide knowledge beforehand so everyone can enjoy the ride.
4. Donate charity rides for fundraisers in your community.
Find a local charity benefit (Cancer, schools, etc.) and donate a private indoor cycling ride for 50 (or the limit of bikes you have). A silent auction bid will usually generate interest, as it can be marketed as a group ride to celebrate the end of a cycling/sports team season or even a birthday party! Provide iced cold adult beverages after the ride and photos. Follow up with a press release in your local newspaper as a fundraiser for (name of organization). Charity rides work best on Thursday or Friday evenings.
5. KNOW your audience. While as an instructor your must be passionate about your music, yet be aware of your audience. If you have some young guys who are ripped animals, use mixes of Nine Inch Nails or heavy beats by Crystal Method. Any instructor who has students that arrive to class wearing their iPod means simply put, “Your music is awful.” NEVER criticize the student….it's your job to connect to the class via music.
6. Reward your students. After completing 6 classes, students receive a black Spinning sticker to place on their bumper. It's not only a sign of pride, but great advertising as well.
and always say thank you. Remember, respect the time of your students – they are busy people and should never wait on you. As in instructor, you are the first to arrive and the last to leave. Make your room warm, inviting, nonjudgmental, and watch your classes soar.
I have always been a fan of cycling videos in my Indoor Cycling classes. I tend to do a fair amount of my low zone work inside, even during the summer months, on various indoor bikes or trainers and I totally love the distraction. Bike-O-Vision was a fresh new take for me in that the videos do not have cyclists or any type of dashboard. This is truly just eye candy to get your mind off of the hours of work that you have ahead. The creative inspiration of Jan Hunter is evident in the videos that he produces and they have over 71 titles.
Additionally, Bike-O-Vision has recently release their streaming service on Vimeo which is an amazing way to try their products and always have fresh scenary on hand.
