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ICI Podcast 359 – Future Studio Owner Consultation Call

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Looks like a beautiful city. Image from

Looks like a beautiful city. Image from paxgaea.com

Helping prospective Indoor Cycling studio owners with their business planning is part of my Instructor Employment Initiative – encouraging the formation of new studios… which creates more places for Instructors to teach and will (at least I'm hearing) create upwards pressure on class pay rates!

ICI/PRO member Rowan Platel contacted me recently with questions about a future cycling studio he is planning.

Thanks John.

I am looking for as much help and guidance as I can get, so I will let you know my plans and see if you have any words of wisdom (outside of all of the information I will be reading from ICI.

Basically, Indoor cycling centres in Perth WA don't exist yet, but the spinning community is there through fitness centres, and the cycling community is large. My goal is to open an indoor cycling centre that is funky, but very up to date from a technology standpoint, and bringing in the best instructors/coaches I can. I want to give the users the ability to set and exceed their goals through data driven results, combining the best instructors, with the best principles and training methodologies, and the best technology.

There are a few good examples on the east coast of Australia, but none here.

I really want to cater for all indoor cyclists, whether they are “spinners” looking at more fitness goals, or cyclists looking at performance goals.

Absolute key for me is User Experience. I think your website will help a lot there. I want to make this addictive, fun, yet high performance.

Currently, I am looking at Wattbikes and using their group software and user App based software for real-time data.

I suppose what I am asking for is any guidance or thoughts you have on this. If this isn't the right forum to ask this, please feel free to ignore this email.

I am very keen on finalising the tech specs, so I can start to plan a fitout and get cracking!!!

Cheers

Rowan

When time allows, I try to be available for a call to discuss whenever I get well thought out questions from ICI/PRO members. My response:

Hi Rowan – exciting to hear about your future project. Are you aware of our Facebook group for studio owners? https://www.facebook.com/groups/CyclingStudios/ You can solicit ideas there.
I've done a fair bit of consulting with new cycling studio owners – often acting as a sounding board to bounce ideas off + I can be helpful by questioning your assumptions, so you don't end up with an empty studio.
Skype sometime?
John

Rowan and I connected via Skype. Turns out that Perth WA is on the exact opposite side of the earth, so my 8:30am was his 8:30pm 🙂 With his permission I recorded our call to share with you!

Listen below or subscribe to our free Podcast with iTunes or Stitcher

During the call I mentioned that we have two excellent Podcasts that deal with the introduction of Power/Technology.

ICI Podcast 239 — Schwinn Master Training Jay Blahnik on introducing Power into your classes Part 1

ICI/PRO Podcast #240 — Schwinn Master Training Jay Blahnik on integrating Power into your classes Part 2

After you've listened to our call, what additional questions would you have asked?

If you're planning a new studio, how would you have answered my questions?

Or would a few of them stumped you?

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Originally posted 2016-08-23 11:11:29.

Should you open your own independent Indoor Cycling or Spinning® studio?

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Facebook Group for Spinning Indoor Cycling studio owners

Click image to join our Facebook Group – everyone encouraged to join!

Part 1:  Are you an entrepreneur?

If it’s done right, a cycling studio can be a profitable and enormously rewarding way to spend your time.  After all, what could be better than treating friends and neighbors to a workout that is helping them live a happier and healthier life?

Free Registration Required to continue — Click Here. Opens in a new tab.

Originally posted 2010-12-04 13:27:15.

Give Participants Ownership with Interactive Drills

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employee_engagementBy Jennifer Lintz, Registered Dietitian and ICI PRO Contributor

A few days ago, I attended one of my colleagues' classes. The ride was top notch from start to finish, but one drill in particular got me thinking.

Towards the middle of class, Lori (the instructor) told us we would be doing a climb. I can't remember exactly how long we were to be in hill mode – it was either 3 or 4 1/2 minutes – but I do remember her instructions for the drill. She told us to lift out of the saddle for 15 seconds three separate times during the climb. The catch? We could decide when. This was an interactive drill. As a participant, it forced me to be present, keep my eye on the clock, and take ownership of the task I had been given.

As an instructor, I immediately felt like I gained a new tool to enhance participant engagement. If one of our goals is to help our students stay present on the bike, why not give them some time in the driver's seat?

Certainly, it might be a bit much to do a class full of drills like the one I just described, but sprinkling in one or two could be a great way to keep students focused. Being in Lori's class got me thinking about other drills that might have a similar impact. Here are two I came up with:

– Flat: 5 minutes. The bulk of the flat should feel moderate in intensity. Work at a hard intensity at least twice for 30 seconds. If, in the last minute of the flat, there is time for one more push, challenge them to fit it in.

-Intervals: 3 minutes. Alternate between high and low intensities for the duration on the drill. The “work” period must be longer than the recovery. Time frames are left up to the students.

-Hill: 3 minutes. Each minute should be more challenging than the previous. The increased intensity can be created by a change in speed or resistance.

Do you have other drill ideas that give participants guidance, but ultimately put them in charge?

My experience as a student reinforced just how beneficial it can be to spend time on the other side of the cycle studio. I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic as well.

Originally posted 2014-07-13 14:14:27.

Non-Authentic Indoor Cycling

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Update from John: This post was originally published in June of last year, shortly before we lost Jim. I thought Jim's wisdom could add to our current conversation about SoulCycle, so I'm re-publishing this today.

By Team ICG® Master Trainer Jim Karanasauthentic-logo

Why would anyone want to do it?  It’s crazy.  What about the bike?  Connecting with it.  Feeling the road.  How can anyone NOT want to feel the road?  Rhythm, timing, breathing.  It’s in our DNA.

It won’t last.  Silly trend.  Dance parties on bikes with music videos can’t last.  You can’t even call it training.  It’s just physical movement, not sure it’s even considered exercise.  It’s totally without direction.

There are some heavy hitters out there who will slam Non-Authentic Indoor Cycling and talk about it with contempt.  Read the blogs and forums.  It’s important to have beliefs — something you stand for that defines you as a professional.

Am I sure?  Absolutely not.  Is Non-Authentic Indoor Cycling bad for Indoor Cycling?  That’s a good question and the topic of this post.

I teach Authentic Indoor Cycling.  I ride bikes outdoors and always seek to bring to my students what the road and trail teach me.  The bike has taught me many lessons that I’ll share with anyone who wants to attend my classes and has the patience to listen to my rhetoric.

Fitness reached a pinnacle with indoor cycling.  Finally, we had a way to communicate fitness concepts that were not based on hype or adrenalin.  Eclectic music.  Quality training.  Depth.  Achievement.  Millions of dollars in revenue!

It wasn’t only about the money, but do you really believe that indoor cycling would be here today if it didn’t make money?  Fitness is a $12.5-billion industry, and indoor cycling helped it get there.  Whatever makes money will drive fitness.

Zumba is a classic example and should be a lesson to everyone.  It’s simple choreography, not unlike what I used to teach as an aerobics instructor back in the ‘80s, with the addition of a little Latin dance and hip-hop.  The instructors don’t even cue.  Yet Zumba is a half-billion-dollar-a-year company.   Which shows you what dazzling branding, marketing, and a single-minded focus on building a culture can do for a fitness program.

Do you think Zumba is a fad?  Not with those revenues.

What about non-authentic indoor cycling?  How about SoulCycle?  It hurts; it really does.  But if you believe that SoulCycle is going to fade away because it’s not authentic, then I believe you’re misguided.  The SoulCycle brand is strong, their marketing is incredibly strong, AND they now have strong financial support after having been purchased by Equinox.

Something else:  they’re building one hell of a culture.  Friends of mine who have never taken my class come up and say with wide-eyed enthusiasm, “Do you know that SoulCycle is coming to San Francisco?”  I ask, “Why would you take a class there when you haven’t yet come to mine?”  No response.

I believe that non-authentic indoor cycling will become a significant trend in the Fitness Industry.  ICG® is an authentic indoor cycling company.  We believe in proper training principles and we all ride bikes, yet we’re not blind.

If non-authentic IC is going to make a mark, why not embrace it for what it is — a way to train on the bike that makes (some) people fit and happy?  Assuming it’s validated as safe and effective (ICG has already contacted the American Council on Exercise and proposed a study), then shouldn't every indoor cycling education body offer a program on how to teach non-authentic indoor cycling?  Why shouldn’t any and every indoor cycling program be taught by those who are truly qualified to teach indoor cycling?  That would be the likes of us.  We know indoor cycling best.  We could create a program — inauthentic fluff, if you will — that’s still authentic in its safety, structure and cardiovascular benefit.  Why not?

It need not (and would not) diminish our authentic style of teaching, and it just might make all of us some money.

 

Originally posted 2014-10-23 04:51:49.

ICI Podcast 325 – They raised $30,011.00 for their studio expansion using Indiegogo

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Kickstarter or Indiegogo funding for an Indoor Cycling Studio

You can add Cycling Studio Owner Nairi Petrosian to the list of Smart & Talented people involved in Indoor Cycling – listen to this interview and you'll know why. Nairi and her business partner Kirsty Baldwin successfully raised $30,011.00 with an Indiegogo crowdsourcing campaign that closed August 29th of this year. They're using the money to build out a new, larger Revolutions Cycling Studio and purchase an additional 10 Indoor Cycles to add to their original 13.

It looks really easy; you create a Kickstarter or Indiegogo campaign and wait a few days for the money to roll in.

Yeah, right… it doesn't work that way. It takes a lot of hard work and it sounds as if Nairi and Kristy earned every cent of it. Listen to my interview with Nairi to learn some of the challenges they faced and why they feel they were successful.

 

Here's their professional video – they felt it was instrumental in the success of their campaign.

Please respect Nairi's time and don't contact her with a bunch of questions unless you're willing to hire her and compensate her for her time.

 

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Originally posted 2014-09-06 18:44:07.

Survey Says – Star Trac Spinner® Blade Ion

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Star Trac Spinner® Blade Ion Survey Review

The Star Trac Spinner® Blade Ion is the latest Indoor Cycle with power to hit the market. The Blade Ion boasts strain-gauge technology and a cool blue light emanating from the flywheel hub that doubles as a battery charger.

There are only of handful of studios riding Ions and we only had responses from 14 Instructors.

I'm sticking with the same format we're using with each of these Indoor Cycle surveys – click here for the list.

  1. Satisfaction while riding your cycles.
  2. Using the Power Meter in class.
  3. Accuracy / consistency in power displayed.
  4. Would you recommend this Indoor Cycle to others?

First up, how do instructors like riding the Star Trac Spinner® Blade Ion

Spinner® Blade Ion ride review

How about using the power meter?

Spinner® Blade Ion power meter survey review

If your responses are included here, I'd be interested to know more about the Heart Rate strap issues. Is this a difficulty pairing (connecting) the HR strap? Or something different like cross talking or a loss of connection?

Every Instructor I know is interested in the accuracy of wattage displayed and consistency between cycles.

Spinner® Blade Ion power meter accuracy - consistency

All though this was a very small sample – the lack of accuracy / consistency does square with private conversations I've had with with multiple Instructors and studio owners. I'm aware that Star Trac has been trying to sort this problem and hopefully they will have it corrected soon. 

Would they recommend it?

Spinner® Blade Ion NPS

 

 

Originally posted 2014-02-22 14:28:45.

ICI Podcast 0005b – Zack’s Popcycle Ride

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ICI/PRO member Zack, a Cycling Fusion Master Instructor and routine contributor to The Weekly Ride on ICI/PRO, delivers a ride. THIS IS THE COMBINED FILE THAT INCLUDES THE MUSIC AND THE VOICE. IT IS NOT AVAILABLE ON ITUNES.

“I am very excited to be releasing an audio version with my ride this week. You get to really feel how i intended the song to be felt then. Notice the shorter than usual notes this week to really make you listen to the delivery. As always my rides can suit all riders and ill be sure to highlight that verbally. So listen up and enjoy!” Zack

Find the file here:

 

APPLE MUSIC PLAYLIST

SPOTIFY MUSIC PLAYLIST

SUMMARY PDF (Full PDF available to members)

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Originally posted 2018-04-12 21:11:48.

ICI Podcast 295 – What’s the secret to Orange County’s Top Indoor Cycling Studio?

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Karen Casler teaching at the "Barn"

Karen Casler teaching at the “Barn”

CB Cyclebarn was recently voted the top Indoor Cycling studio in Orange County, CA.

The “Barn” as it's affectionately known, is run by first time business owner / Instructor Karen Casler. Karen shares with us a number of the secrets of her success in the interview below:

  1. Her total focus on customer service.
  2. Using technology effectively.
  3. Offering a diverse mix of classes to reach the broadest audience.
  4. Recruiting and retaining instructors.
  5. Some Instructors don't fit – what to do next…
  6. Not all customers fit either…

Studio details:

CB Cyclebarn 372 Camino de Estrella San Clemente, CA 92672

(949)303-3112  Email: karen@cbcyclebarn.com

Indoor Cycles: FreeMotion S11.9 with Carbon belt drive

In class display system of rider performance metrics: Performance IQ 

 

Listen to Karen's interview below or subscribe to our free podcast in iTunes and have every new episode delivered straight to your portable device.

Studio Owner — or potential studio owner? Get connected here.

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Originally posted 2014-01-23 10:37:00.

ICI Podcast 88 Start Your Own Indoor Cycling Studio Bill Pryor from Spynergy Consulting can help.

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Facebook Group for Spinning Indoor Cycling studio owners
Click image to join our Facebook Group – everyone encouraged to join!

This Podcast is was last published on Feb 23, 2010, I have updated it with our new Podcast host information and I am representing it now. I hope you enjoy it, Joey

As promised last week, here's my interview with Bill Pryor about his experiences starting his own Spinning Indoor Cycling Studio.

2014 UPDATE: This interview has launched multiple dozens of new Indoor Cycling Studios – is yours next?

The online payment and business management service we discuss is MindBody Online combined with a LiveEdit Integrated Website.

You can listen to us here:
iTunes:
Spotify:
Stitcher:
Google Play:
RadioPublic:
Pocket Casts:
PodBean:
TuneIn:

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Originally posted 2019-06-29 08:00:05.

ICI Podcast 126 JoyRide Indoor Cycling Studio Owner Lorie Bickford From Salem Oregon

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What would it be like to open your own Indoor Cycling Studio? Spinning Indoor Cycling Studio JoyRide Cycling in Salem Oregon

I thought you may be interested to know, so I asked Lorie Bickford to tell us about the process of creating (along with her husband Jeff) JoyRide Indoor Cycling Studio in Salem Oregon. We discuss her initial vision, how she found space, how she decided on Schwinn AC Sport Indoor Cycles, working with her new neighbors and how she is promoting her new business to the local Salem community. Bill Pryor and I have been helping Lorie and Jeff with business planning and online marketing of her Indoor Cycling Studio.

This Free Podcast is provided to you through a sponsorship from CyclingFusion.com

Listen to the Podcast below or subscribe for free using

Information about our lost Podcast episodes is here ICI Podcast — The Lost Episodes

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Originally posted 2010-11-16 07:42:56.

ICI Podcast 312 – Cycling Studio Post-Mortem

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Charles (Spook) Hilgartner teaching his class at InSync Cycle

Charles (Spook) Hilgartner teaching his class at InSync Cycle

It began as the dream of many Instructors – starting your own fitness business. Charles (Spook) Hilgartner made his dream real by opening the first dedicated indoor cycling studio in the Baltimore Metropolitan area. It was very sad to hear that InSync Cycle Studio closed.

Spooks final note from their website…

On a personal note:
For the past three years, I have enjoyed the challenge of creating and operating InSync. I have had the pleasure and privilege of meeting and greeting hundreds of riders and making some special friends.This, I will really miss.

But what happened in the studio, during class was really incredible. We have had the best instructors! Their teaching skills and unique styles, music and personalities created an amazing cycling environment that all of us have enjoyed. I thank them for that.

It’s the combination, of instructors and dedicated riders, that has made InSync Cycle Studio a pretty good place to ride.

Facebook Group for Spinning Indoor Cycling studio owners
Some of Spook's Instructors created this very touching video as a good-by.


I've known Spook since before InSync and appreciated his agreement to be interviewed on the Podcast. Our intent is to help other existing (and potential) cycling studio owners. We discuss his thoughts and feelings about what he did right… and what he did wrong.

Two main points surfaced during our conversation:

  1. Spook's experiences reinforced the absolute importance of having quality Instructors + a bench of available substitutes.
  2. He feels he would have benefited by having a partner with complimentary skills to his.

I wasn't previously aware of this regulatory issue > Depending on your studio's pricing model, your state or city may require you to secure bonding to protect customers who purchase ride cards with future expiration dates. Spook explains this need for bonding during the interview.

Looking for a used studio sound system? You can contact Spook  444-722-5433 or Spook@indoorcycleinstructor.com

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Originally posted 2017-10-31 09:00:42.

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