by Christine Hawthorne | Mar 25, 2017 | Instructor Training, Music
Your riders will definitely appreciate the way this song starts out slowly and then builds into a steady climb. At first listen, you may not think this song would fit in a cycling class, but once you've tried it, you'll want to go back to it again and again. It's Green Light from Lorde's upcoming album Melodrama (expected to be released on June 16) and I first caught it when she performed it live on SNL a few weeks ago.
There are a few different ways you may want to use this one. It starts slow and picks up a beat at :49. I recently used it after a particularly hard sprint, so we took the first 49 seconds as a recovery before a steady (65 rpm) standing climb. If you aren't needing that recovery, you can ask riders to climb in the saddle for the first 49 seconds and then bring them to a standing climb once the beat picks up, or keep them in the saddle to climb the entire song. You have quite a few options here but any way you choose, I'm sure you and your class will love this one!
Green Light by Lorde iTunes link
by Christine Hawthorne | Mar 17, 2017 | Instructor Training, Music
Sometimes all you need is 3 minutes of work to get your class off on the right foot. Use this song early on in your class to motivate your riders and set the tone for the rest of your profile. With it's steady beat and fun lyrics, you're sure to elicit some smiles as well. At around 69 rpm, this faster climb will work well either seated, standing or alternating between the two.
I Think I Like It by Mary Jane Fonda iTunes link
by Christine Hawthorne | Mar 10, 2017 | Instructor Training, Music
If you're looking for a fast, flat road song with upbeat lyrics and a fresh new sound, look no further. Here's one that just dropped today from New Politics that has a running time of just over 4 minutes. This anthem- type song will have your riders pedaling at around 100 rpm. It would also make a perfect warm-up song.
One of Us by New Politics iTunes link
If you like their sound, you might also like this one (climb, 67 rpm):
Harlem by New Politics iTunes link
by Christine Hawthorne | Mar 4, 2017 | Instructor Training, Music
Ed Sheeran's album Divide has finally dropped! Hopefully you've enjoyed using Shape of You and Castle on The Hill (which both dropped earlier this year). Here are a few of the new tunes from the album and how you can use them in your classes!
Here are a few that would work great for a flat road:
Barcelona (around 100 rpm):
Barcelona iTunes link
Nancy Mulligan (around 103 rpm)-also a good one to save for your St. Patrick's Day playlist:
Nancy Mulligan iTunes Link
This one would make a great hill standing or seated (63 rpm):
Bibia Be Ye Ye iTunes link
And finally, a few ideas for your cool down/stretch:
Dive iTunes link
Perfect iTunes Link
by Christine Hawthorne | Feb 24, 2017 | Instructor Training, Music
When you're reaching the end of your class and your riders look like their losing their motivation, throw this song their way and they are sure to gain their second wind. You and your riders will love the amazing beat that trails in and out as the song progresses. (67 rpm) To use these teaching notes, make sure you are using the original version which clocks in at 6 minutes and 26 seconds. Here's the rundown:
:00 seated flat/ :30 standing climb, add gear every 15 seconds / 1:30 seated flat (recover) / 2:00 standing climb, add gear every 15 seconds / 3:00 seated flat (recover) / 3:30 standing climb, add gear every 15 seconds / 4:30 seated flat (recover)/ 5:00 standing climb, add gear every 15 seconds.
On your standing climb sets, start out on a moderate hill and and gear every 15 seconds until the final 15 is a very steep hill.
iTunes link On The Drums (Original Mix)
You could also use the remix with the same teaching notes- it has a bit of a different sound but is around the same length:
iTunes link On The Drums remix
