by Christine Hawthorne | Apr 24, 2017 | Music
This week's favorite track (Hey Ya by Outkast) can be used as a seated flat road or a climb. It's around 80 beats per minute, so depending on how much gear you're riding with, you can really take it either way. I especially like songs like this to do what I call ‘gear play'. With ‘gear play', we ride at the same RPM's the entire time, but we add and take off gear through the song. This song is around 4 minutes, so I would ask my riders to find a flat road gear at 80 rpm's for 30 seconds, then add gear so they feel like they are on a hill for 40 seconds. Repeat this sequence 4 times, keeping a smooth pedal stroke. I'm posting two versions of the song, one radio/club mix and the other instrumental:
Hey Ya!-Radio Mix/Club Mix iTunes Link
Hey Ya! Instrumental iTunes Link
Originally posted 2016-06-03 06:18:47.
by Christine Hawthorne | Apr 22, 2017 | Instructor Training, KEEPING IT FUN, Music
There's nothing like a good steady beat to get your legs spinning and these two songs will give you and your riders what they need when the going gets tough.
Shawn Mendes recently released the Deluxe version of his album Illuminate and I revisited this tune as a climb at 62 RPM. It might also work great with accelerations or sprints on the chorus.
There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back by Sean Mendes iTunes Link
And brand new off of the release radar is the Tujamo Remix of Light My Body Up (feat. Nick Minaj & Lil Wayne) by David Guetta. It's much faster than the original version (around 66 RPM) so lends itself to a faster climb in or out of the saddle.
The original (see below) would make a great seated climb!
Light My Body Up (feat. Nicki Manaj & Lil Wayne) Tujamo Remix by David Guetta iTunes link
Light My Body Up (feat. Nicki Minaj & Lil Wayne) by David Guetta iTunes link
I hope you enjoy all three songs! Have a favorite new release? Share in the comments or just let us know how you used these songs in your profile. 🙂
by Christine Hawthorne | Apr 15, 2017 | Instructor Training, Music
Take your pick from this playlist of “Grand Finale” songs to end your class with a bang. All are high energy and will require your riders to move way beyond their comfort zone to the big finish. Whether you choose to end with sprints or a climb, any of these songs will provide the motivation to push your riders above and beyond.
Krosah by E.S. Posthumus iTunes link
Sabra Dance by David Garrett iTunes Link
Breathe by The Prodigy iTunes Link
Indestructible by Disturbed iTunes link
by Christine Hawthorne | Apr 8, 2017 | Instructor Training, Music
Try these remixes in your next class and your class will be pumping.
Scared To Be Lonely (LOOPERS Remix), at around 65 rpm can work as a seated or standing climb. Listen for a slowdown from 1:47-2:18-a great opportunity to throw in some cueing.
Scared To Be Lonely (LOOPERS Remix) by Martin Garrix, Dua Lipa, Loopers iTunes Link
If this remix isn't your favorite, there are plenty more to chose from in these two volumes:
Scared To Be Lonely Remixes Volume 1
Scared To Be Lonely Remixes Volume 2
by Christine Hawthorne | Apr 1, 2017 | Instructor Training, KEEPING IT FUN, Music
Whether you are looking for a climb or a flat road for your next class, you'll find both of them here. Check out these two new releases that are ready to be added to your next ride profile.
The first is a new release from one of my favorites, ZZ Ward. She has some great stuff that I continue to rotate into my profiles such as Put The Gun Down, Move Like You Stole It, 365 Days, If I Could be Her and Blue Eyes Blind. At 95 rpm, we will be riding on a nice steady flat road to this one:
Help Me Mama by ZZ Ward iTunes link
This new track is from Cold War Kid's forthcoming album LA Divine. It's a slow, steady seated or standing (or alternating) climb just above 60 rpm.
Restless by Cold War Kids iTunes link
