One of my goals for 2013 is to have a majority of my participants riding to the beat of my music. Not an easy task with the number of riders I teach that can't seem to hear the beat of the music - or are simply ignoring it.
Now I know that you may have been taught that it's not always the dominate beat that you should follow and match with your pedals. You're supposed to hear some subtle rhythm hiding in the music and follow it where ever it takes you.
Sorry, I don't (and never did) buy it - or at least I've never been able to hear these magical under tones and follow them. I (and most of the men in your class) need a strong beat if you expect us to follow it.
So let's give them something easy to follow. A beat that you can't ignore and has your head swinging from side to side.
That would be a Waltz... as in One-Two_Three / One-Two-Three / One-Two-Three / One-Two-Three / Right-Two-Three / Left-Two-Three / Right-Two-Three / Left-Two-Three
Like this one from your youth.
Amy's working on an audio version of this concept. I call her the Human Metronome and believe me, when we dance together, she leads. She has a very fun way to present this in your class that will have your (and my) participants learning to follow the intended cadence RPM that you designed into your class. Podcast #246 featuring Amy is now available.
But for now I wanted to give you some suggestions that you can add to a playlist
ICI/PRO Learn to Ride to the Beat Spotify playlist with 48 tracks that are in either 3/4 or 6/8 (Waltz) time.
This cover of Nothing Else Matters from Macy Gray would make an awesome 75 RPM climb. Listen to it with your eyes closed and count out the one-two-three / one-two-three and hear yourself cuing Left-Two-Three / Right-Two-Three to gently bring everyone in sync. Notice how each measure ends on the opposite leg - which many of the men in your class will find easy to follow.
Another great waltz/climb is Kiss from a Rose by Seal at 66 RPM.
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 234 Coaching (not teaching) a class with cadence - January 13, 2025
- ICI/Podcast 128 Introducing Threshold Field Testing to your class with Karen Bernardo - January 4, 2025
- Indoor Cycling Class As One Long Climb – Very Nice! - December 29, 2024
Great post! I think some people just simply cannot hear the beat. If you manage to teach them to ride to the beat of the music, please let me know how you did it! Thanks for sharing!
I’m having trouble opening the ‘Pitbull’ post from earlier in the week for some reason, but I’d love to read the conclusion… That made me laugh out loud- I LOVE PITBULL!!!! He’s definitely not an artist I would even think about listening to usually, but I love his songs for cycling! 🙂
Internet Gremlins hit the Pitbull post – it’s better now.
Amy will be cuing you through this next week 🙂
love it love it and can’t wait to hear, read and learn more. THANK YOU Amy and John!
Haha! I love it even more since I made a cameo in your Pitbull post! Oddly enough, this week I’ll be using ‘Feel This Moment’ (feat. Christina Aguliera) and “I Like It’ with Enrique Iglesias. Check them out!
I have always been a believer in that some can’t hear music/beats. Maybe its my years of clarinet in H.S. (how nerdy). But Its very clear to me on songs. . So when I’m trying to get my class on the beat of the music I will flick the light switch on the wall next to me and brighten the room and say follow my cadence. Of course its always with a cadence I know everyone can handle. Then I get about 40% to follow along, if I’m lucky. Which brings me to another conclusion….some people can’t see beats either!
sandy
Here at my gym instructors NEVER BOTHER to coordinate music to what they’re doing. As a class member I will (and I’m sure this annoys instructors no end) I will simply abandon the ride they’re calling for and follow the beat – sometimes that means a sprint when they’re draggin through a 60 rpm heavy climb, or vice versa – I refuse to sprint to slow songs. I’ve had a teacher say, “ignore the music, it’s harder that way” Just because the music is slow doesn’t mean you have to be and etc. Makes me crazy!