Spin Instructor Try-out tomorrow- any tips??

[snooz]

Been in love with indoor cycling since I was assaulted while biking to work several years ago- was not injured but pretty much lessened my motivation to ride the streets/trails. Spin class= No traffic, no weirdos, no worries!

Sooo...I became certified to instruct and have a group try-out tomorrow. Been practicing all I know and all I've recently learned and have a pretty good routine but would really love any extra help as far as how to make the best of my try out.

Thank you!!

[tulip]

Congratulations, and enjoy your class! So sorry to hear about your assault.

Connect your routine to an outside ride. For those of us who do ride outside, a good spinning class is one that simulates outside riding. I don't bother with spin instructors who do not ride outside or never have.

Tie your cadence to the music. Nothing worse than the spin instructor completely ignoring the beat of the music, and nothing better than a good song sweeping you along in the class.

Also, remind people to drink often, and don't do things like pushups while on the bike! I took a TERRIBLE spin class where the instructor (how she was hired I will never know) had the students do pushups on the bike while pedaling. She also had students put the resistance at the hardest level and push no matter what. She and the students were at about 5 rpm no joke. I just did my own thing because her music was pretty good, but she got snippy about me not going along with her routine. I told her that her routine was dangerous and potentially quite injurious. Don't do those things!

Which certification program did you take?

[snooz]

Hi, thanks

I was certified through Mad Dogg Athletics (Johnny G). That class you mentioned does sound brutal.

I've been reading on the forums here about how many people feel the same as you in wanting their indoor rides to simulate outdoor riding. It's funny, although I began as an outdoor cyclist, I have always thought of the two as separate species and even though I "spin" on my own often when the classroom is empty, I am not really thinking too much about simulating the outdoors...Now I think I need to revisit this but I'm not sure how...

Is it as simple as referring to things like "getting to the top of the hill" or "sprinting down the backside" after doing a hard "climb" and following up with a high-cadence/low resistence effort/song?

thank you for your help!!

[Catrin]

First of all I want to congratulate you for doing the work to get certified, and wish you the best on your try-out tomorrow!

Personally I won't return to a spinning class where there are moves that I consider unsafe (like adding enough resistance to go 5 mph - just dangerous), or to do "exercises" on or off the bike. I've been to one class like this, never again. As an outdoor cyclist, I only attend spinning classes inside during the winter to help maintain bike fitness. I really want an indoor cycling class - tied to the music like Tulip mentioned The music helps to get into the zone.

Please don't stop the class to have people take their heart rates - indeed don't stop the class at all until it is over. Assuming you have fans in the room, turn them/keep them on. Don't ask the students what they want to do that day, you are the instructor. I am sure you would/wouldn't do all of that anyway I've been in several classes where all of this and more occurred, very chaotic.

Good luck and have fun!

[Irulan]

no contraindicated moves**, good music, don't sing along....

** if you search older threads, you'll get a lot of info. Pushups, popcorn jumps, etc... not safe.

[snooz]

Hey, thanks.
I guess I'll do at least better than those instructors that don't sound like they are certified through a reputable program or have forgotten what they learned!

Thanks for the suggestions, wish me luck!