VERY new and looking for tips

[Irulan]

http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/...er-the-collar/

very good article about contraindicated moves, and more specifcally,
this book, now in it's second edition, about teaching spin classes, the good the bad and the ugly

[CDmama]

http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/...er-the-collar/

very good article about contraindicated moves, and more specifcally,
this book, now in it's second edition, about teaching spin classes, the good the bad and the ugly

Holy Crap! I can believe those videos?!!
Great link, book ordered

I have sooooo much to learn. I am excited I found this forum. You ladies are super helpful. Thanks! I'll let you know how it goes and I am sure I'll have tons more questions.

[trista]

http://www.bengreenfieldfitness.com/...er-the-collar/

very good article about contraindicated moves, and more specifcally,
this book, now in it's second edition, about teaching spin classes, the good the bad and the ugly

WTF?!!!??!! Those videos are crazy!!!! I've never heard of such a thing - how bizarre.

[Dogmama]

I've been in classes where they do some of those moves. I think the instructor lacked motivation and imagination - thus she needed to resort to those moves. There is no reason to do stupid stuff on a bike to break up boredom. Boring teachers have boring classes. OTOH, if a class is planned correctly, there are some songs where the instructor will coach lightly and let the students become absorbed in their own movements. It can be very meditative. I, for one, do NOT want somebody micromanaging my every move.

[Catrin]

Another good tip - don't interrupt the class to go around and get people to tell you their heart rate. Or to go over to random individuals and have them do sprints while everyone else is doing something different. Or anything that interrupts the flow of class.

And what is it about instructors that interrupt class to have everyone get off the bike to do push-ups and sit-ups Nothing against those exercises, they are important, but have no place in an indoor cycling class. Then they frown at those of us who won't do it.

We had an instructor who did all of this (and more) and it drove us all batty. Eventually she lost all of her students to the other instructors and she now teaches Pilates rather than spinning. Her replacement is much better. It was a shame because we all personally liked her, but her classes were just too chaotic.

I do think that indoor cycling instructors who are also cyclists certainly have an advantage over the non-cyclist instructors. At least this has been my experience over the last year.

[Miranda]

If you are getting your certification through the original Spinning program, they will train you on what's contra-indicated.

Well, before our Y instructors got Spinning certified, some used to do those moves. Now we do not.

Another gym I teach at still does them. My only saving grace teaching there is that the teacher I took over for was an outdoor cyclists... and did not do the CI moves.

However... all things in Spinning, and Jennifer's advice, is not for every gym go-er imho. Most in your class will not be outdoor riders. Particularly year round.

Keep it fun. Don't be over technical. Have great fun upbeat music people know. Mix it up.

Get to know your members & listen to their feedback.

And btw...

besides teaching Spinning obviously, I am a road cyclists & mountain biker... gear-geek etc... BUT, I'm not ocd roadie technical as a teacher... cuz I found that turns off a certain percentage of your class.

One of our teachers that is VERY technical style is great teacher... but it never reaches the peeps cuz they don't come back... they are bored to death. Me, I try to give em both.

The outdoor riders know I'm a cyclists, have trained for an event before, crashed bad, whole nine yards...

I think sometimes when they get too high and mighty like... "bah hum bug this is not like outdoor riding?" ...um you are riding a bike that goes.... n o w h e r e... lighten up people... and just enjoy what you get out of indoor class as a compliment to your outdoor riding.... duh. lol

Good luck with teaching!

EDIT ADD: This link takes you to another good website for instructors... some really cool peeps on there that would give you the shirt off their cyber-space backs if you need a certain song etc... and some totally anal ocd fights about techy stuff lol... take it with a grain of salt & what works for you.
http://www.pedal-on.com/

[CDmama]

If you are getting your certification through the original Spinning program, they will train you on what's contra-indicated.

Well, before our Y instructors got Spinning certified, some used to do those moves. Now we do not.

Another gym I teach at still does them. My only saving grace teaching there is that the teacher I took over for was an outdoor cyclists... and did not do the CI moves.

However... all things in Spinning, and Jennifer's advice, is not for every gym go-er imho. Most in your class will not be outdoor riders. Particularly year round.

Keep it fun. Don't be over technical. Have great fun upbeat music people know. Mix it up.

Get to know your members & listen to their feedback.

And btw...

besides teaching Spinning obviously, I am a road cyclists & mountain biker... gear-geek etc... BUT, I'm not ocd roadie technical as a teacher... cuz I found that turns off a certain percentage of your class.

One of our teachers that is VERY technical style is great teacher... but it never reaches the peeps cuz they don't come back... they are bored to death. Me, I try to give em both.

The outdoor riders know I'm a cyclists, have trained for an event before, crashed bad, whole nine yards...

I think sometimes when they get too high and mighty like... "bah hum bug this is not like outdoor riding?" ...um you are riding a bike that goes.... n o w h e r e... lighten up people... and just enjoy what you get out of indoor class as a compliment to your outdoor riding.... duh. lol

Good luck with teaching!

EDIT ADD: This link takes you to another good website for instructors... some really cool peeps on there that would give you the shirt off their cyber-space backs if you need a certain song etc... and some totally anal ocd fights about techy stuff lol... take it with a grain of salt & what works for you.
http://www.pedal-on.com/

I agree! Thanks for the link. I taught one class, my trial run, and LOVED it. I hope the group felt the same. I was co-teaching so I couldn't contradict the other instructor while she was right next to me I am out of town now and have gone to 3 other classes to get a feel for other teaching styles. So far the biggest difference is flow and music. Some teachers are really chatty and that is not my style. I like to concentrate on the ride not gossip. I start my own class next week and I hope that as the weather turns cooler I can pick up a few more students.

Thanks for all the tips ladies