Let’s try something new, shall we? First, right click on this and open it up in a new tab so it plays while you read. If you’re at home, turn it up too, why don’t you? It never matters much, what kind of mood I’m in before teaching a group cycling class. Once I plug in my iPod, press play, and crank up the volume as high as I possibly can without feeling like I’m going to blow out the speakers, the endorphins start flowing and I feel like I can conquer the world. Being an instructor also adds a different dimension to class. I won’t lie: there’s a great…
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How Are Those Fitness Resolutions Coming?
Did you make a broad fitness resolution at the stroke of midnight on January 1st? You know, something like “I’m going to join the gym and really use it this time” or “I’m going to be skinny in three months”. Okay, here’s some straight talk. Pull up a chair. Wait, never mind: you’re likely to be sitting already, being at the computer and all. Fitness resolutions? Bah. If you’re going to make a commitment to “get fit”, the odds are pretty good that you will fail unless you make it specific. It’s not good enough to say, “I’m going to get fit this year”, unless your personality is such that…
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She’s A Maniac…
I just returned home last night for the final time after a weekend of driving back and forth daily to the Midwest Mania fitness conference in Rosemont, Illinois–about 25 miles from my house. I am exhausted, but in a good way. As an ACE-certified group fitness instructor, I have to take part in continuing education in order to recertify every two years, and a great way to earn lots of CECs (continuing ed credits) at once is to go to a fitness conference and be a part of classes and lectures presented by Master trainers, coaches, and other respected individuals connected to the fitness industry. The cost of CECs (and…
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Spinning the Wheel, Part Two
I posted yesterday about how to get started taking group cycling classes. Today I want to cover some class etiquette. I have to put the disclaimer out there that I can’t speak for all instructors; this is what *I* prefer in my classes*. Most of these things are based on the principle that a group fitness instructor (or any type of teacher, really) has a large number of people to take care of for that hour, and using common sense can help improve the experience for everyone involved. 1. Please come to class wearing proper attire. I discussed what proper spinning attire is in yesterday’s post. What I will add…
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Spinning the Wheel, Part One
Starting tomorrow, I’ll be working at a fitness conference and will be away from home (and my laptop! eek!) from very, very early in the morning until late in the evening, through Sunday. Imagine the BlogHer conference with spin bikes and kettlebells instead of computers. And probably no $3 Patron margaritas. (Bummer.) Oh yeah, and I won’t know anybody there, in real life or not. Well, not at first. I can talk to anyone and am sure to make some friends before the weekend is over. Anyway, I thought it would be a great time to put up a post about starting spin (group cycling) classes. As an instructor, I’ve…