Hey guys! How is it Wednesday already? My week is just flying by (it’s a busy one, too). How is yours going?
So I went to a cycling class this Saturday – as a student. It felt super nice to not be teaching 🙂 Besides, I decided to hold off the stress for now and go to my YMCA where I know the instructors are highly professional, so I can relax and just spin that wheel. So I did!
It was a great class with Tara – challenging, difficult and very satisfying! 9:00 AM on Saturday – we only had 2 people in the class not counting the instructor. And it was part of the fun too!
Since we went camping last weekend, I didn’t get a chance to practice my profile for the Monday class. I put together the Movie Ride – with songs that were part of or specifically written for movies. Here is what it looked like:
I thought the fanfare of the 20th Century Fox in the beginning was a nice touch 🙂 Anyway, my students loved the music and the class. My husband, who took it too said it was my best yet.
I really tried to focus on my “problem areas” this time – I moved my bike closer to the class and away from the speakers so I could have a better judgment of the volume of my voice projection vs. music.
In my previous classes, since I didn’t have a mic (still don’t), I felt like I was failing to motivate my class by verbal coaching, so I worked out more myself – motivating them by sweating my butt off (that’s what they are used to and that I thought was extra motivation for them). Moving my bike closer to the students (hub’s idea), turning the music down a little, and limiting my “moves” to demonstration only really allowed me to coach more. And I think my class definitely benefited from it – I was able to give them more guidance, watch them closer and adjust my cueing accordingly. It was great seeing them react to my guidance and cues.
It is mentally hard to not work out while teaching. Please, don’t get me wrong – it doesn’t come from the desire to get your own workout in. It comes from lack of confidence. I have the knowledge – I need to be more vocal and share it. You can’t be vocal while out of breath…not so much as you should anyway 🙂 I felt a major shift in my priorities as an instructor during the Movie Ride – all thanks to my students letting me feel the difference between instructing “by example” and coaching.
I am learning to be a better instructor for them – one step at a time.
Still got my burn though. No idea how that happened.
Look, they have my name on the board in the cycling room 🙂 How nice is that!
What else is up this week: I am subbing for another instructor today at lunch time (if I don’t have the same students in the class that I had on Monday, I am planning to do my Movie Ride again).
I am also teaching two Saturday morning classes this month before I head out to Fit Bloggin’ 2014!
On an unrelated subject: I’ve been invited for an interview by Adam and Devon Bate over at the Lifestyle Accountability Show!
We are recording it tonight, and I will make sure to let you know when it is out! I am so honored and stoked to be given this opportunity!
Super happy and excited to chat with these guys tonight! Thank you, Adam, for reaching out to me!
Now do share:
What was your “Workout of the Workouts” this week?
Have you ever been interviewed?
Does it inspire you to see your cycling instructor getting a workout in the class?
Take care, boys and girls 🙂
This post has been shared on Femme Fitale Fit Club as part of their Workout Wednesdays series.
Your playlist looks great I used to do all kinds of them playlists when I taught. One of my faves was a “decades” I started with a song from the 50’s and went through the years. Lots of fun!
Deborah @ Confessions of a Mother Runner recently posted…Turn a plate of Grilled Veggies into 5 meals
Deborah, this is such a neat idea! Thanks! I have to do the decades playlist 🙂
Love the creative playlist! My housemate is a spin instructor and she did a “cycle across the Americas” class with songs from different states. Super fun! #wowlinkup
Amanda H recently posted…Workout Wednesday Linkup #31
Oh thanks for that idea, Amanda! I’m always on the lookout for new class ideas 🙂
ahhh what a fun idea with the movie playlist! love it!!
Lindsay @ Broke and Bougie recently posted…Wednesday Workout: Tips for Running With Your Dog
Thank you, Lindsay!
You rock as an instructor. I wish I could take your class Lena. #wowlinkup
Femme Fitale Fit Club recently posted…How to Know if Your Diet is Plotting to Kill You
That is such a nice thing to say. Thank you, Diatta. I wish I could have you in my class!
so fun! I love the creativity to keep it fresh. Nice! And good luck with the interview (even though I know it’s behind us). Hope it went well!! #wowlinkup
Lara @ Uptite Mamas recently posted…Runner’s World Heartbreak Hill Recap-Kerry
Thanks, Lara.
The interview went well – I got a job and that’s what I’m teaching now 🙂 🙂 🙂 🙂
Congrats on getting your name up on the board 😉 I teach spin too and also find it’s fun to check out other instructors’ classes. I’ve never done a movie theme class-how fun! I recently did my first interview for The Stacey Harris. Her podcast is focused on entrepreneurs (I have my own online PT business and work with them a lot myself!) so it was different, but a lot of fun . Excited to hear how your interview experience is. #wowlinkup
Catherine | Fit Armadillo recently posted…Easy Lemon Chicken Recipe
Thanks for stopping by, Catherine!
My student loved the movie ride! Nobody does themed rides at our facility so I am planning on doing one every now and then. I got a lot of ideas, so stay tuned 🙂 🙂 🙂
Have fun at fit blogging, I can’t go because I can’t justify spending a lot of money in a conference, flight and hotel and etc. because I haven’t made enough money with my blog yet. Please share all that you have learned. Visiting from the #wowlinkup
The Frugal Exerciser recently posted…Workout Wednesdays WOW!
I will be sure to share everything I learn! So sorry you’re not coming 🙁 Maybe next year!
I love all of your cycling articles! I’m about to teach my first class in a month – and am both nervous and excited! Reading your blog has given me an ease – as well as a lot of advice!
Gianna. How exciting! You’ll be great, I’m sure 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and I’m glad the blog helped you!