Hey guys! How was your weekend? Mine was AWESOME!
As you probably remember, I had becoming a Spinning® instructor as one of my New Year’s Resolutions.
Well, this past Saturday I went for my Instructor Training session at the East Shore YMCA in Harrisburg, PA. It was a full day of training + 2 awesome rides – all done by an incredible Master Instructor Meg McNeely.
Gosh…where do I begin?
Well, first of all, for over a year I had no idea that the classes I was taking were not actually Spinning® classes. They were indoor cycling classes – thanks to Meg and Mad Dogg Athletics, Inc. – now I know what Spinning® really is 🙂
With this knowledge came a lot of revelations (mostly unpleasant) – starting with the basic moves I’d performed in cycling classes for the past year and a half being not so good for me, and ending with the whole different philosophy behind Spinning® classes as opposed to the classes I’d been taking… and unfortunately, I was not alone. 13 other people in the group were sitting there nodding their heads as Meg described the misuse of the terms Spinning®, Spin® and Spinner® and the basic moves used in indoor cycling classes that don’t do you any good and may be harmful.
This training was an eye opening experience!
I didn’t really have time to take any pictures except my Polar FT40 screen after rides.
Ride 1
Ride 2
I still have to pass the online assessment and get my instructor card, but I now have the Certificate of Completion of the instructor training which gives me the right to start teaching.
I am SO excited!
Now on to looking for a place to teach and continuing my education as an instructor. So far I have one place expressing interest I my services. We’ll see what happens!
Meanwhile I have a lot of work to do profiling classes, choosing music and thinking it all through while learning-learning-learning.
On a slightly unrelated subject – I have just been accepted to be a Sweat Pink Ambassador!!!
I have been waiting for a loooong time for this to happen. First, Fit Approach didn’t have their application process open when I first found them, then they opened it, I applied and waited and waited 🙂 I am SO excited to finally become a part of this wonderful community and to be their Ambassador. Thank you, Fit Approach!
Thank you, my wonderful friends, blog readers and my family – for your constant support and encouragement in what I do. I wouldn’t be able to do it without you!
Now I better go check what else was there on my Resolutions list and get cracking 😉
Stay fit, my dears!
Hi Lena! Thank you so much for your blog. I love all your advice and tips. I have been taking indoor spinning classes for years now and it really is like my therapy. Your blog has answered a lot of my questions and has even put me a little more at ease with my decision to get certified. I have one little thing that just keeps my confidence down though. I have never been outdoor cycling, so in my head I just keep playing back, how can I teach actual cyclist when I am not even one!
Hi Sami. Thank you so much for your kind words about my blog and for taking the time to say them. It means a lot to me.
As for you fears – fear not! While riding outside certainly helps in teaching indoor cycling, 90% of your riders will most likely be indoor-only. Get certified with a reputable organization (in my opinion that would be Spinning/Mad Dogg Athletics), which will teach you right from wrong and how to keep your participants safe; how to help them reach their goals and exercise safely and effectively.
By the way – it is totally ok to do it “backwards” in my opinion – that ride indoors might just make you want to go ride outside one day 🙂
Best of luck to you!
I would love to ride outdoors! But I live in LA and the risk of being hit by a car scare me to bits!
How about bike-only trails and parks? 🙂
Hi Lena, thank you so much foe this blog.,you are so supportive and motivating
Became a spinning instructor last year, and have my playlist ready.
But,for some reason, I still feel that I’m not ready to start teaching.
what are your recommendations?
Thank you!
Best,
Maddie
Hi Maddie! You’re most welcome!
I recommend to just do it 😀 You’ll never be 100% ready, there will always be something you haven’t thought of in advance. Just go in there and do your very best.
Good luck.
Lena.