[wyrillco]

I am signed up to take Spin training in April. YAY! I am going to be an official licenesed spin instructor. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"><br><br>
So what do I need to know/do to enter the training prepared? It's an all day training at my rec center (I'm so lucky they are doing it!).<br><br>
Also, once I get certified, how do I best go about finding a spin class to teach on a regular basis?

 

[sistergoldenhair]

Woo hoo, Courtney! I assume you're taking a Spinning training, or is it another cycling certification?<br><br>
If it is Spinning: (if not, ignore all that follows!)<br><br>
One of the first things you'll be indoctrinated with is to always, always call it "Spinning" or "the spinning program" vs. "Spin." <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"> It's a brand thing.<br><br>
If you are doing the Spinning program, you should get a manual before the training. It's a good read. The training is a lot in one day. You learn the program's background and philosophy, bike set-up, proper form of the hand positions and body positions, contraindicated moves, the types of rides (based on heart rate training), as well as the mind-body/coaching. Hmmm, am I leaving anything out?<br><br>
Who is your Master Instructor -- do you know? I got to ride with quite a few last June at the convention in Miami so might know him/her.<br><br>
One of the things I liked about it is they don't force you to teach or practice teaching during training. Sometimes that can be intimidating when you're just trying to learn about a program and method. Most of the Master Instructors are very skilled at doing the orientations. I think you'll really enjoy it!

 

[sistergoldenhair]

Oh, about finding a class. You'll want to see where the licensed Spinning centers are in your area (that should be on spinning.com) and inquire about subbing or beginning a class, or start at the YMCA. You can teach at a Y with any cycling certification and it is a typically friendly environment to new instructors.

 

[wyrillco]

Thanks, SGH!!<br><br>
Yes, it is official Spinning training!! <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"> So SPINNING, not Spin. Gotcha. <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif"><br><br>
I think I should get my manual in a week or so, since there was a shipping charge on my registration. I am not sure what else it is for...<br><br>
I don't know who the trainer will be.<br><br>
Will we not actually ride during the training? Should I wear my padded shorts?<br><br>
I'm really excited to do this. Our Y does have group cycling, so I'll definitely inquire there. My local Anytime Fitness gym is supposed to be starting Spinning classes, so I may actually go talk to them right away about the potential of subbing or teaching for them.

 

[theia]

Definitely wear your padded shorts and take towels, water, etc. as you would for a regular class. When I went through it, we did two full classes during that looong day of training. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"> We also practiced setting each other up on the bikes (proper form, adjusting the seats, what to look for to ensure the participant is set up properly, etc.), so we were on and off the bikes all day.

 

[wyrillco]

Thanks, Theia! I am hoping that is similar to what this class will be like. I'm nervous, but excited at the same time.

 

[theia]

Wyr, if you're already a seasoned Spinning class veteran, you'll be fine! Enjoy! I went through the training literally 10-12 years ago when Spinning was still really new. I had taken exactly one class prior to that day but loved it and knew even before taking that first class that I wanted to become certified and teach it. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[wyrillco]

Sweet. I've taken my share of Spinning classes, but I'm no expert.<br><br>
But it should be fun. And it's at my local rec center, so this will work into my schedule well. I will normally have a longer bike ride scheduled that day (tri training) so this should be ok. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[sistergoldenhair]

You'll be fine with your experience, Courtney. I've gone to dozens of certification trainings and continuing ed stuff and Spinning is one of the least intimidating. The two rides are not super hard workouts, but you will want padded shorts and your shoes with cleats if you own them. One is a form ride to break down the form of all the positions. One was a shorter ride demonstrating everything from music to language to visualization to working with heart rates in the various "energy zones" (this will become clear to you). <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"><br><br>
Hmmm, maybe wyrillco, Theia, & I need to meet at WSSC some year!

 

[wyrillco]

For sure!!! <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif"><br><br>
Thanks, I'll definitely bring my cycling shoes. I'm actually not a big fan of the ones I got, and if I really buck up and put the clipless pedals on my real bike, I'll probably get new ones.

 

[theia]

I've never been. <img alt="sad.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/sad.gif"> My gym will pay for only one conference per year, and there's a Sara's City right in Philly (so no travel costs except for parking). I'd have to pay my own way to WSSC.

 

[sistergoldenhair]

I went last year, but had assistance. I don't know if I could get it again. The hotel would be reasonable sharing a room. I'm definitely not going this year. It was worth the trip, I thought -- lots of great sessions.<br><br>
Hmmm, Philly is closer to me than Miami is and I have friends there. When is Sara's City? I like to try to do one fitness conference a year.

 

[theia]

It's next weekend!! Come play!!!! You can crash at my house (30 miles/minutes south of Philly).

 

[wyrillco]

So what is this conference? Tell me more. Obviously not this year.. but in the future?

 

[theia]

Sara Kooperman used to put on conferences in several cities under the name Sara's City Workout. Now they are called Manias -- Philly Mania, Midwest Mania, etc. You can google either Sara's City or Philly Mania and get dates and locations for all of them. They're pretty good; good, national presenters, nice expo, loads of great ideas for classes, etc. I always am so inspired and energized afterward! Yes, energized after doing 12-15 classes in 3 days!! <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[sistergoldenhair]

I'm always re-energized after conferences, too! I get the Mania mailings, now that you explain it.<br><br>
My travel budget is a bit stretched with Boston coming up, or I'd come up and play next weekend, Theia. I didn't know you were relatively close.<br><br>
wyrillco -- World Spinning and Sports Conference (WSSC) is Spinning's annual fitness and spinning event for instructors. There are all kinds of rides, workshops, other certifications, etc. It is always in Miami in early June.

 

[Tithers]

Hmmmmm-I might be in the miami area early June-any more info?<br><br>
My first Triathlon-spin class is March 13! I went to the AFAA course...

 

[wyrillco]

Are you teaching? What is a triathlon-spin class? Tell me more, t-girl!<br><br>
It's so funny, our birthdays are days apart, we have both lost significant weight, we both do tris (yours much longer than mine), we are (soon to be for me) both spinning instructors... I think we'd be fast friends IRL. <img alt="smile.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/smile.gif">

 

[divaleh]

You've all inspired me.<br><br>
I took spin today for the first time in a year. It was ok. I miss the cycle-centric class I used to take...<br><br>
But this at least didn't feel like aerobics on a spinner. And I modified much of it so that my placement was where the other instructor used to have us...<br><br>
Yay for mixing it up <img alt="wink.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/wink.gif">