What makes a group cycling class fun and inspiring?
Some instructors are naturally good at teaching. Some take a while to get comfortable and find their style. But anyone can become a better instructor. Experience is very helpful. Passion is irreplacable.
Instructors should be warm and inviting. Greet everyone as much as possible. Make an effort to look every participant in the eye from time to time and give encouragement. Be as inspired as you want the class to be. Even on a down day, trying to be upbeat will make the class better.
And good music that you have prepared your class around (preparing for class is an absolute must) will help make a class fun. Some instructors have a knack for picking great music. If you struggle with music, ask for help from another teacher. Don’t know any other teachers? Network to connect with as many as you can. Go to other classes and learn some of the little things that other instructors do to make their class fun.
A great instructor and motivating music can make the difference. I have also been to a couple of classes in my area, where they make you compete with other participants in the class by posting your work output on a screen during the class. That motivates me and I believe many other participants as well, to bike harder and it’s more fun too.
Beyond the qualities of the instructor, it is important to foster a sense of cohesion among the members of your class. Classes where members have a sense a cohesion have significantly greater adherence than classes with low group cohesion. One technique for building cohesion is making the group distinctive — having a group name, group t-shirt, neon sweat bands — these may sound trivial but research suggests that these simple strategies enhance adherence. An example of this research is by Spink and Carron in The Journal of Sport and Exercise Psychology, 1993, volume 15 (“The effects of team building on the adherence patterns of female exercise participants”). This is just one example of cohesion building strategies.
I currently teach 6 cycling classes per week, and although the music may be a factor, I am not sure that it is the critical element. There is a very wide range of music preferences expressed by participants and no one musical style will fit with all participants. I do think it is important as suggested above that the workout be planned, that the plan be communicated to the class, and that the plan be followed. It helps also to provide the reasoning behind why a particular workout is designed a certain way.
It has also been helpful for me to prepare a monthly schedule of my rides which give the workout type for each day (intervals, endurance, strength, etc.). I also do a monthly “race day” with a race profile ride and a first place medal for all the riders. It sounds hokey, I know, but people like it.
Just keep trying different things and find what works. Solicit feedback from your group members — what do they like particularly about your class, what gets in the way of attendance.
Hey Kelly! I’m sure you’re an AWESOME instructor though I’ve never actually taken a class from you before huh?! Music IS so key. I want to feel like I’m DANCING more than WORKING. Also though, I want to know in advance what’s expected of me. What are we going to do for the next 10 minutes or so. Do I need to be saving up my energy or giving it my all? I find a lot of instructors just want to KILL the participants and that’s not fun. I hate to be yelled at (I cannot see you doing that at all)! There’s a difference between encouraging and “yelling at” participants. I’m sure you’re so good!!
The Music is key. Try to select music that makes you move, but is not overly popular. Playing music that your students hear on the radio all the time won’t have the the same effect as something that sounds really good, but they only hear it in cycling class.
Also the instructors energy and personality.