Inside an Instructor's Brain

A scary thought, isn't it??  We always say that perception is reality and that certainly applies to a Spinning class.

Here are a few things that we hear you say (or maybe you just think it) in class that we have a totally different perspective on.

You:  OMG!  I left a huge puddle of sweat under my bike.  GROSS!
Us:  Wow, you worked super hard today!  Well done!

You:  I better not work too hard because I will sweat right through my clothes.
Us:  Hey, did you get a good workout today because I don't see any sweat?

You:  I look like such a dork doing this V-sit.  I hope I am doing it correctly.
Us:  Great job working your core! I know it is uncomfortable, but it is changing your body!

You:  I look like a tomato because my face is so red!  AH!
Us:  Take a sip of water and a deep breath or two.  We are right here with you, red noses and all!

You:  If I have to get up to pee, will the instructor yell at me for leaving my bike?
Us:  If you are in there for a long time, we might check on you.  Other than that, we don't mind!

You:  I forgot my bike settings, but I am too embarrassed to ask for help.
Us:  No worries, we walk around prior to class to make sure you are all safe and set up properly.  If we see an issue, we will tackle it one-on-one to make sure you are comfortable.

You:  I really want to high-five my instructor for that awesome ride, but they might think I am a psycho!
Us:  DO IT!  We love praise as much as you do!

Health and Fitness Gift Ideas

Happy Monday Psycho's!  If you are like me, you always have that one person who is so hard to shop for.  That person is my husband because he has everything and when he wants something, he just goes out and buys it.  We have a rule that he is not allowed to purchase anything during the month of December so that he doesn't ruin any of my Christmas surprises.

Here are some good ideas for the active people on your list.  Or, some ideas for the folks that want to get active in 2014.

A gift card to the Saratoga Cycling Studio.  They have one year to use it and it could be the little "push" they need to try it out!

A gym basket.  Fill it with a water bottle, fun headbands, some ear buds, colorful socks, a protein bar, and maybe a book on lifting weights.

A workout gadget such as a fitbit, heart rate monitor, or a pedometer.  It keeps you accountable and you get instant results.

A magazine subscription to Women's or Men's Health, Shape, etc. It will provide realistic inspiration (sometimes) and give them some ideas on how to get started.

Class card to a new studio or trainer in town.  In Saratoga, I highly recommend checking out the Fitness Artist.  I workout there and absolutely adore trainer, Kelly.

A subscription to Spotify premium.  For $9.95 a month, you get all the tunes you can handle!  When you are listening to your favorite stuff, you will workout harder and have fun doing it!

Happy Holidays!

I've Been Published!

Spinning announces contests for their instructors to enter their profile for publication.  I wish that I had the time to enter each time, but alas, I have a studio to run.  The one contest I did enter, I WON!  Here is the profile I submitted:

http://www.spinning.com/images/20111RideLikeYouMeanIt.pdf

It was a big accomplishment and also a chance for me to look back today and reflect on how far I have come in my coaching journey.

Enjoy!
Angela

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Where were you August of 2012?  SCS was just 4 months old and off to a fast start!  We were even featured as the Spinning Facility of the Month!

Check out our article:  http://spinning.com/media/spinning_instructor_news/2012-8.html

Thank you for continuing to make our business a huge success!

Happy Spinning!
Angela

Top 10 Reasons why you Spin at SCS

We hear day after day, how much you all love SCS and we love you right back!  Most of you found us either through a friend, coworker, neighbor, or family member recommendation.  Some of you found us because the place where you had been indoor cycling, just wasn't cutting it.  The Saratoga Cycling Studio is family run and operated, and we treat each client like family.  This is truly our dream come true and we strive to bring you a smile and great workout everyday.  Thank YOU for your hard work, dedication, and loyalty to SCS.


10. It is CLEAN!  No overflowing garbage bins, no towels on the floor, the bathroom is always spotless.
9. 12 hour cancellation policy, not 24 hours.  Who the heck knows what we will be doing an entire day from now?!
8. ALL of the NXT bikes are in perfect, working order ALL of the time and they are TOP of the line.
7. It is YOUR ride!  We encourage going at your own pace and using as much or as little resistance as you would like.  No one will single you out and scream in your face like a drill sergeant.

6. You can SHARE our 10, 25, or 50 pack of classes with whomever you want!  Our prices are the lowest in the area.

5. Our clients are 100% injury FREE thanks to following the Spinning guidelines 100% of the time.  NO push-ups on the bike, NO pedaling at 1000 rpm's with no resistance, NO nonsense, just hard work and FUN!

4. Real results!  Using the official Spinning energy zones (endurance, strength, interval, recovery, race day), we are able to give you a workout that will change your fitness, health, and body!  You are pedaling with purpose, not fluff!

3. Instructors hold an official Spinning certification (and CPR), not one we made up ourselves.  We also participate in Spinning continuing education to bring you the best rides we can.

2. Did we mention the 3 fans and exhaust fan that keep it cool and comfortable while you work up a sweat?

1. It is where everybody knows your name!  You are not just a face in a crowd, you are family.

Did we miss anything?  Comment below why YOU love SCS.

Happy Spinning!

You Are so Generous!

Thank you to everyone that attended and donated to the "Spin for Sammy" charity ride.  It was a huge success and their family cannot thank you enough for your generosity.

If you missed this ride, we are hosting a Breast Cancer Awareness ride on Sunday, October 6th at noon.  We will have not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4 instructors coaching you through this emotional and powerful ride!  Sign up through Active.com to participate.  You get a FREE shirt with your registration.

Here are some songs that I am loving lately:

Work, Work - Britney Spears
Electro Man - Benny Benassi
Let Her Go - Passenger
Hail to the King - Avenged Sevenfold
Misery Loves Company - Three Days Grace

My Weight's Class is Back!

Continuing education through the Saratoga School District is starting back up the week of September 23rd.  I will be teaching my "fitness with weights for men and women" again this semester!  It begins on Wednesday, September 25th at 5:30pm.  The program runs for 6 weeks and it only costs $35 to participate.  I just ask that you bring a mat and a set of hand - weights (2-5lbs).

If you are interested in joining, check out this link.

I hope to see you there!

Back to School!

It is that glorious time of year again, when we all get back to class!  The kids begin class tomorrow and that means your schedule is going to change again.  To ease you back into the saddle, we are offering a 15% off discount to take off of your next purchase.  You can view the promo code by "liking" us on Facebook.

As the weather gets cooler, we will start adding more and more classes to accommodate your needs.  In the meantime, make sure to have a package in place so that you can reserve in advance and never be waitlisted again.

Here are some songs I am loving this week:

Vote for SCS!!!!

Below is a link to make us one of the Saratoga "Fab Five" Spots!!!  All you need to do is answer 3 of the categories to help us out.  We would love to be in the "Wildcard" category!

Thank you for your continued support!!!

http://www.saratoga.com/fab-five/

What's New at SCS?

If you have participated in our recent online survey, thank you for your feedback!  As the weather gets nicer, our studio adjusts our schedule to meet your needs.  We know you want to Spin as much as possible in the summer, but it might be a struggle between that cold margarita and hopping on our bike.  I hope that you can appreciate the time and effort we put forth in producing the June schedule to accommodate your requests.  Just remember - anything can be changed!  In the fall, when the weather starts to cool down again, the schedule will change with those demands.

Here are some things that changed per your requests:

• Monday, Powerhouse Spin moved back to 7am.
• Tuesday, Spin Fit is now called Spin Fit Total Body.  It is an intense 30 minutes on the bike followed by 30 minutes off the bike.  We will focus on strengthening and toning the entire body using bands, hand weights, and much more!  If you just want to get a quick, calorie burning ride in and skip the total body portion, you are welcome to do just that.
• Friday, we added a NEW class called, Total Body Fitness at 8:15am.  This is 40 minutes completely off the bike to strengthen and tone the entire body!  Hand weights and bands will be used.
• Friday, we added another new class called, Spin Xpress at 9am.  It is a 45 minute Spin class that will allow you to workout in less time and get the same results!  Start your weekend off early with this new format.
• Sunday, Powerhouse Spin is now offered at 9:30am. In the survey, lots of you suggested an earlier time slot so that you could workout and enjoy the nice weather.

We certainly strive to give you want you want because SCS isn't our studio, it is YOURS!  We appreciate your support!

Party Time!

With May 1st quickly approaching, we have been putting together our 1 year Anniversary party at SCS.   Join us May 11th for an awesome class with DJ Chris Wright "spinning" the tunes.  We are offering two class times: 5:45pm and 7:00pm for your convenience.  You get a really great SCS shirt with your registration as well.  It is filling fast, so hop onto our schedule, click the "events" tab and grab your bike!  We will be giving away door prizes, apparel, water bottles and some classes!

(photo from DJ Spin in March)


Here is a snapshot of all the fun things we have going on at the Saratoga Cycling Studio in the next few weeks:

4/20 - 10:30am, we welcome CDPHP for a private event.
4/20 - 12pm, Lung Cancer Alliance Charity Ride.  We have 4 seats open!  Ride with purpose!
4/27 - Spinning Instructor Orientation - Jerry's class will begin at 8am.
4/28 - Spinning Instructor Continuing Education - 10am class is cancelled.
5/2 - Tour de Cure team party at the Mexican Connection.  Anyone that has raised $350 attends for free.  Raise $500 and bring a spouse or friend for free!  $10 to attend otherwise.  RSVP to Sarah.
5/4 - 10:30am, we welcome CDPHP for a private event.  Lyndsay will teach at 8am.
5/5, 5/12, 5/19 - Train to Tour classes begin.  Test your strength and train like an athlete!  Sign up through the events tab.
5/11 - 1 year anniversary party!  Sign up through the events tab.
5/12 - Mother's Day - 10am class with Angela.
5/26 - FREE begin to spin for 1st time SCS clients
5/27 - Memorial Day, class offered at 9am.

Keep It Rolling!

Spring is in the air here in Upstate New York and it couldn't come soon enough!  I wanted to keep you apprise of all of our upcoming events and news at the studio. 

Last week we added two classes, Thursday at 7:30pm with Gail and Sunday at 8:45am with Rebecca.  Both classes have had a big response, so thank you for your attendance!  We now offer up to 23 different classes per week!

We also have added a few more bikes to better accommodate our clients that have been stuck on our waistlists.  The room is still just as comfortable with about 2.5-3 feet in between each bike.  Your comfort is very important to us, so this will be the last addition of bikes.

Friday, March 15th is the final day to register to be on our Tour de Cure team for $15.  After Friday, the price goes up to $25, so join us today! 

Our FREE begin to spin class is this Sunday (3/17) at 11:15am and is nearly full!  Do you have a friend, spouse, family member, coworker who you think would love to try out our studio?  Here is the link so they can register and join the fun! 

SCS water bottles should be in for sale this week!  They are BPA free, made in America, hold 24 ounces, dishwasher safe and are insulated to keep your water icy cold! They will be offered in SCS purple or silver with our logo proudly printed on the front.  Here is a sneak peek!

 

Would you like a chance to win one for FREE?  If you attend Rebecca's class on Monday (9:30am), Diane's class on Wednesday (5:30am), or Lyndsay's class on Thursday (4:30pm), you will get a raffle ticket to enter the contest.  The more of these classes you attend, the greater your chances of winning!  Contest winner is drawn on April 14th.  Must be in studio to receive your ticket.

 

Student Spin, 3/29 at 4:15pm.  All high school and college students are welcome to participate in this really fun class!  It is offered at a discounted rate of $8 and you can reserve your spot here.   Parents - this is a great opportunity to get your kids active!  Availability is limited!

 

Lung Cancer Alliance Charity Ride, 4/20 at noon.  This ride will benefit a great cause that has affected many of our clients on a very personal level.  $25 registration gets you a one hour ride and a FREE dri-fit shirt.  We will also be selling $1 raffle tickets to help raise even more money.  Raffle prizes will include water bottles, free classes and other SCS gear.

 

Some schedule changes to note:

3/23  - Class is at 7:15am

3/24 - Class is at 7:15am. 

 

We have  AFAA fitness training certifications taking place at the studio from 9am-6pm those days.  Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

 

4/13 & 4/20 - NO 10:30am class.  CDPHP members have been invited to try out the studio to get fit and healthy during that time.  This is a private event.

 

4/27 - Class is at 8:00am, NO 10:30am class.  We are hosting a Spinning Instructor Orientation/Certification in the studio.  If you are interested in becoming a Spinning Instructor, you can register through spinning.com.

 

4/28 - NO 10am Powerhouse.  All other classes are scheduled as usual.  We are hosting a Spinning continuing education course that day. 

 

5/11 - Tentative date for our 1 year anniversary party!

 



 

Happy Birthday to SCS!

According to a cute, little groundhog named Phil, Spring is on the way and April 30th is our official, Saratoga Cycling Studio 1st birthday!  We would love your input as to how we should celebrate with you.  We would most likely host the festivities on Saturday May 4th to accommodate more folks who want to celebrate with us.

We will have classes, giveaways, raffles, and lots of other things planned, but how can we make this really special?  Feel free to email me anytime at: saratogacyclingstudio@gmail.com, or send me a Facebook or Twitter message. 

In other fun news, our Spinning 8 Week Weight Loss participants have lost a total of 21 inches and almost 10 pounds together!  We just wrapped up week 4 and will update in a few more weeks.  Since this has been a huge success so far, we plan on launching another program in a few months.  Keep checking our Facebook page for more information.

Updates:
NEW CLASS: Spinning, Tuesday, 7:30am with Diane
NEW CLASS: Spinning, Saturday, 10:30am with Lyndsay
Spinning Instructor Orientation - April 27th.  Spinning.com to register.

Happy Spinning!