Last week I was reading the local newspaper and found out an ad for a spinning class instructor. I have a friend that already those that we told that this force him to train during the winter (twice a week) and he gets paid for that… I know it’s not a lot 25$ per hour but this could paid some races entry fees.
Are there any ST giving spin classes? If you had the opportunity would you do it?
I do three a week. It’s not really as good as riding, but M & W at 7:00 p.m. I wouldn’t be riding anyway. My other class is at 7:45 on Saturday morning, which means that when I meet up with my crew at 9:00 for a 50-75 miler, I’m already 15 miles or so into my ride and have done some hard intervals. I’ve had some awesome Saturday rides that started with a hard spin class.
It isn’t huge money (more than $25 however) but it’s a workout I might not otherwise do and it makes me spin pedals a few extra times a week.
Alex…
I would do it in a heartbeat, BUT be careful of where you would be teaching. I have taken spin classes all over town and some just flat out scare me. Since you would be teaching, you might be taking over one of those scary classes, so be ready for negative feedback and be ready to teach some how to work. Just PLEASE make sure the people have their seats set correct (not kidding) it pains me to see some of the spinners sitting on the pedals.
One of my friend that is going to race as a pro in Kona this year, said that he’s able to perform is quality workouts during the classes… He performs intervals during the workout but with higher resistance that other participants. Note: He only gives classes between september and april.
Thanks for the advices… I take good note of them.
I sent my resume that doesn’t mean that I will be accepted but we will see.
MTL…way back when I actually taught aerobics for a bit. How I got the job they held an interview type thing, and I flat out told the guy I could talk his ear off with what he wanted to hear, but wouldn’t he rather EXPERIENCE a class? That got me a job at age 17 (without credentials). If you really want the job ask them if you could give them a demonstration and provide details like it was their first class.
Hi,
I can’t said that I have experience but I have followed lets say around 20 spin classes and also did replace a Tri coach for 2 weeks and give 4 spin classes during that time… Yes, I know not much experience but I haven’t been doing Tri for 17 years (including more than 100+ tris from sprint distance to Ironman).
Thanks,
Alex
I teach a class once a week. Pay is chump change, but the free gym membership is pretty nice. I have been doing hard intervals recently, but will be moving to climbs starting next week. I am a crappy “spin” instructor because I just don’t believe in many of the “spinning” things - like jumps or pedalling backwards or other things that I would just never do on a bike. I do guarantee that you will get one hell of a workout, though.
Alex…
Please don’t take this the wrong way…but if you haven’t already sent over your info, have someone look it over and give some input. You can word what you have done in a very positive tone. Everyone has to start somewhere and obviously if the past tri-coach was willing to let you substitute you have a really good clue what to do. Do not let a whiff of ‘I don’t have much experience’ get out in your words. Just be confident in what you HAVE done. Not sure if English is your first language, but the wording in just this post contradicts what I think you are trying to say. They are just words, but if you are trying to get in a door, the potential employer might just chuck your resume without even giving you a chance.
If you HAVE already sent over your information, I would give a follow up call and ask if there is anyway you could come teach a class (this will allow your animation/passion to show), and if they have already selected ask if you can be put on a substitute list. I can’t tell you how many opportunities I have gotten from just doing a substitute class.
Personally, I would rather have someone who has been involved with tris for 17 yrs teach my spin class than someone who has never been out on a bike, but then again, I might be biased.
Good Luck!
first item is whether it is a true Spinning® facility, or a place that offers classes on stationary bikes. there is a notable difference.
i am going into my third year instructing and Spinning® is a great program. i would be cautious about getting involved with teaching at a stationary bike type facility.
who is your certification through and what is the cost involved to keep it updated?
I teach at the same gym as John A. I do my class like an outdoor ride and not the zone 5 sprints and jumps the aerobic queens do. I find I get the folks who actually ride a bike in my class and not those who are just there for another aerobics class. It is a lot of fun and you meet some cool people.
Top 5 reasons to do it. Getting paid to work out. As close to being a pro as I will ever get. Free gym membership. Discounts on pro shop items and training equipment. It does force you to train when you don’t feel like it. Did I mention you are getting paid to work out?
Dave
certification is directly through the Spinning® program. i am very lucky to work at a great facility which the program’s “Master Instructors” love to use for initial orientation classes along with workshops throughout the year. so i don’t have to travel for CE. we get folks from throughout the midwest coming here for those. its a couple hundred for orientation and the CE workshops average about 100 bucks. you need about 3 CE’s a year to stay certified.
the base program or certification really is a critical issue. i’ve taken classes at other shops which are not Spinning® certified just to see what they do. some are okay but most were downright dangerous. lots don’t promote use of HRM’s. Some do the strangest things i’ve ever heard of on a bike. i don’t even want to get into that here.
Thanks to all for your posting, I guess I didn’t think about the free access to gym… 
I teach 3 classes a week and think that, overall, teaching indoor cycling is great. The money is not a motivation (though it is nice to get paid to exerceise and to not worry about gym fees); I imagine most folks here would make more money if they simply worked their real job for the time that hey were exercising.
This next comment will probably rankle the “Spinners” out there. While my club started off as a Spinning facility, it now simply offers indoor cycling classes. In my opinion, this is for the best. There is nothing you need to know to teach a cycling class other than how to structure intervals into a workout to work the various aerobic energy systems. (Oh, and you need to know CPR to work in a gym, at least in CA.) Most athletes already know how to do this and, if they don’t, can spend a couple of hours on the internet reading articles to learn what they need to know. One certainly does not need a full day class costing hundreds of dollars and then “continuing education” on top of that.
Though I was initially cerified as a Spinning instructor, I have never taught classes in that manner. My classes are the same workouts that I would do in my garage on my trainer (SFR, AT intervals, VO2Max intervals, etc.)
I imagine that the Spinning devotees out there will tout the “mind-body connection” that Spinning attempts to foster. And that is fine, if that is what you want from a workout. However, if I want that, I hit the yoga studio downstairs. Any mind-body synergy that I get while working out on the bike (or on a run, or in the pool) is born of that discipline and does not need to be (and, for me, cannot be) overtly foisted onto the workout.
I watch 3 classes a week - while I run on the track - and think that, overall, watching indoor cycling is great.
I know what got you going, too.
You sat in on one of my spin classes and said “Shit, they’re PAYING this flaming moron to spin HIS favorite tunes and bark into a microphone while we all pretend to ride somewhere.”
Money for nothin’ and chicks for free!
If ya’ll would stop letting hot, sweaty, scantily clad chicks interrupt your concentration…you might have a chance at the next triforfun ;).
ot
Damn, dude, it ain’t about the bike, it’s about learning how to run 3.2 miles in 15 minutes…
"You sat in on one of my spin classes and said “Shit, they’re PAYING this flaming moron to spin HIS favorite tunes and bark into a microphone while we all pretend to ride somewhere.” "
Yup - all I do is play Detroit Rock City in a continuois loop!
I could never get my gym to go for a 90 minute class, though. I have to do those on my own.