Friday, September 9th, 2011
Coaches / Instructors – Go Hollywood Baby!
By Tom Scotto
Take out the lights, put on some make-up and setup the cameras. You are about to be the star of your next class. Since joining Cycling Fusion, I’ve been thrust into the world of video and spend more time in front of a camera than I like. Between our digital classes, virtual rides, ads [...]
Wednesday, August 31st, 2011
Make it Real. Make it Last.
By Tom Scotto
(A PEP TALK – because we all need some empowerment from time to time)
Although I thought I would be preaching to the choir on this topic, I believe we need to stay inspired as much as anyone. We are the ones using all of our energies to change the face of indoor cycling. We [...]
Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011
“Virtually” Riding
By Tom Scotto
So I decided to lead my first virtual ride this past week. In my true style, I didn’t just try it in one of my classes but at all 5 clubs. I like to just throw myself into things so I can learn and experience while the iron is hot. For those [...]
Friday, August 12th, 2011
You Da Coach: Are You In My Black Book?
By Tom Scotto
We talk a lot about becoming more than just instructors in our indoor cycling classes. We want to be coaches. We are coaches! I’ve spent the last 20 years coaching riders and teams on the road and half that indoors. Anyone who has taken one of my classes knows that “coaching” [...]
Friday, August 5th, 2011
1-Legged Drills
By Tom Scotto
We know it is safe to keep both feet attached to the pedals and simply focus on one leg at a time, but is it safe, and should we unclip one foot to perform pedal stroke drills in our indoor cycling classes?
To stay on point I’m not going to discuss if and why 1-legged drills [...]
Friday, July 29th, 2011
Taking Care of YOU
By Tom Scotto
I asked a few indoor cycling instructors how often they take time off from teaching and all I got was ………………….. Yup, dead stares and dead silence. What are you taking about? You know, like taking a week off from teaching – a little R&R? Once they understood the question (which I [...]
Friday, July 22nd, 2011
Identity Crisis – Who Are You Talking To?
By Tom Scotto
In a single indoor cycling class we can have a combination of beginners, cycling enthusiasts, competitive athletes, fit and unfit. We have those who are just interested in some cardio fitness, some with a focus on weight loss and others desiring cycling-specific training. There are the young, the old and everyone in-between. [...]
Friday, July 15th, 2011
How to Start a Beginner Class at Your Club
By Tom Scotto
Before we talk about how to get a beginner class started, the first question you need to answer is why? Not, why does my club need a beginner class, but why do YOU want to lead one (if this is your plan)? As an instructor starting a beginner class you need 3 main [...]
Wednesday, July 6th, 2011
Give ‘em Some TDF
By Tom Scotto
If you are one of those instructors who loves to bring the experience of riding outdoors to your indoor riders, now is the time to get them excited. Give them a taste of the Tour de France and introduce them to some of the fun we enjoy during this special time of year. [...]
Sunday, June 26th, 2011
Will Indoor Cycling Make My Legs Big?
By Tom Scotto
“Will indoor cycling make my legs big?” I’ve been asked this question a number of times over the years. A few people told me their personal trainers told them that. Others just made the assumption based on the fact that we are constantly using our legs (not a bad assumption). The question was [...]
Wednesday, June 8th, 2011
Tom and Gene in Spain
By Tom Scotto
The look on my face says everything! That’s real mountain climbing, at Threshold, in Spain.
I was in Spain last week with Gene Nacey to film another in the series of Global Ride Indoor Cycling DVDs
If you have a few minutes I encourage you to watch the short video below where Gene and I relax with [...]
Thursday, December 23rd, 2010
Where in the World is Tom Scotto?
By Tom Scotto
Wow!! What an end to 2010. First let me apologize for falling off the map on our blog (and other things as well). Stage5 Cycling has had a tremendous year. Our team (in its first year) cleaned house on the New England road racing circuit, our coached athletes won pro races, [...]
Friday, August 13th, 2010
Victory After the Tourmalet!
By Tom Scotto
One of the traditions for my indoor cycling classes is to simulate stages of the Tour de France during the 3 weeks of the tour. This year we did stages 6, 14 and 17. After the last stage and Tour was over, my riders were left a bit wanting for the European style rides [...]
Saturday, July 17th, 2010
Scoot(er) Over!
By Tom Scotto
It is great how many people are taking alternative transportation to work. Particularly those who travel in and out of the city. I aplaud you! Down near the Longwood Medical Area where I teach, there are stream of 4 to 5 connected bike racks that are busting with bikes to the point where not an [...]
Friday, May 14th, 2010
There’s No App For That
By Tom Scotto
During an email exchange among indoor cycling instructors earlier this week, I was reminded of an odd happening in my class a couple of weeks ago..
Friday, May 7th, 2010
The Beautiful Sound of Squealing Brakes!
By Tom Scotto
I’m one of those guys that likes my bike to purr. The chain needs to sound like silk passing through one’s hand and the wheels just emitting a subtle, steady hum. Shifting should be effortless and almost undetected. I’m sure I’m not alone in this. I’ve been fortunate over the years and have mostly ridden [...]
Friday, April 30th, 2010
How Versatile are You?
By Tom Scotto
As indoor cycling instructors, we each cop a style. We may be the high energy instructor, drill sergeant, mind-body guru or coach. Generally speaking, whatever style we gravitate toward usually determines how we approach our workouts from week to week.
A few of weeks ago, a couple of riders approached me after class and said “wow, [...]
Friday, April 16th, 2010
I Almost Died (For Real!!)
By Tom Scotto
I just finished teaching an indoor cycling class at Fitcorp in the Longwood Medical Area and was heading home on Brookline Ave. It was about 2:15 PM on Thursday afternoon and the traffic was heavy but not ridiculous.
I approach an 18-wheeler double-parked in front of Star Market. Stopped next to the 18-wheeler (and in my lane) [...]
Friday, February 19th, 2010
Goni & Bob – Bike Setup for the Tough Customer
By Tom Scotto
All of us at times has had a rider in our class that is not setup correctly. You’ve tried to approach them about their position (without cringing). Maybe their seat is way too low as if they were riding a BMX bike. Possibly their seat is too high as they appear to tip-toe through your [...]
Friday, January 15th, 2010
They Were In Shock – The Adventures of Creating an Indoor Cycling Certification
By Tom Scotto
You don’t want to continually warn people how hard your certification testing is because it always sounds like you’re just trying to hype things up. That was never our intention. We just wanted to give folks a heads-up that this may not be what they’ve experienced in the past. Despite the warnings and [...]
