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Hear hear Jpgirl thanks for being another 'freestyler' who can put together a well presented great workout and who is their for their members!! I feel that I really 'connect' with my class too, whether its freestyle or pre choreo....I love my pre choreo stuff(Attack balance and pump) but lately have been feeling that I am losing the ability to put together great freestyle aerobic classes whereas with my studio cycle/spin class I just feel I get better and better....I would imagine that many instructors who have NEVER taught any freestyle would possibly struggle to make up their own class without totally pinching ideas from les mills.

I have taught freestyle for 10 years before becoming a convert to pre choreo in 2005, but still want to have a hand in freestyle especially as our new boss at head office doesnt really rate pre choreo stuff and demands that we can teach both with passion and flair.  

Anyway this is by no means a rant at pre choreo or a complaining post - but rather that the pre choreo folks have a respect for those of us that dont teach their programmes 

 

Hello all you freestylers, 

I guess I need to expand/explain the response to Dan M. that I posted yesterday.  I, like Dan, DID NOT mean to malign all fresstyle cycling classes and instructors.  As I said yesterday, "In my experience," over the past 10 years, I have not been "WOWED" by any freestyle class, aalthough I do have some freestyle instructors that I love but it is bec. of their personalities not necessarily the workout. 

 I was "WOWED" by my first RPM class and have been "WOWED" ever since.  Hence, I became certified in RPM.  Through RPM, we rebuilt the cycle program at one of the gyms I work for.  For several years, they had struggled with one freestyler after another.  But that was here at one particluar gym. There are some gyms here that have very strong freesyle programs but they are instructor based successes.  When that instructor leaves, class attendenace dies.  RPM succeeds on its program.  To become certified in any Les Mills format is a rigorous process, including the submission of a video done with a live class.  There is ongoing education every quarter with every release. Les Mills sets the bar high for its instructors, so you know that you are getting quality.  And I will admit there are some instructors that are better than others in the LM family.

No matter what format, we as instructors have an obligation to bring the best workout we can to our participants.  I think that is one of the many reasons RPM is so successful.  The rides are filled with "purpose" anmd "connection." Each of us delivers the same material with a slightly different twist, which makes it interesting and motivating.

Some of my best friends are freestylers and I intend tio keep them!!  But I do take offense at those who slam RPM without ever having experiened the ride.

I can't wait for Release #39 to hit in June... it just keeps getting better and better!   (Sorry for being so long-winded but as my friends will attest, I am a bit passionate about RPM!)

MMO Rockville, Maryland USA

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Margaret O'Rourke RPM Addict

Hi guys,

Just my two cents:  RPM has nothing to prove whatsoever.  Among cyclists, it's the indoor program of choice, bar none.

I haven't seen any other indoor cycling program which replicates outdoor riding positions and effectively acts as a training aid in the same way.

I know it's not necessarily about the cyclists and I know it has to be accessible to everyone, but there are a number of other things RPM has right which bring a lot to the table:

- The cadence ladder.  People understand that, in RPM, the beat is important.  the whole exercise is centered on it.

- RPM is way, way safer.  I see people in freestyle classes spinning their asses off and not setting up their bikes and I wonder how such a situation can come to pass in the world of modern exercise science.

It almost sounds like you're frustrated that others get this stuff so wrong so often and yet the exercising public don't notice.  Well, they're starting to notice - they notice what classes the cyclists go to, they notice that there's something more 'connected' about the RPM program.

Sorry to rant uncontrollably, but I'm sure RPM will have its day in the sun! :) 

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-- Alasdair.

I agree with some of many of the posts here .... regaurdless of style, RPM, Freestyle, or Spinning the instructor can make a huge difference. Now that I read these post I'm sure I will be blasted for my post. RPM vs. Spinning, lots of you RPMer's out there or at least  on this site. And I will be the frist to say I have attened class at LA fitness in Peoria, AZ that are by far the worst on the planet taught by Spinning instructors.

If you do the event, let me know, I would love to compete or send the instructor down from Rain Fitness in Seattle. He was in Venice, CA when Spin was invented so many years ago.

Hi Dan,

 

How are you? I see the benefits of RPM but as a preference I love designing my own intervals. It's not about what program is better. It's aboutt improving people's fitness and at the same time improving their performance in bike racing and triathlons. I enjoy the freedom to incorporate the exercise science to the class and make it unique and inspiring.

 

 

take care,

 

spencer

I get feedback almost weekly about this exact topic from members who travel with their jobs. When they return they say things like, "It's so good to be back. Nothing compares to RPM." or "They had a spin class there but it was bad, boring, without direction, etc.." I do think a LOT of it has to do with the instructor and how challenging and motivating they are. For me, there is so much science behind why we do what we do in RPM and that makes it so easy to educate our members on why it is we are doing what we are doing on the bike. We have quite a few outdoor riders in class and they LOVE RPM. Our members also love the whole heart rate monitor thing. To them it's instantaneous feedback on how hard they are working and it's a big motivator for them. Les Mills makes it so easy to teach a fantastic class. Our members are grateful and they show it in their attendance and in their spirit. Every class is a working party!!

I must say that I'm disappointed to see this post and its subject.  If you're truly interested in having a charitable event and raising money for a good cause, the first and foremost issue should be the charity and how the event will benefit the charity.

Additionally, why not take the voting aspect out your proposed event?  Good-hearted people will ride to benefit the charity and instead of a popularity contest, a ride such as the one you propose, could better work to unify cyclists (both indoor and out and regardless of program) while raising awareness and funds for a particular organization.

I've chosen NOT to read beyond the initial post....as I'm sure the content rapidly deteriorated into one that pits types of indoor cycling against each other.  What is our purpose as instructors?  To argue about which program is better or to make the lives of our participants better as WE lead them down the road of fitness.

Stand Strong.

I think the compation is a great idea but does not prove the best program just a great instructor or coach. i teach both programs spin and rpm. Both have merits and downfalls my work rate done by heart rate and calories burnt are very simular but we all know the dangers of heart rate alone.

My personal view of traditional spin programs are that they are very dull music is not all that to be honest and some of the lead instructors are uninspiring with long periods of the same excerise. i teach freestyle and when i combine merits of several programs including RPM i get a great class because i have the tools to do so but it is hard work. RPM is however great as i just learn the tracks add my personality and bang we have what i hope is magic! But i do know RPM instructors which leave me the same way as a spin instructor. this leads me to this equation:

Great work out = great instructor + great knowledge + great use of fitness tools

ok blah blah yes both classes have their merits BUT for total experience, i.e.

hard core instructor, knowledgable, experienced (in teaching, but also weight loss, fitness), inspiring, great music mixing and a fabulous singing, dancing like a fool in the dark like no one is watching

RPM all the way

esp in central melbourne on a monday night 

JMHO 

Perfectly said and with FAR fewer words than I ... well done Flossyflower.  Thanks!

Like Dan M. said, I need to make a note about writing when I am emotional :-) I do tend to go on and on and on ...

Margaret O.

Rockville, Maryland USA

 

 

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Margaret O'Rourke RPM Addict

Hi JPGirl,

You said it!  I agree with you that freestyle (Spinning) is totally cool.  I have found that the training for each has enhanced the other immensely and allowed me to provide a much rounder program out to my students.  It is all about your students.  Freestyle and chorey are distinctly different and it's cool when you can focus on those differences and make it work.  Both programs kick butt and both my SPIN and RPM classes are packed prove it!  

Hear the barking dog thing.   I get really good speed when I ask my students to visualize a pit bull at their heels.  LOL! 

 

 

 

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Leslie