This month we sat down with Barbara Lubbers, the assistant general manager and a cycling instructor at Club Greenwood, to discuss how to create the best indoor cycling program.
Describe your indoor cycling studio and program.
We have Stages bikes and use their software system, Stages Flight, which our members and instructors both love. The accountability the program creates makes for challenging and productive workouts. Aside from that, our classes are very instructor driven, with each person bringing their own style and personality to their classes.
What does it take to run a great cycling program?
No. 1 in my opinion is instructor passion — passion for cycling and, primarily, a passion for serving our members. Also, we provide the best experience possible for members through our personalities, our programming and our music. Above all, the key to a superior cycling class is a superior instructor.
How can indoor cycling engage members?
Being in a room with a group of members gives us a tremendous opportunity. We can get to know them by name and find out more about them individually and in that, learn how to motivate and encourage them to do their best. Some people cycle indoors to complement their outdoor riding. Some people only cycle indoors as part of our group fitness program. We try to teach to both.
Say I’m building a studio from scratch. What should I keep in mind?
A great sound system, good ventilation with plenty of fans, enough space between bikes for member comfort, tiers with the instructor below is a plus and a darker room with accent-colored lights.
To learn more about Barbara Lubbers, connect with her on LinkedIn.
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Taylor Gabhart is the editor of Club Solutions Magazine. She can be reached at taylor@peakemedia.com.
