Some thoughts and discussions from me.
Spinning Instructor Training Review
Hi guys!
Yesterday was a busy day that started with training clients, sneaking in a run for myself, working for KIND in Denver (at WF!) and then meeting these lovely ladies for dinner:
Erin’s in town for Great American Beer Fest, and it was so good to see her. She was one of my roommates at Blend, and I’ve been looking forward to her visit ever since!
Today I thought I’d talk to you all about my Spinning Instructor Training that I went to in Denver during the tail-end of the Boulder county flood.
About 6 months ago, I knew I wanted to get certified to teach indoor cycling. I used to take RPM all the time, and really missed taking cycling classes, and thought it was about time to take the plunge and get certified. After researching and asking around, I learned that Spinning (Mad Dogg) is one of the most highly regarded certifications in the industry.
Spinning’s main principles focus on quality and safety. On cycle-inspired rides and classes. It focuses on sound training, coaching, and a mind/body connection.
Unfortunately, I learned there were absolutely no Instructor Trainings available near Boulder for the rest of the year. I looked around at other certs, but kind of put it on the back burner because I really wanted Mad Dog Spinning. Luckily, I randomly checked back on the website about a month ago to learn that they had listed one just 45 miles from my house, in Denver!
Becoming a certified Spinning instructor is a lot different than becoming a certified personal trainer. There’s no 12 week courses offered on it, no months of studying, and no 4-hour long test at a specific facility at the end. It’s just one, long (9-hr) day of everything and anything Spinning.
A couple weeks before the class, I received the Spinning Instructor Training Manual on my doorstep. To be completely honest, it stayed in its sealed packaging until the night before… Luckily, the instructor didn’t expect us to be studied up before the training.
My particular training was from 8-5 on a Sunday, taught by Angie Sturtevant. Angie’s actually the developer of one of Spinning’s newest programs, SpinPower, so it was interesting to hear her take on that.
What I didn’t realize, and some others might not realize as well, was that the instructor training course only touched on the first part of the book. After the nine hour course, we were then expected to study the rest of the manual, and then practice on our own.
What did the 9 hour class cover?
- 8:00-10:00 – learning bike set up, hand positions, and movements
- 10:00-12:00 on spin bikes, practicing what we learned
- 12:00-1:00 lunch
- 1:00-3:30 – learning and applying cueing, advanced movements, and class/training design
- 3:30-5:00 – back in the saddle, taking a spinning class from the instructor
At the end of the day, we all met back in the classroom, where Angie signed our Spinning Orientation Certificate of Completion
This is, again, the first part of becoming certified. Next, is the studying and practicing on your own, and then taking the online test. After you take the online test, you receive your official Certified Spinning Instructor card in the mail:
Pretty nifty 
My overall thoughts on the program? I think the basic principles and guidelines behind the Spinning program are sound. I’m not a fan of adding fancy, unnecessary movements in any realm of fitness, when it compromises safety, and neither is Spinning. The program and manual are thorough, easily understandable, and comprehensive. However, I thought I’d get more out of the 9 hour class. I felt like it should be spread out over two 9-hour days to cover the material. Obviously, this would cost a lot more money, and take more time and effort, but I think hands on learning is worth it, and very important.
What do you feel is a better way to learn? A 1-2 hour class that lasts weeks, or a 1 (or 2) really long days of learning?
(((sharing)))
That’s awesome that you’re getting your spinning certification. Seems like a long process – but it makes sense. I used to take spin classes all the time! And learning how to properly set up your bike is a whole process just on it’s own! 😉
-Sammy @ http://www.peaceandloveandicecream.com
Sammy @ Peace Love and Ice Cream recently posted…WOD – October 9, 2013
Definitely interesting! I just took my first spin class last weekend, and while it wasn’t my favourite means of cardio, it was pretty fun. I’m sure you’ll enjoy teaching it!
Sam @ Better With Sprinkles recently posted…Roasted Buttercup Squash and Pumpkin Soup.
I started teaching indoor cycling at LA Fitness last year after a 5-ish hour training through Kaiser. I’ve never done any other kind of fitness certification, so I don’t have anything to compare it to. But in my experience, the only way to really learn how to teach spinning is by…teaching spinning. Not long before I started teaching, a friend told me that for her work, she just had to fake it till she made it. That was my motto, and it worked!
Bethany,
I belong to LA Fitness and would love to get Cert for Spin and teach at my local gym. What steps did you have to take at LA Fitnes to get hired? Just curious on the interview process once Certified.
Thanks!
Tara
Tara – it was pretty easy in my experience. At my training, I talked to two activities directors who were looking for instructors. One of them was looking for an instructor at a gym that I really liked, so I did an “audition” for her. The audition was an abbreviated class demonstration to show that I could do bike set up, a few drills, a cool down, and a stretch. And that was it! Since LA Fitness requires that you have two classes on your regular schedule, there was a little bit of juggling to get a workable schedule for me, but it wasn’t a huge deal. Good luck!
I’ve always been interested in spinning, and I would love to take a class. I think I would probably learn the best over several long days. I agree with you-one day is probably not enough!
Natalie @ Free Range Human recently posted…Backcountry Gourmet
Wow. I’ve never done spinning but have been thinking about it. It’s interesting to see a bit about what instructor training is like. Are there any pre-reqs to taking the instructor training?
Running Hutch recently posted…Fast and Full Recovery Workout
congratulations!
I have always wanted to get certified for spinning but I am not really into updating my Ipod, and I had thought to get certified, you would have to make up your own spin class, with your own music.
Maybe I need to look into this! I would love to teach spin!! First step into getting my Personal Training Cert!
SO cool that you did this! Good review too.
I don’t love spinning, so I’ve never gotten certified, but I agree with you in the sense that longer trainings are WAY more beneficial. Les Mills’ initial trainings used to be 3 days actually, but then they cut them down to 2. I was trained when it was 3 and my mind was BLOWN it was so amazing.
I am soo interested in doing this and have my eye on a training coming up in my area. Do you think someone who isn’t a personal trainer will find everything as easy as you did? How long between the 9 hour training and before your took your exam online? Is the exam long? Thanks!
Kaitlin @4loveofcarrots recently posted…Cut yourself a break
Most likely. I think it’d be good to read up on the body’s energy systems, aerobic/anaerobic capacity, and heart rate/RHR/MHR, etc. But other than that, I think you could learn most of it from the class and manual and be good to go 🙂
Thank you so much for this review! I’m doing the same certification in November and I’m ridiculously excited! The biggest question I have is how to get hired to teach classes after certification! It seems so impossible-I would love to hear how this goes for you!
Aurora@Fitness is Sweet recently posted…Sweater Weather
Interesting. I think two-part training (or multi-part) is better because it gives you time to process all the new information.
Coco recently posted…Six Reasons Why Giant Pick-Up Service Doesn’t Work For Me
I’m definitely still very surprised that the training is so short and well.. easy! And it hasn’t changed really at all since I got certified almost 5 years ago. I LOVED the training- but yeah- it could’ve been 2 days easily.
I’m so happy for you though- welcome to the family! 🙂
Lauren @ Me and the Mountains recently posted…Backpacker Gear & Go Tour [+ The Amazing Race!]
I’m so glad I got to see you!!!! Hopefully we get to hang out again sooner rather than later.
I love that you included it on your spinning class update too. I’m looking forward to hearing how you like teaching spinning!
Agreed! Was a lot of fun. Now I need to visit your neck of the woods 😉