I’ve compiled a quick list of ways you can kick start your inspiration and get back on top of the world again. While this list has specific inspirations for indoor cycling and Spinning instructors, the advice can certainly be adapted for any type of fitness instructor or personal trainer. But don’t worry, I’ve already started a list for group fitness instructors, which will be posted in a day or two.

1. Go back and review the Three things every instructor should do. Then start working on those three things!
2. Read one or both Jennifer Sage’s ebooks: Keep It Real in your indoor cycling classesand 10 Ways to Stay Motivated as an Indoor Cycle Instructor. (Bonus! 10 Ways to Stay Motivated is free when you claim your Subscription to ICI/PRO!!!
3. Speaking of ICI/PRO, you really should claim your subscription now and start filling your noggin with knowledge. I haven’t even combed the entire site, and I’ve already got a years worth of ideas just waiting to be implemented!!! The best part to me are the Audio PROfiles — you learn how a Master Instructor constructs and coaches a class. It’s worth several times more than what you pay for it, but even so, they give you a trial week for $1 just to show you.
4. Ride alone as often as you can. Use this time to explore what it is that makes you uniquely qualified to empower others through indoor cycling. Use the time to listen to music that is outside your comfort zone and try out new profiles. It’s an investement in yourself that pays back HUGE dividends!
5. Call Mad Dogg Athletics and find out who the Master Instructors in your area are and where they teach classes. Contact that gym for their schedule and commit to taking a class from them as soon as you possibly can. If you have to travel to get there, you should try to contact the MI to let them know when you will be coming, that way you can find out if they are actually teaching that day (MIs need subs occasionally too!) (**Side note — lots of the Spinning MIs share their knowledge at pedal-on.com. You can seek them out there too!) And of course, if you are certified to Schwinn or another group, you can contact them too, I just happen to love the Spinning MIs I know!
6. Set aside some quiet time to do something refreshing for yourself, like getting a massage, spending time in prayer or meditation, or reading an inspiring book (If you are into motivational books, I recommend Matthew Kelly’s book Perfectly Yourself: 9 Lessons for Enduring Happiness.)
7. Sign up for the next continuing education workshop or conference that will be in your vicinity. Do a little research on the presenters and take classes from the ones you determine have the most to offer you, not just those that will offer you something of entertainment value.
8. Make some lists!!! Make a list of all of the reasons you started teaching. Make a list of all the reasons you continue to teach. Make a list of all of the reasons you are a good teacher and a list of all of the ways you want to be a better teacher. You’ll be amazed at what seeing it written down on paper can do!
9. Call a friend or another instructor you trust who will be honest with you and arrange for them to come to your class. Ask them to be brutally honest about what they think were the best aspects of your coaching and which areas need improvement.
10. Take more classes. Take any kind of class, it doesn’t just have to be IDC. Take yoga, take kickboxing, photography, Physics. Take anything that shakes you up and challenges you to take another look at the world. While you are there, you might learn something new and absorb a new cue, and new concept, something you can incorporate into your own classes.
11. Take a break. Get your classes subbed out for the next 2 or 3 weeks and recharge your batteries. You can’t give what you don’t have, so use the time away to feed yourself. It’ll give you lots of time to do all of the other things on this list!
12. Plan a special event at your club. It can be a fundraising ride or a journey ride or a race day or a threshold test or anything that is different and unique and brings people together for something special. Put extra effort into creating the atmosphere of something valuable and one-of-a-kind. Bonus points for giving back to your community in some way!!

There are tons more ways to kick start your inspiration, but these are the ones that I have tried and that were instrumental in bring me to this high point where I am at now! I’d love to hear your experiences, your suggestions, and how you are doing in your personal journey! Leave a comment. The boxes don’t bite!

Atlanta, GA
Boston, MA
Charleston, SC
Chicago, IL
Columbia, SC
Dallas, TX
Denver, CO
Ft. Lauderdale / South FL
Kansas City, KS
Las Vegas, NV
Los Angeles, CA
Nashville, TN
New York, NY
Orlando, FL
Phoenix, AZ
Raleigh, NC / Chapel Hill
Richmond, VA
Sacramento, CA
San Antonio, TX
San Jose, CA / Bay Area
Washington, D.C. Maryland

They have a couple of early-bird specials posted on the site — if you register before December 31, 2009, you can get discounts on training materials and some of their other courses. See you in Charleston!

AFAA APEX

• The Chic Life – “AFAA Primary Certification Day”
• Goodboy Norman Featherstone – “AFAA  Cerification Training”
• Geek Turned Athlete – AFAA Primary Group Exercise Certification

If you have blogged about your experience with the AFAA certification process, please share your links with us by leaving a comment.

San Diego, CA
Los Angeles, CA
Stamford, CT
Jacksonville, FL
St. Louis, MO
Charlotte, NC
Denver, NC
Long Island, NY
New York, NY
Columbus, OH
Philadelphia, PA
Memphis, TN
Houston, TX

If you are interested, check out the website to get registered: http://www.afaaapex.com

http://www.indoorcycleinstructor.com

Operation Boot Camp

I learned about Operation Boot Camp from a friend of mine who lost 20 pounds through the program.  These instructors took exercise and weight loss out of the gym and out to the parks of Atlanta.  They have a great following and an excellent product which includes nutrition advice, early morning workouts, and motivational assistance (if you don’t show up, you get a call and extra pushups!).  I saw them featured on a CNN health segment.  You can see what they have going on at their website.

 Bella Vita Retreat

 Can you imagine being paid to take groups of men and women to tropical resorts and teach classes to them on the beach?  My friend is doing it with her new business and I can’t tell you green with envy I am that I didn’t think of that!  Her travel packages include hotel arrangements, spa-style meals, personal coaching, indoor and outdoor fitness classes and beauty treatments.  What a treat and what a money maker!