Spinning® has a lot of its own terminology, so take notes on all the terms you hear and what they mean. For example, “gear up” means increase the resistance on your bike, and the “resistance knob” is what you use to increase or decrease the resistance on your bike. [1] X Research source Invest in proper workout clothing before you get serious about Spinning® . Get a good pair of cycling shorts and a sports bra if you need one. Bring a towel to class to wipe your sweat off, and don’t forget to bring plenty of water!
Different group fitness classes focus on different parts of the body. Some may incorporate weights or other equipment, while others focus only on using your own body. A variety of fitness activities will help you raise your heart rate in different ways and build up full-body endurance. Examples of other group fitness classes to try include Zumba® or kickboxing. [2] X Trustworthy Source Harvard Medical School Harvard Medical School’s Educational Site for the Public Go to source
Learn how different seat positions on indoor bikes can affect your workout, and how to setup and adjust seat positions on different types of bikes. [3] X Research source
Some studios are more focused on just the intense cycling portion of Spinning®. Think about what kinds of classes you would like to teach and find an appropriate studio.
Make sure you have a good base knowledge of Spinning and a high level of endurance before you begin try outs to improve your chances of getting accepted. [6] X Research source Sometimes a studio might accept you into their training program if you are a regular and they like your style and energy. Build up a rapport with the studio by attending classes regularly and showing off your riding skills. The cost of these training programs varies based on location and the studio you have chosen. Expect to spend up to about $325 USD on the certification program. [7] X Research source
Depending on the studio, the training program could last anywhere from 4 weeks to several months. The frequency of the training classes and their duration completely depends on the studio you attend. The training classes could last anywhere from 1-3 hours and could occur just 1 time per week or more frequently. Make sure you have enough availability to complete the entire training program. Many boutique studios keep their training programs a secret, so you won’t know exactly what you will be doing until you are actually accepted into the program.
It is not as competitive to get into an online course, and they can cost as little as $70 USD, so they are a good alternative if you can’t get into a training program at a studio or can’t afford it.
In addition to the Spinning® certification, you may also want to take a generic group fitness instructor certification. You can get this by enrolling in a certification program through one of several organizations and passing an exam. In the USA, there are 5 different organizations through which you can get certified, but it is different in every country.
Try to forget about anything else going on in your life while you audition for the job. Just focus on the class and the music and let yourself shine. [11] X Research source Remember to be energetic and motivate your students with positive feedback and words of encouragement. Keep in mind that there could be people of all levels in your class, from beginners to expert spinners.
Some studios may include an audition as part of their training program. In this case you should be thinking about your first class throughout the training process and be prepared to audition when the training is over. Be open to feedback and suggestions from other spinning instructors or students as you develop your first class. A normal Spinning® class is 45 minutes long, and can have as few as 4 and as many as 15 people in it. In general, choose fast-paced and upbeat music. Switch up the pace of the music every now and then to allow for periods of rest. Bring your chosen playlist to the studio on a device like your phone that can connect to the studio’s sound system.
Be open to working at different locations or at different hours at first. This will help you work your way up in the studio, as well as provide you will lots of valuable experience in different settings. Don’t expect spinning to be your full-time job right away. You may need to keep your day job or have a side hustle for a while until you get more hours as an instructor. [14] X Research source
Keep attending the Spinning® classes of other instructors to get new ideas and see what other instructors are doing in their classes. Take other types of group fitness classes as well. Try to note one positive thing that the instructor did that you can apply to your classes. [16] X Research source Remember that the actual fitness part of your class is only part of why people will keep coming back. You want people to choose your class because they like your personality, your music, and the way that you teach the class and make them feel.