Why did you start taking Spinning® classes?
Before training as an instructor, I had only ever taken one indoor cycling class and it was most definitely not a Spinning® class. I arrived to work one day to be told I had to take the class that evening. I had never been in one before so one of my colleagues helped me out and let me sit in on his indoor cycling class that afternoon before helping me put together a class for that evening.
What inspired you to become a Certified Spinning® Instructor and then a Master Instructor?
Simple- I hated the position I was in for that first indoor cycling class and told my boss I would never do it again unless I was trained properly to do it. She admired my attitude and she encouraged me to get the best certification and training out there, hence I became a Spinning® Instructor with Sarah Morelli in Dublin in 2000.As soon as I did that course with Sarah, I was hooked. I have a massive curiosity about training and the physiological effects on the body. Spinning® seemed to open that door to encourage me to keep learning and develop my own knowledge a lot more. I was hungry for knowledge and kept going to continuing education weekend and events (mainly in the UK) and just became immersed. I honestly hadn't overly considered the option to become an MI as soon as it came about in late 2006 but am so glad I had the support of the rest of the UK and Ireland Team in doing so.
What do you love about teaching Spinning® classes?
The variety and individuality it allows in training. There are so many incredible instructors out there who can lead participants of all levels to their goals by using so many varied methods. It's not one size fits all like some programmes.
What are your top three favorite songs to play during your Spinning® classes and why?
This one changes regularly...
- "Portishead Roads"- Sultan & Tone remi)
- "The National About Today"- Dimo P Remix
- "London Grammar"- Nightcall
What makes Spinning® such a great workout?
I love the fact that the group fitness environment allows your own personal workout or training session to be so much more!
Share a memory from your experience as a teacher/coach/presenter that embodies the value of being a Certified Spinning® Instructor or Spinning® Master Instructor?
Without being too specific I have received a lot of emails and messages over the years from instructors I have trained saying how training with me has enabled them to develop, change their perspective on something and generally just be better instructors. My favorite one actually comes form a friend of mine who was participating in the Etape du Tour with me a few years ago. Although we were separated, when he got to the top of Mont Ventoux, he walked up and gave me a huge hug. When I asked what that was for, he said he'd had my voice in his head for the last 100 kilometer guiding and motivating him with things I had said in my Spinning classes.
What advice would you give to someone who is thinking about becoming a Certified Spinning Instructor?
Just do it- it will make such a difference to your training and instructing.
What’s one of your favorite quotes?
The training you do is only as good as the posture you hold while doing it! Do you have a hero in the Spinning community, someone who deserves recognition for their leadership? Absolutely - Sandro Morelli!! Before becoming an MI myself, I attended a lot of continuing education courses - some with Sandro. It was always Sandro's relaxed method of imparting information and of making me think that left me wanting more from myself and my work. He makes it look so easy on stage and when he teaches too. When he speaks- you listen!! Luckily for me and the rest of the UK and Ireland team, we get to work with him regularly and call him a friend!
Is there anything about you that would surprise people?
This will probably shock anyone who has met me at events but I am a really a very quiet person!Brian McKenna is the Operations Manager at SPORTSCO in Dublin, Ireland since December 2007. From Limerick, Ireland he has a long history of competitive sport including Gaelic football, soccer and hurling playing on many representative teams. He has been in the fitness and leisure industry for nearly 20 years and is respected as a very experienced trainer and educator in many areas of our industry whilst also sitting on a number of expert panels for REPS Ireland. He holds a B.A. and National Diploma in Recreation and Leisure from the Waterford Institute of Technology and has been a Spinning Master Instructor since March 2007.
