Evaluating Your Instructors

PERFORMANCE REVIEWS

By ensuring your Spinning® instructors are well-trained, supported and informed, you help us maintain the integrity and quality of the Spinning® program, the most recognized and respected brand name in indoor cycling.

By supporting your instructors and helping them improve through performance reviews, you can help keep the Spinning® program consistent, safe and fun for all class participants. In doing so, you’ll also create a strong, successful Spinning® program and a class environment that fosters camaraderie, health and fun.

We’ve developed a wealth of resources to help keep your Spinning® program on the cutting edge by staying true to tradition, the Spinning® philosophy and core fundamentals. That’s why we developed the Spinning® Program Instructor Performance Review to help you manage, motivate and retain the best instructors in the industry.

The instructors are graded on a basis of Excellent, Satisfactory and Needs Improvement (E, S, and NI). In addition, we’ve provided a comment section where you can explain your observations. We recommend you hold feedback meetings with your instructors to discuss strengths and areas that need improvement.

The following guide is intended to help guide you through each of the sections identified on the Performance Review worksheet.

GUIDE TO PERFORMANCE REVIEW

Pre-class

Creating a memorable, fun ride profile takes time, preparation and an understanding of what makes a good class great. The more prepared an instructor is, the more respect members will have for the program—and for your facility.

• Time of Arrival : Does the instructor arrive at least 15 minutes before class to greet riders and set up the music and microphone?
• Bike Setup : Does the instructor check new riders’ bike setups before class? Are adjustments made to ensure proper alignment? Are pop-pins secured?
• Pre-Workout Music : Does the instructor play low volume music before class so that the room is “alive” with energy as riders come into the room?
• Appearance/Clothing: Is the instructor wearing clean, professional attire that helps riders observe proper form on the bike or helps promote your program?
• Equipment Check : Does the instructor ensure that each participant has a towel, water bottle and proper shoes before beginning class? Does the instructor do a quick room check to confirm that microphone, stereo, fans and lights are in working order?
• Identifies New Students : Does the instructor introduce him/herself to new students and give them a safety orientation?

One of the most crucial components of teaching a successful Spinning® class is to be able to assess riders’ abilities. Instructors should be able to teach classes that accommodate all fitness levels. New students should be guided through the basics while more experienced riders should be encouraged to challenge themselves.

• Spinning® Profiles : Does the instructor create class profiles using Spinning® program guidelines?
• Safety: Does the instructor begin the class with a discussion on safety? We recommend the following: “Please always ride at your own pace. The Spinner® bike is designed with a fixed gear, meaning that the flywheel is connected to the bike’s pedals. If your feet come out of the pedals, make sure you move your legs out to the side of the bike and push down (or pull up) on the emergency brake (also known as the resistance knob). If you feel fatigued or faint, lower the resistance, slow down your pedaling and sit in the saddle until you recover.”
• Attention to New Riders : Are all movements explained thoroughly and practiced slowly for new riders?
• Assessment of Fitness Levels : Does the instructor coach beginners and advanced riders appropriately? Are new participants encouraged to sit near the front so that the instructor can see them clearly (i.e. based on how comfortable the beginner feels to be in front. Beginners should never be left alone or ignored, even if they prefer to be in the back)?
• Warm-Up and Cool-Down : Does the instructor devote sufficient time to warm up before increasing intensity? Does the instructor include a proper cool-down at the end of class?
• Hand Positions : Does the instructor teach class using the correct hand positions? Does the instructor correct riders’ hand positions?
• Form: Does the instructor teach class using the four Spinning® hand positions and five core movements? Does the instructor correct riders’ improper form?
• Progression of Complexity : Does the instructor create a gradual class progression from basic movements (i.e. Seated Flat, Standing Flat) to more complex movements (i.e. Standing Climb, Jumps) within a reasonable time frame?
• Progression of Intensity : Does the instructor gradually increase heart rate intensity in relation to the class level?
• Smooth Transitions : Does the instructor connect all movements smoothly?
• Stretching: Does the instructor take the class through safe and effective stretches off the bike?
• Motivation: Does the instructor create a fun, energizing class so riders want to participate?
• Visualization: Does the instructor encourage a mind/body connection through use of visual associations (e.g. focusing on breathing, a certain muscle group or perfect form)? Does the instructor provide uninterrupted sections of ride time when riders can train without being interrupted by instructions or distraction?
• Class Objectives : Does the instructor present objectives for the class (e.g. today we are going to work on breathing and rhythm in the legs) and then execute the objectives following the Energy Zones™?
• Feedback: Does the instructor give encouragement, form corrections and effective cues to all riders?
• Eye Contact : Does the instructor make eye contact with all of the riders during class?
• Personal Attention : Does the instructor give personal attention to riders that need additional coaching during class (e.g. asking fatigued riders to decrease their intensity or correct improper form)?
• Coaching Off The Bike : Does the instructor teach class off the bike when necessary (e.g. hands-on instruction or working with a new student)? Is the instructor an effective coach off the bike?
• Music: Does the instructor provide enough variety and tempo of music to accommodate various abilities (e.g. fast, sprint type music with only experienced riders and varied tempos with mixed fitness levels)? Does the music speak to different audiences (instrumental, hip hop, jazz, etc.)? Does the instructor confirm sound levels and make adjustments when needed?
• Voice: Does the instructor project his or her voice without yelling and give clear, articulate instructions?
• Heart Rate Training : Are heart rate monitors being encouraged and used in class? Does the instructor coach riders how to use the monitors in conjunction with the Energy Zone™ profile being taught? Does the instructor perform heart rate checks to ensure that riders are training within the Energy Zones outlined at the beginning of class?
• Energy Zone™ Guidelines : Does the instructor give detailed instructions about each profile as well as the components and benefits of each class design?
• Perceived Exertion: How does the instructor accommodate riders without heart rate monitors? Does he/she explain how to monitor perceived exertion and intensity?
• The Spinning® Eye : Does the instructor have a good read on the riders’ abilities? The Spinning® Eye allows the instructor to monitor exertion by paying attention to facial expressions, physical responses, etc.
• Mind/Body Connection : Does the instructor provide sections where riders can train without being interrupted by instructions? Is there sufficient learning time when the riders can apply what they’re learning without distraction from the instructor?
• Energy Zone™ Education : Does the instructor explain heart rate training and its application in class?

WORKSHEET