As Instructors, we have a deep understanding for the power of music in any style of group fitness class, especially indoor cycling or spinning classes.
Music creates a vibe and energy which builds motivation through a workout, but have you ever thought about how it can connect you to your participants?
Think about a song that makes you smile? What about a song you play when you need to blow off steam (Metallica is my go to). Or how about a time in your life you fondly remember thanks to the music in that time period?
It is so easy to get caught up in our own favourite music genre to play for spinning class, yet sometimes (not intentionally) we forget our audience.
That is why it is IMPORTANT to play a variety of music from all the decades and incorporate them into your playlist.
The 50’s and 60’s have some fun upbeat songs that work wonders for warm ups and recoveries or making the class feel fun.
The 70’s and 80’s have some killer long rock songs, upbeat pop music and true old school hip hop and rap.
The 90’s and 2000’s have some great hip hop songs, boy and girl bands, grunge bands, Latin flavour, and epic pop songs.
When you play music that your participants love, it creates this connection in class because they connect to your love for all kinds of music and they enjoy class more.
Today I turned my endurance spin class into a tribute to the rock bands of the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s and I got so many people coming up to me and saying they loved my focus on rock music from a variety of decades.
The songs helped them get through the dreadful Climbs I planned today and I think we all left fans of the Eagles, David Bowie, The Rolling Stones and the Doors.
And I will be the first to admit I don’t jam in my truck to 70’s rock but heck yes to a heavy hill climb to “Start Me Up” by the Rolling Stones and a recovery ride with none other than the awesome “Joker” song by Steve Miller.
While the trendy cycling studios are over doing it on pop and current club mixes, step outside the box and bring back the old school hits and watch your participants light up when a song brings them back to “their good old days.”
To my young instructors who feel like they don’t know music from those decades, ask your parents what their favourite songs are or search out hits on Spotify and the members loved being asked what their favourite songs are. I was born in ‘79 so I always feel like I never connected to the 80’s but love the 90’s music, however, the more songs from the 80’s I listen to, the more I appreciate that era.
Connection is about creating memorable moments and it’s easy to do through a kick butt old school songs in spinning classes!
Happy Teaching!
Rachel Seay :)
BCRPA Certified Group Leader
Schwinn, Reebok, Keiser Spin Certified Leader