Position or interval: The augmented wedgie is an interval.
What it is: Like the ordinary wedgie, you're starting at a lower intensity before finishing with an attack (either standing attack or a sprint) - but this time there's an intermediate section where you increase the intensity before the final attack.
Cadence: You choose the cadence of the components. Make sure it's safe and effective.
Intensity: You can decide how intense you want to make the first longer part of the interval, this is usual done in the seat; the middle part is also seated, and an increased intensity, usually the same cadence. The final attack is either a standing attack or a sprint and so the effort will be maximal.
Length: You can make the first part as long as you like - is it for power or for endurance? The final part is going to be using the CP energy system and therefore this intense effort can only be sustained for several seconds - 10-15 seconds is perfect. The middle part is heading up to or passing your lactate threshold.
When to use: use at any point in the session after warming up, it really depends on the trajectory of the profile. It's a great one to finish with.
What it does: Great for building explosive power and simulating a competitive finish.
Key teaching points:

• be clear about how many reps there are. We suggest between 3 and 5 reps - and include recovery in between. If you're focusing on training the CP system with athletes, you're going to need 2-3 mins recovery between each one. If you're not, you can afford to shorten the length of the recovery to make a more cohesive section. But then move onto something else.
• you decide how long each initial part is. It might be as short as 30 seconds, or it might be as long as 2-3 minutes.
• you can introduce a set of regular wedgies, but ending with an augmented one for a big finish - if you do this, make sure you are clear with your riders so it's not a surprise!
• explain how intensely you want riders to pedal, give a caence guide for each part, and remember to give clear cueing so riders know exactly what to do when - and when to recover.
• what does it do? This interval will train your CP system and fast-twitch muscle fibres to give you more explosive power.
• make sure the ending sprint or standing attack is done with max power and with the correct technique. Bad technique renders this interval ineffective.

If you want to be an excellent indoor cycling instructor, then we want to help ensure you get there. Click below to book your spot now, or to get further information.

Position or interval: The wedgie is an interval. You have a longer component to start with, usually aerobic, and then finish off with a max intensity interval such as a standing attack or a sprint.
Cadence: You choose the cadence of the two components. Make sure it's safe and effective.
Intensity: You can decide how intense you want to make the first longer part of the interval; the second part is either a standing attack or a sprint and so the effort will be maximal.
Length: You can make the first part as long as you like - is it for power or for endurance? The second part is going to be using the CP energy system and therefore this intense effort can only be sustained for several seconds - 10-15 seconds is perfect.
When to use: use at any point in the session after warming up, it really depends on the trajectory of the profile.
What it does: Great for building explosive power and simulating a sprint finish.
Key teaching points:

• be clear about how many reps there are. We suggest between 3 and 5 reps - and include recovery in between. If you're focusing on training the CP system with athletes, you're going to need 2-3 mins recovery between each one. If you're not, you can afford to shorten the length of the recovery to make a more cohesive section. But then move onto something else.
• you decide how long each initial part is. It might be as short as 30 seconds, or it might be as long as 2-3 minutes.
• explain how intensely you want riders to pedal, give a caence guide for each part, and remember to give clear cueing so riders know exactly what to do when - and when to recover.
• what does it do? This interval will train your CP system and fast-twitch muscle fibres to give you more explosive power.
• make sure the ending sprint or standing attack is done with max power and with the correct technique. Bad technique renders this interval ineffective.

If you want to be an excellent indoor cycling instructor, then we want to help ensure you get there. Click below to book your spot now, or to get further information.

Position or interval: The staircase is an interval.
Cadence: You choose the cadence. The idea is that you will be keeping the cadence the same right the way through.
Intensity: The intensity builds as you go through the interval. You decide how hard it is to start with. You can also stipulate that riders stay in the aerobic zone if you're aiming for fat-burning or a lower intensity class.
Length: Can be as long as you like. Each step will be the same length, and goes on in total for at least a minute but usually a lot llonger!
When to use: use at any point in the session, although often it's better, due to its intensity, to put it close to the end of the session.
What it does: Great for building anaerobic capacity (at higher intensities), and muscular endurance.
Key teaching points:

• the staircase interval requires a combination of standing and seated effort.
  
• you decide how long each step is. It might be as short as 15 seconds, or it might be as long as one minute. If the steps are longer you can lose the benefit.
  
• let's assume your staircase is 5 minutes long, and that each step is 30 seconds: you'll add resistance for your first 30 seconds out of the saddle, then keeping the resistance at the same level, you'll head to the seat to ride at the same cadence for 30 seconds. Then add on resistance and come out of the saddle for a 30 second climb. Keep the resistance where it is, and then head to the seat for 30 seconds at the same cadence. Repeat. In 5 minutes, you'll have 5 reps of 30 seconds out of the saddle and 30 seconds in the saddle at the same level.
  
• what does it do? This interval will train you to ride at a higher intensity in the seat.
• core should be strong at all times - make sure there's no bobbing or flopping while out of the saddle, and no weaving or swaying while in the saddle.

Enjoy!

If you want to be an excellent indoor cycling instructor, then we want to help ensure you get there. Click below to book your spot now, or to get further information.

Position or interval: The inverted foxy clock is an interval.
What it is: A set of intervals which increase in length with decreasing recoveries.
Cadence: Select the cadence and you can stick with this cadence right the way through
Intensity: The aim is to maximise the intensity for thelength of each interval. The more intense the interval, the shorter it is, and the longer its corresponding recovery is.
Length: You can fit a foxy clock inside a few minutes (interval/recovery): 10/50, 20/40 30/30, 40/20, 50/10. You may have fewer intervals: 15/45, 30/30, 45/15.
When to use: anywhere outside the warmup. You can use it as a way of building strength as the intervals get longer, the challenge is to maintain the intensity of the initial shorter intervals
What it does: Builds strength and endurance, at higher intensities with a delayed recovery.
Key teaching points:

• make sure you have a couple of minutes' recovery after each complete inverted foxy clock.
• cueing: be absolutely clear about what each section is, what the pattern is and how long the riders have left in each stage.
• emphasise how each different intensity level should feel if you're increasing or decreasing the intensity.
• encourage riders to maintain the same cadence and resistance right to the end of each interval.
• depending on how you set the features, this can be a suitable interval for all riders. Ensure you offer suitable options if required.
• this interval helps to build endurance.

If you want to be an excellent indoor cycling instructor, then we want to help ensure you get there. Click below to book your spot now, or to get further information.

Position or interval: The foxy clock is an interval.
What it is: A set of intervals which increase in length with corresponding increasing recoveries - they may also decrease back again.
Cadence: Select the cadence and you can stick with this cadence right the way through
Intensity: The aim is to maintain what's possible in the shorter intervals in the longer intervals. You decide what the intensity is.
Length: You can fit a foxy clock inside a few minutes (interval/recovery): 10, 10, 20, 20, 30, 30, 40, 40, 50, 50. You may have fewer intervals: 15, 15, 30, 30, 45, 45, 60, 60.
When to use: anywhere outside the warmup. You can use it as a way of building confidence and endurance at high intensities, or use it as a cadence drill by changing the cadence as you go.
What it does: Builds explosive power, works CP system, builds strength and endurance, at higher intensities with a delayed recovery.
Key teaching points:

• make sure you have a couple of minutes' recovery after each compelte foxy clock.
• cueing: be absolutely clear about what each section is, what the pattern is and how long the riders have left in each stage.
• emphasise how each different intensity level should feel if you're increasing or decreasing the intensity.
• depending on how you set the features of the foxy clock, this can be a suitable interval for all riders. Ensure you offer suitable options if required.
• this interval helps to build endurance.

If you want to be an excellent indoor cycling instructor, then we want to help ensure you get there. Click below to book your spot now, or to get further information.

Position or interval: The poison frog is an interval.
What it is: A maximal intensity interval (sprint or standing attack) followed by 2 minutes at lower intensity and finish with a second maximal intensity interval.
Cadence: You select the cadence for the middle stage. Cadence for the two maximal intensity stages will be governed by what is possible for the rider at the required level of intensity.
Intensity: The two maximal intensity intervals are precisely that - the middle section can be tempo/aerobic or low anaerobic depending on training effect you want.
Length: Usually the poison frog lasts about 2.5 mins with a 15 second max intensity interval bracketing a 2 minute ride. You can make the middle section longer if you prefer.
When to use: use it in sets of 3-6. Allow appropriate recovery in between - you'll need at least 2 minutes of recovery between each one. If riders don't feel they need the full 2 minutes to recover, they need to increase the intensity particularly of the max intensity stages.
What it does: Builds explosive power, works CP system, builds strength and endurance, at higher intensities with a delayed recovery.
Key teaching points:

• cueing: be absolutely clear about what each section is, what the pattern is and how long the riders have left in each stage.
• emphasise that the max intensity intervals are precisely that. If it's too easy, it's ineffective.
• this is a suitable interval for those who are more experienced/confident/fitter riders.
• this interval is great for strengthening muscles so they can go for longer, as well as improving aerobic fitness which enables fat burn at higher intensities.

Find out more about what the Indoor Cycling Institute can offer you here:

Position or interval: The bobble hat is an interval.
What it is: A series of stages of increasing intensity, before gradually decreasing the intensity.
Cadence: You select the cadence. You have a choice with cadence - you can either stick with the same cadence right the way through, and increase the challenge by increasing resistance, or you can keep the resistance the same, but try to increase the cadence as you go through the stages.
Intensity: The intensity increases as you head through the stages of the climb. you may start pretty easy, and end moderately challenging, or you may start at a harder intensity and end really hard. The 'bobble' of the hat is a high intensity interval - a standing attack or a sprint, and then the intensity decreases gradually, delaying the recovery.
Length: A bobble hat will last for minutes in total - it's up to you how long you make it; could just be 4-5 minutes, or you could make it longer, 10 minutes or more. You also get to decide how long each stage within the climb is. We recommend an absolute minimum of 30 seconds for each stage, with the high intensity interval at the top 15 seconds, although 1 minute works very well for the stages excluding the high intensity one. For very long climbs, spreading the stages out to 2 minutes each is incredibly challenging both mentally and physically. With each stage, you'll be adding challenge by either increasing resistance, or cadence, or both.
You can split the bobble hat - use it whole for maximum challenge, but you can use the principle of the progressive climb leading to a maximal interval or the other principle of maximal interval followed by delayed recovery and gradually decreasing steps of intensity towards recovery.
When to use: This is a very challenging interval, and therefore it's best used in the second half of a session - but due to the decreasing intensity towards recovery, it's best not to use it as the final challenge of the session as you'll want all riders to finish on a rather than a decrease.
What it does: Builds strength and endurance, at higher intensities.
Key teaching points:

• cueing: be clear about how long the climb is and how long the riders have left in each stage.
• give pointers in technique, particularly if the intensity is hard; you want to minimise swaying of the upper body as this creates momentum from bodyweight and reduces the training effect.
• be clear about what the next stage involves - is it an increase, a decrease, or a maximal interval? Make sure riders know exactly what to do next.
• be encouraging. As riders get tired, they'll want to hear encouragement more than anything else.
• this interval is great for strengthening muscles so they can go for longer, as well as improving aerobic fitness which enables fat burn at higher intensities.

If you want to be an excellent indoor cycling instructor, then we want to help ensure you get there. Click below to book your spot now, or to get further information.

Position or interval: The progressive climb is an interval.
What it is: A longer climb (either seated or standing, or a combination of the two positions) that gets progressively harder.
Cadence: The cadence is between 60-85rpm. You'll give your riders a 10 or 5 rpm range. You have a choice with cadence - you can either stick with the same cadence right the way through, and increase the challenge by increasing resistance, or you can keep the resistance the same, but try to increase the cadence as you go through the stages.
Intensity: The intensity increases as you head through the stages of the climb. you may start pretty easy, and end moderately challenging, or you may start at a harder intensity and end really hard.
Length: A progressive climb will last for minutes - it's up to you how long you make it; could just be 3 minutes, or you could make it longer, 8 minutes or more. You also get to decide how long each stage within the climb is. We recommend an absolute minimum of 30 seconds, although 1 minute works very well. For very long climbs, spreading the stages out to 2 minutes each is incredibly challenging both mentally and physically. With each stage, you'll be adding challenge by either increasing resistance, or cadence, or both.
When to use: Use it anywhere outside the warm up. You can create two of these and 'bookend' your session with them. f you use two, they might be identical, or you may tweak resistance in one and cadence in the other. Or have a seated one and a standing one. A progressive climb is an excellent climb to finish a class on as it creates a marvellous climax.
What it does: Builds strength and endurance, and when used appropriately can build aerobic or anaerobic fitness.
Key teaching points:

• cueing: be clear about how long the climb is and how the riders have left in each stage.
• give pointers in technique, particularly if the intensity is hard; you want to minimise swaying of the upper body as this creates momentum from bodyweight and reduces the training effect.
• be encouraging. As riders get tired, they'll want to hear encouragement more than anything else.
• this interval is great for strengthening muscles so they can go for longer, as well as improving aerobic fitness which enables fat burn at higher intensities.

If you want to be an excellent indoor cycling instructor, then we want to help ensure you get there. Click below to book your spot now, or to get further information.

Position or interval: The sprint is a position.
What it is: A maximal intensity interval in the saddle.
Cadence: The cadence is usually between 85-110rpm.
Intensity: The sprint is maximal intensity.
Length: Because the sprint requires the CP energy system, this intense effort can only be sustained for several seconds - 10-15 seconds is perfect.
When to use: only when riders are properly warmed up - and best in the second half of the session. Use it in sets of 3-6.
What it does: Trains the CP system and builds power.
Key teaching points:

• a sprint is not just 'fast legs' it is power, with extra speed added. Fast legs without power is a poor quality interval with negligble training effect.
• this is the only interval where you can give an upper limit only to the cadence - eg, up to 115rpm. Anything over this point is ineffective and the rider needs to add more resistance. Why only the upper limit? Because it's an intense power interval, different riders will have different power sweet spots. Some riders will prefer more resistance and less speed, and some will need to use speed to bolster the power. Even so, the limit of 115rpm remains (or you can make it lower, if you prefer).
• be clear about how many reps there are. We suggest between 3 and 6 reps - you must provide plenty of recovery in between in order to recharge the CP system. If you're training the CPD system with athletes, you're going to need 2-3 mins recovery between each one. If you're not, you can afford to shorten the length of the recovery to make a more cohesive section. But then move onto other types of intervals.
• it is impossible to do a sprint for longer than a few seconds. Intensity is maximal. It should feel incredibly hard. Your riders should feel ready to stop before the end of the interval.
• give clear cueing so riders know exactly what to do when - and when to recover, and how long to recover for.
• this interval will train your CP system and fast-twitch muscle fibres to give you more explosive power.
• bad technique renders this interval ineffective. Make sure riders have sufficient resistance on - if it doesn't feel really hard, then it's not a sprint. Powering through and minimising upper body movement is essential.

If you want to be an excellent indoor cycling instructor, then we want to help ensure you get there. Click below to book your spot now, or to get further information.