As
some of you may know, I recently started teaching spin classes! I thought I’d
share how I did it.
I got
into spin my sophomore year of college. In an ill-fated attempt to join
Cal’s triathlon team, I took a few classes. I quickly learned that my
swimming and biking wasn’t at a level I’d be comfortable competing at, so I
dropped the team. But I did stick with spinning! I took classes at
Cal’s RSF (with the AMAZING Anja Garcia) and my hometown’s 24 Hour Fitness when I
returned for semester and summer breaks.
I even
joined gyms and took spin classes when I studied abroad in Barcelona and again
when I lived in Madrid. I take my obsessions SERIOUSLY.
Since
being back in LA for the last few years for law school, I have enjoyed spinning
at Gold’s Gym downtown, as well as YAS Fitness, Flywheel, and of course, Soul
Cycle. So after years of spinning (roughly 6 years), I decided to accomplish
the goal of becoming a spin instructor.
In my
mind, there is NOTHING worse than taking a bad spin class, mostly defined by a
low energy instructor with bad music.
How to Get Certified
In
order to become a legitimate spin instructor, you need to get certified.
I chose to go through Spinning ® . It was a one-day class, from 10 am
to about 6 pm. We had about 25 people take the certification course, led
by a master trainer from Mad Dogg Athletics. We learned pretty basic
things like how to assemble a class (meaning the combination of sprint, hills,
and jumps that fill up the hour), the different hand positions, and how to set
up a bike. We also took a couple of rides. It was really a fun day — I
joked that I felt like I was at spinning camp. Although the certification
is about $300, it is really efficient. Spinning.com requires that you
essentially get re-certified every 2 years, but I know this requirement is not
enforced by many different facilities. The week after the class, you have
to take a 50 question multiple-choice exam. It is not difficult. (I took
it literally while I was blow drying my hair).
How to Get Hired
Getting
certified is only the first step – you need someone to actually want you to
work at their gym! Many spinning specialty facilities (Soul Cycle, for
example) require that you go through their own teacher training. I
decided to wait to reach out to potential gyms until after I got certified.
That week, I reached out to my gym, Gold’s Gym in Downtown Los Angeles.
The group exercise manager responded and suggested I meet him for a brief
interview. I lucked out in that my gym was looking to add a new spin
instructor to the team, so I was matched up with Marcus, a long-time spin
instructor at my gym to co-teach a class or two. I taught the first three
songs of a couple classes. This really got my confidence up and also
introduced me to a lot of the regulars. I would really recommend
suggesting this to the gyms you consider reaching out to.
Since
then, I now teach two classes a week (Saturday mornings and Wednesday nights)
at my gym. I’m also subbing occasionally. It’s awesome to be a part
of a fitness community and to be around people who share a similar interest. I love my “regulars” and am so thankful to
have this opportunity to pursue my “side hustle” in the world of
I’ve
also enjoyed assembling playlists and figuring out what I’m going to say to the
class. The hardest part is definitely getting comfortable with the mic
and not sounding like a total dork when I’m coaching.
Have you tried taking a
spin class?
What is your favorite work
out song right this very minute?
You can find out more about #elf4health which is the creation of Lindsay Livingston & Elle Penner.
