would you rather: 65% technique/100% ‘zazz or 90% technique/nominal ’zazz?

Wednesday May 22, 2024

Between today & yesterday, I observed 11 cycling trainees teach-back a class from their pre-class speech to the final stretch. 1 trainee hit probably 65% of the salient points for the class…but was so engaging in his analogies & coaching & personality, I found myself laughing as well as writing down some of the great things he said to share with him, following his teach back. 

Another trainee hit closer to 90% of the important parts of the class to convey…but was going through the motions & I had no idea who he was as a coach.

Do I think they will both become excellent cycling coaches with more time, practice & mentoring? (they're already solid while teaching barre!) 

I absolutely do…but they each received the reverse feedback from me, today.

This reminded me of 2014 when I taught briefly for Equinox NYC. One day after my class at their SoHo location, a member came up to me & said “I love taking your class but I'd prefer to ride with you at SoulCycle rather than here at Equinox. Can you please give me your schedule at Soul?” 

🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯

Me: “What a lovely compliment; thank you for taking the time to share it with me…but I don't teach for SoulCycle…so I hope you'll continue riding with me at Equinox!" 

To be abundantly clear: Equinox' cycling classes when I worked there, were taught on a Schwinn bike with a power meter & a wattage console; everyone taught to metrics; power, RPM and distance in mileage. There were no weights on a bike nor tapbacks, “pushups” or any dancing whatsoever in my class at Equinox, being that I was committed to an on-brand experience.

(And remember, of course, Equinox' parent company acquired SoulCycle years back…so there is, of course, a serious brand-differential from what members do on bikes at EQX vs Soul!)

The clients who come into our spaces, regardless of the class formats we offer, want to feel something:

Connection to a musical arch & progression of music that is not one-color and one-beat….but bright & brilliant.

Connection to the cueing and coaching. 

Connection to humor, organic & spontaneous storytelling in the room.

Connection to their results.

Many many others, you get it.

Instructors give instructions. Coaches help us progress to the next level…and deliver hospitality & a journey in the room.

Do you have more instructors on your team who clearly share 65% of the class rhetoric perfectly but make us feel something? Or share closer to 90% without drawing-us-in-for an unmissable class experience?

Click reply - I would love to hear.

Noël

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