kids spin?

[dc13]

Does anyone here have some experience teaching spinning to teenagers? We are thinking of marketing a class to middle and high school age children (say 13-18) but I can't find any information about height/age requirements and the like. There is definitely a demand for it in our area and we are considering it in response to client requests. I welcome all comments, suggestions, advice, etc.

Thanks.

[gonzosgirl01]

I've taught teens in spin (granted, they're my own). My 13-year old daughter & 14 year old nephew spin with me during the summer.

I think you'd have a great time with it!

--Mandi

[spingen]

They need to be able to fit on the bike. If you can't fit the bike to the rider they can't ride. Generally I think the height requirement is about 4'8" or so, depending on their leg length. The other problem you might have is making sure they don't horse around while you are trying to set up another rider. They have a tendency to get on and lose control. ..... very painful learning experience. I've been lucky... I had a high school student come to one of my classes.....she absolutely loved it and has been recruiting other students to come as well.

You're biggest challenge will be finding a time slot that that age group can make it to .... especially if you are talking about kids that can't drive. That has been the biggest issue for me. That and finding music that I can ride to and that they will like as well :lol:

[gonzosgirl01]

Excellent points, Spingen - I find even some of my "adult" spinners tend to horse around sometimes.

Music will probably be the biggest factor. If you don't have kids that age, find a neighborhood kid or forgo "Good Morning America" for VH1 & MTV in the mornings - brush up on what they like!

My daughter & nephew really only enjoyed when I'd play hip hop or alt. rock. Anything else, you could see them tuning out of the class.

[guest]

DC 13,
I have taught spinning to a group of high school kids. These are private school kids who are required to do some after school activity and spinning happenned to be the least time committment! Because it was the "easy way out" I got some kids who were not really interested in doing this activity and it was a challlenge. On the other hand, I also got some motivated teenagers, which made it worthwhile. It definitely is a challenge!!!
You have to take it slow, just like you would any beginner class, and increase
saddle time from 30 min. to 45 gradually.
MUSIC - Very important to them! It's hard to even guess what kind they like - I found such diversity in their interests. In the downloading days I would ask
for suggestions (their home work was to bring in 3 song titles, artist included)
and I would burn a CD or 2 with their suggestions.
What I did last time was ask them to bring in a CD to class. You could also borrow their CD's and make your own compilation with them!
They also love to play games. Teams work well.
We've gone on trips. Crazy visuals.
Another idea - in the beginning I've gone around the room and they each had to name a position and movement they would like to do and we held it for a period of time, say 1 min.
I guess you just have to be creative!!!

PS I tried to use my username but it wouln't let me Post!!!
Cowgirl
If they want to be there you'll enjoy them!
Good Luck!!!!

[dc13]

Thanks so much for all the information. I do have kids so the music shouldn't be too much of an issue.
I was really mostly concerned about height requirements and safety (i.e., whether a teenager can control the flywheel), and whether other people are teaching spin to kids.
Thanks again!

[spinnerpom]

First, just to protect yourself, don't call your class "Spinning". Spinning states that it's for ages 18 & older, so your best bet is "Junior Cycling" or something like that.

We have had great success with a junior cycling program aimed at ages 12 - 16. Most of our riders ended up being around 13-14.

First, make the first class a free "intro" class where you fit each rider to the bike. If you can't fit them, they can't enroll in the class, and you should state that ahead of time on all your flyers. Ours said, "Spinner bikes are designed for individuals 5 feet or taller...riders who do not fit the bike will not be permitted to enroll, at the discretion of the instructor."

Second, your biggest challenge will be keeping them focused mentally, particularly if they all know each other or many of them are friends. Set the ground rules ahead of time. Let them talk during warm-up if they wish, but make it clear that they are to be quiet and respectful, and to listen to your instructions, for their own safety. We even made our riders sign a "spinning etiquette" contract to that effect before they could ride.

Third, you may find that riding form is a problem. We found that many of the riders didn't have the core stability they needed to really sustain good form in and out of the saddle, so we modified the class to 40 minutes in the spinning studio and 20 minutes of core work, using mats and balls. I figured it out that these sweet young things never had to suck in their guts, and many were really frighteningly out of shape, even though they were slender.

Fourth, let them make some music suggestions. Even let them burn you some CDs. You don' t have to use every suggestion they give you, but it will give you some ideas.

Finally, as for time slots, we found 11:30 on Saturdays worked well, as did 4:30 on Wednesday.

Let us know how it goes! I found the whole experience really rewarding, particularly with one boy who climbed onto a Spinning bike and was such a natural on the bike...I suggested his parents get him riding outside on a good bike, and apparently he's developed a real passion for riding and now his whole family rides together. That was pretty cool. I've never seen a kid look like that in the saddle, he was just born to ride!

Sara

First, just to protect yourself, don't call your class "Spinning". Spinning states that it's for ages 18 & older, so your best bet is "Junior Cycling" or something like that.

We have had great success with a junior cycling program aimed at ages 12 - 16. Most of our riders ended up being around 13-14.

First, make the first class a free "intro" class where you fit each rider to the bike. If you can't fit them, they can't enroll in the class, and you should state that ahead of time on all your flyers. Ours said, "Spinner bikes are designed for individuals 5 feet or taller...riders who do not fit the bike will not be permitted to enroll, at the discretion of the instructor."

Second, your biggest challenge will be keeping them focused mentally, particularly if they all know each other or many of them are friends. Set the ground rules ahead of time. Let them talk during warm-up if they wish, but make it clear that they are to be quiet and respectful, and to listen to your instructions, for their own safety. We even made our riders sign a "spinning etiquette" contract to that effect before they could ride.

Third, you may find that riding form is a problem. We found that many of the riders didn't have the core stability they needed to really sustain good form in and out of the saddle, so we modified the class to 40 minutes in the spinning studio and 20 minutes of core work, using mats and balls. I figured it out that these sweet young things never had to suck in their guts, and many were really frighteningly out of shape, even though they were slender.

Fourth, let them make some music suggestions. Even let them burn you some CDs. You don' t have to use every suggestion they give you, but it will give you some ideas.

Finally, as for time slots, we found 11:30 on Saturdays worked well, as did 4:30 on Wednesday.

Let us know how it goes! I found the whole experience really rewarding, particularly with one boy who climbed onto a Spinning bike and was such a natural on the bike...I suggested his parents get him riding outside on a good bike, and apparently he's developed a real passion for riding and now his whole family rides together. That was pretty cool. I've never seen a kid look like that in the saddle, he was just born to ride!

Sara

Sara:
Thanks for the extremely helpful info!

dc

[spinnerpom]

My pleasure! Please be sure to let us know how it works out!!!

Sara

The 18 years and older thing is no longer in the manual. Kids are now fair game in classes.

[spinnerpom]

Wow, really??????? That's SO COOL!!!!!!

Have at it, everyone, riding with younger folks can be really fun! I still recommend keeping the younger ones in their own classes, though, and not mixed in with older riders.

[Anna]

In Germany we have the oppertunity to make a Continuing Education for Spinning with special groups. There you learn important things about teenagers, seniors, people with overweight and pregnant women.

But I didn't take part in this CE yet.

ANNA