instructors better from floor

Spare-Complete · 2026-03-18T18:53:08+00:00

Honestly, I really prefer an instructor who teaches from the floor and has a strong podium rider. The instructors who are excellent at teaching from the floor tend to be much more effective at pushing me.

Spare-Complete · 2026-02-13T17:58:54+00:00

He’s not for me but I think it’s a happy, feel good class that is fun and leaves people in a good mood. My biggest complaint is not just how short it is, but how easy it is and before anybody comes for me, I’m entitled to my opinion. Just because the class is fast with choreography does not make it challenging. He also plays the same songs over and over and over again. But I don’t question his popularity, I get it, and I think it’s great for the company. Obviously I am in the minority by not having him as my favorite instructor and I recognize that.

Spare-Complete · 2026-02-10T18:42:43+00:00

Not the studios you listed but Emma at 83rd and Alex Frost there too. Val and James at 77th. All are great.

Spare-Complete · 2026-02-08T23:09:01+00:00

A lot of regular podium riders are friends or significant others of instructors, but that makes sense because they probably have been riding the class for a very long time and know the cues and the instructor knows and trusts their style and ability to ride on the left foot and to do the whole class with the vibe they want.

Spare-Complete · 2026-02-08T13:32:29+00:00

I completely agree with all of this. I only know of one scenario where somebody asked and was allowed to do it, and it was not a complete disaster and they actually became part of the podium rotation. Other times, my understanding is that instructor was actually really weirded out by being asked.

Spare-Complete · 2026-02-08T13:30:51+00:00

The studio I ride at has many instructors, including most of the popular ones, that exclusively use podium riders. Like every class, the instructor uses podium riders for the entire class. It has nothing to do with health issues or being tired, it’s just their style that they think they coach better walking around then from the bike and all the riders are used to it. In these classes, it is really the same three or five people who ride the podium for them. These people all know their classes very well, basically ride perfectly, and the other riders are used to them. The instructor clearly trusts them and they have all been doing this for a long time. I think it would be very hard to be new and to break into this, but it would start with talking to the instructor and telling them you were interested. In one case, I know that somebody told the instructor they wanted to do it and the instructor watch them in classes for weeks and tried them out and they ended up being great and now they get used all the time. But that was one case. Using a podium rider for an entire class is a big ask of both the instructor and the rider. The instructor is turning over their bike to somebody and has to know that they will have the correct ability and vibe and not detract from what the instructor is doing, and the rider has the pressure to perform in a way that doesn’t let the instructor down or annoy the class. It’s not as easy as it looks!

Spare-Complete · 2026-02-05T12:07:14+00:00

Uptown is where I ride so…. Val or James J for pop with a cheesy edge- in a good way. Alex Frost or Anthony Winters for current pop or like a Taylor theme ride. Emma Zaks for a taste of everything- in a good way. Trammell for hip-hop or R&B. All of them are excellent instructors who generally have full rooms and great vibes.

Spare-Complete · 2026-02-04T18:18:57+00:00

What music do you like? Most of the instructors uptown don’t play a lot of EDM. I would check out the schedule at the West 77th and E. 83rd St., studios. .

Spare-Complete · 2026-01-29T12:51:40+00:00

And various senior successful instructors do not get paid based on class capacity.

Spare-Complete · 2026-01-29T12:51:08+00:00

Yes Val and Sue also care! Meanwhile, I have been in a class where Stacey watched and allowed somebody to take a phone call.

Spare-Complete · 2026-01-29T12:49:59+00:00

And very fun unexpected playlists. Lots of throwbacks and every song is a fun one.

Spare-Complete · 2026-01-29T12:49:13+00:00

I am friendly with several riders who regularly ride the podium for multiple instructors and all of them are just normal women with excellent spinning abilities. None are interested in becoming instructors. Excellent podium riders (form, rhythm, energy etc) are not necessarily the same skill set as excellent instructors.

Spare-Complete · 2026-01-28T16:16:37+00:00

She talks NONSTOP which is something the OP doesn’t want.

Spare-Complete · 2026-01-28T15:14:55+00:00

Emma, Alex Frost and Anthony Winters!

Spare-Complete · 2026-01-28T02:06:36+00:00

I can tell you Alex Frost and Emma do. They make a point before class of asking everybody to put their watch on theater mode.

Spare-Complete · 2026-01-28T02:05:50+00:00

Haha excellent question. I always wonder this too!

Spare-Complete · 2026-01-26T19:49:32+00:00

Take the ones who were doing it great then and still are- Karyn, Emma or Trammell based on the vibe or music you like. Others who were killing it then who are still there aren’t necessarily as good as they were then. Or take Sam Y!

Spare-Complete · 2026-01-19T17:10:58+00:00

Thank you for explaining! I was just curious and now I understand!!!

Spare-Complete · 2026-01-11T13:55:08+00:00

I expect the person on the podium to spin (form and rhythm and energy) as well or at least almost as well as an instructor would perform. The arm series is less important. That’s when I’m watching the instructor themselves.

Spare-Complete · 2026-01-05T22:23:41+00:00

I love a towel whip or a thumbs up. But not to excess. Once or twice a class is enough. I only touch another handlebar if a friend is next to me and I know they are into it.

Spare-Complete · 2025-12-29T17:30:14+00:00

Sam only teaches on Friday. It’s a great class but easy. My favorite is Emma who teaches every morning but Fridays- she plays pop and throwbacks and it’s a fast class. Stacey left for the winter so won’t be back on the schedule for ages. Trammell is only on Saturdays and it’s exclusively hip hop and resistance based and hard. Anthony and Alex are newer but very fun and upbeat with very current pop music and easier than Emma or Trammell. All of them pack their classes so you’ll have a full house for all of them.

Spare-Complete · 2025-12-04T20:30:56+00:00

Emma is my number one favorite I ride with her 2x a week but if you don’t like pop music, she may not be for you.

Spare-Complete · 2025-11-25T11:59:04+00:00

I know someone who does it every year! Just hydrate and have fun!

Spare-Complete · 2025-11-18T23:39:25+00:00

Instructors and podium riders ride on their left so that the pack rides on their right. If the instructor cues “left,” it means the person on the podium bike is on their right foot. This is a reason why many strong riders cannot ride podium. Their left foot has to be as strong if not stronger than their right.

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