In Spinning® classes, music plays a crucial role by motivating your students, helping them work through challenging rides and keeping them coming back for more. The right piece of music might clear the mind and instill a sense of peace or accomplishment. Music's benefits are many, both in daily life and in exercise.

But music can also be overused.

At the beginning of my Spinning career, I was known as the instructor with the "good music". A nice thing, sure. I did—and do—have good music. However, I did not know how to use it properly. I did not know when to tone it down, amp it up, how to cycle "off count," or how to use the lack of a "pumping" beat to assist my students up that steep hill. What changed all that for me? Learning to ride with an temperamental stereo, riding outdoors where it doesn't matter what tempo is playing in your ear, and most importantly, gaining confidence in my skills as a teacher.

When I first started teaching, I relied too much on the power of music. I had not been in front of people in years, and I was hesitant and timid. If I played a song that wasn't well received, I would panic and change tracks rather than work through it with determination and humor. I played far too many top hits in the fear that my students would not like me otherwise. Secretly, I probably felt I wasn't good enough to carry a class without it. Now, with hundreds of Spinning classes under my belt, I can ride to anything with confidence. Even Don Ho's "Tiny Bubbles".

Want to deliver the best possible ride with the best possible music? Here are eight tips to get the most out of your music—learned the hard way.

1. Add variety. In class, you may have 20 different people with 20 different tastes. Playing all kinds of music will ensure that most of your participants find something they connect with. A variety will also expose your students to music they normally would not listen to. You might be surprised at how many people come up to you after class to ask about that oddball yet intriguing song you played.
2. Play what you don't like. As Spinning professionals we teach for others, not for ourselves. The music we play should reflect that. Though you may prefer constant rock or 80's, your students might not. Play some songs that don't resonate with you, but might be a good match for your class. In the process, you might also discover that what you didn't like off the bike, you've grown to love on the bike.
3. Take requests. Teaching an occasional "all request" class allows you to get a feel for what your students' tastes are, and may open your eyes to music you might have never thought to use. Neil Diamond's "Coming to America" seemed like a hokey request during my last "all request" ride, but once we were climbing to it on the bike, it was simply spectacular. Who would have thought?
4. Don't be "in your face." The general Spinning public seems to prefer a contemporary blend to lose themselves in. That does not mean you need to fill your playlist with hard-hitting top hits or dance tunes. Select only 3 to 5 "in your face" hits and intersperse them with some eclectic or unusual selections. Try some Thievery Corporation or Rusted Root to blend with your Bon Jovi and Linkin Park.
5. Take chances. Have you ever climbed to "Hotel California," "Behind Blue Eyes" or even Rod Stewart's "Passion?" Why not? Don't let fear of failure rule your music selection. It is rarely a failure and rarely a disaster. It's just music. As a certified instructor, you have the talent, skill and knowledge to bring any song to the bike. Give something new a try—and make it yours.
6. Ride off-beat. While some Spinning professionals advocate never riding to the beat, in truth, most students prefer to ride to it. From many years of group exercise, dance and music lessons, people like to be what they feel is "on target." Let them have their beat—most of the time. But teach them to also ride to songs with a less distinct beat ("American Pie" anyone? It will send shivers up your spine.) Coach them to moderately accelerate towards the top of a hill, up and over the crest, to get them used to breaking tempo. Or use an unexpected breakaway as a method for them to connect with the ride itself rather than just a song. Little by little, guide them out of their comfort zones. Then let them sink back into familiar territory as their reward.
7. Free your students. For classes with more experienced students, nothing beats the "free ride." The free ride is your song; the one you love to ride to as a group. Pick a favorite that is distinctive, so special and loved by your class, and let them choose their movement, resistance and cadence. Let your students interpret the song the way they feel it inside, allowing their bodies to flow as the music moves them. Turn off your cuing and give them the controls. It's a magical moment when "your" song comes on and your students do what comes natural to them. My favorite free ride song? "Sweet Child o' Mine." The first few familiar chords bring cheers from my tired riders. And then they cycle their hearts out, together yet separate, with big smiles on their faces.
8. Be flexible. If your students are tired, give them energy. If they've had a bad day, make it better. If they are agitated, calm them. Pick a ride profile and music that matches the mood of your group. Change mid-stream if you need to. If a quiet, steady strength ride is on your mind, but halfway through your class is petering out, switch to more upbeat music. If they seem stressed, change to a quiet mix to bring some peace into their lives. Music is powerful. Use its strength to benefit your students.

Years later, I am still known as the instructor with the good music. But now I am also known as a solid, caring and skilled teacher—one who can instruct to no music, bad music, a broken stereo, or no microphone. While the perfect music helps, it does not a great teacher make. In the end, it is just a tool. It is up to you to learn how to best use it.

Author Helen Ryan is a certified Spinning® Instructor, personal trainer and freelance fitness writer. She can be reached at helen@flexyourbody.com