Many fitness gurus are declaring "Spinning" classes the new rage.

It's America's latest trend in fitness, and now the IMA has invested in a new cycling studio equipped with 25 stationary bikes.

The IMA is offering seven one-hour classes fall quarter in the new studio near the raquetball courts. The class is accessible to all fitness levels, although the facility is equipped with steep hills and rolling terrains.

Professional cyclist Johnny Goldberg started the indoor cycling class trend in 1986, when he made "Spinning" a registered trademark while training for the 3,000-mile Race Across America. Since then, there have been several spin-offs of his original course.

The Spinning program explains that in a 40-minute cycling class, a student can burn an average of 500 calories. For the past decade Spinning classes have been isolated to Los Angeles and New York, but now that Americans are looking for more fitness options, they can be found in almost any urban city.

While Spinning can burn some serious calories, there are potential problems because it does not work all of your leg muscles equally, and without doing extra cross training, you may develop larger thighs.

"I used to do cycling in high school when I lived in Newport, Calif., and now that the IMA is offering it I am excited to sign up for a class," said senior Kim Housepian, an international studies major.

An American Sports Data, Inc. Health Club report estimated there are about 2 million group cycling participants in U.S. health clubs. Most fitness trainers say it's because group cycling can appeal to anyone, has low injury potential and allows riders to go at their own paces.

Edmund Burke, Ph.D, works with elite-level cyclists and the U.S. national cycling team.

"The classes keep your mind engaged while vigorously challenging your body," he said.

Senior Lindsey John, a communication major and the daughter of a personal trainer, is skeptical about whether cycling classes provide a full-body workout.

"It's a grandma class because I used to watch my grandma doing it, literally, and I think students should do something like kick-boxing or Tae Bo," she said.

For more information on cycling classes, please visit http://depts.washington.edu/ima/IMA_skills.php.

[Reach reporter Shanelle Smith at news@thedaily.washington.edu.]