Ask the Personal Trainer Joni Hyde is a Certified Personal Trainer and owner of WorkoutsForWomen.com Q. What is spinning and why is it good for you? - Darlene A. Spinning is a type of aerobic exercise that is performed on specially designed stationary bikes. This concept was created by a world-class cyclist Jonny G, originally as a method of training for races. This type of training really caught on and in 1989 the first spinning center was opened in California. Spinning is usually performed in an "class like" atmosphere with motivating music playing while the instructor takes you through the workout using visualization techniques, assisting your imagination into feeling as if you are cycling over hills and through valleys. The instructor also prompts you as to when to crank up the tension and when to loosen the tension up and peddle faster. Spinning is and excellent calorie burner, using about 600 calories in an hour. Also, it tones and shapes up your quadriceps like there is no tomorrow. Other recently asked questions: • I want to exercise but with three children I just feel too guilty to take another hour away from my children. Any advice? • What kind of things can I do to get the most overall body workout in the pool? • Are there exercises which are safe during pregnancy? • Do I gain the same benefits from woman’s push-up as I would if I did men’s straight leg push-ups? WorkoutsForWomen.com provides home exercise programs for today's busy women, under the guidance of a certified personal trainer.