Would You Try Aqua Spinning?

Aqua spin, hydro ride, pool biking, aqua cycling...whatever you want to call it, the low-impact workout that's hugely popular across Europe in countries like France, Italy and Germany, is finally making a splash in the States, too. And let us tell you -- it's definitely interesting!

Currently, the Euro trend is being offered at only a handful of places in the United States and the first boutique underwater cycling studio opened its doors to curious New Yorkers this past week. Three ambitious SELF staffers (myself and my editor included) tested the hydro bikes at AQUASpin, a gorgeous TriBeCa studio that boasts modern, Zen-like decor that felt more like a Russian bathhouse than a gym. "I just want to live here!" a student in our class gushed.

But the new trendy studio, with its pint-sized pool is oceans away from the high energy, lane-to-lane packed pools in many European classes, which often take place outdoors with the instructor on a bike on deck. (Need a visual? Check out the crazy YouTube vids.)

As for the workout itself? "It sort of feels like getting a lymphatic massage," when the water waves against your legs, said my editor, who noted she could understand why the exercise claims to fight cellulite. Another participant loved the abs section of the workout -- we propped up our feet on the bike handles and laid back to work the core and perform crunches. Dangerous? Maybe -- some of our heads were super close to the pool deck, but our instructor made us aware of that fact prior to the set.

While we can't see ourselves regularly attending aqua spinning, it is a fun way to break up your routine every once in a while, great for people with injuries or a joint pain and frankly, crazy fun! Not gonna lie--we were all sweating by the end!

Until the craze goes national, catch the wave at one of these studios in the U.S.:

Tell us: Would you try aqua spinning? Tweet us at @SaraAngle22 and @SELFMagazine!

RELATED LINKS:

Image Credit: Courtesy of AQUAStudio NY

View the original article here