West Virginia Universitys Student Recreation Center is putting a new spin on exercise.

Just in time for finals week and the busy holiday season, the center is offering a fun way to relieve stress and get fit at the same time. A lengthened spinning class called Super Spinfrom 5:30-7 p.m. Monday, Dec. 11, and Monday, Dec. 18, in Room Ctakes the basic spinning class to the next level, instructor LeeAnn Boyd said.

Its a class where you can go at your own pace so you do not have to worry about keeping up,she explained.You decide how hard or how easy to make the class.

Super Spin is about 30 minutes longer than the typical spinning class. It includes 20 minutes of core work and 10 minutes of stretching.

Spinning is a high-energy, high-endurance workout, Boyd noted, that provides an excellent source of bike workouts for riders and nonriders during the winter months. The classes simulate outdoor riding and racing conditions, including high resistance riding to simulate uphill riding and sprints.

The Rec Center has offered cycling classes since its opening in 2001. Classes are offered throughout the year and are designed for riders of any skill level.

We have about 15-16 classes a week,said Colleen Harshbarger, manager of fitness, wellness and informal recreation.Starting in January especially, they will all be full. During the winter months last year, we had people waiting in line to take the next class. We have added more classes and brought in more equipment since then and hope to accommodate more people this way. Spinning classes are very popular.

On average, between six and 27 people participate in each class, depending on the time of day. Cyclists can participate in three types of workouts: endurance, interval and strength.

The endurance workout involves strength and stamina by riding at a steady pace and heart rate, Boyd said.

During the interval workout, participants maintain a heart rate between 50 and 92 percent of their maximum heart rate. It is designed to adapt the body to recovering quickly during aerobic workouts.

And finally, the strength workout is designed to improve fitness and build strength through resistance.

The beauty of spin is that everyone sets their own intensity level,Harshbarger said.Its a great cardiovascular workout. Its very motivating, and our instructors do a great job getting people pumped up.

The Rec Center was certified as an official spinning center in October by Mad Dogg Athletics, the company that founded the cycling program and designed the stationary bicycles used in the classes.

Super Spin classesan outgrowth of the WVU Nutrition and Wellness Initiative established by WVU President David C. Hardesty Jr.are free to WVU students and Rec Center members. No preregistration is required.

For more information, call 304-293-5054.