By Angela Koenig
Enquirer contributor

ANDERSON TWP. - There's nothing quite like an exhilarating bike ride or a swim to help shed those holiday pounds.

Mercy Health Plex is introducing a new cardio program in January called Hydro Spinning. (Michael E. Keating photo)

Put them together and you have ... hydro-riding.

"It's what I call one of the hottest trends right now" in fitness, said Jennifer Mayer, regional director of aquatics at Mercy HealthPlexes, where hydro-riding classes will begin Jan. 1.

Classes will be offered in the pools at the Anderson, Fairfield and Western Hills locations.

"We're the first club in the city to offer it," said Mayer, adding that hydro-riding differs from regular spinning classes, which are stationary bikes in a classroom setting.

Though both are cardiovascular exercises, being immersed in the water, she said, lowers the body temperature and in turn the heart rate, which allows for longer training. Buoyancy also reduces seat soreness sometimes associated with regular spinning and is easier on people with lower back problems.

A 40-minute class can burn 500-700 calories, she said. The bikes are made of marine steel and levers control paddle wheels to determine resistance.

Hydro-riding is designed to accommodate beginners to pro athletes, said Jeff Wiesemann of Mercy Health Partners, parent company of the HealthPlexes.

The company has purchased 40 bikes - 15 for Anderson and Fairfield and 10 for Western Hills - at a cost of $1,300 each.

"It's a really good investment for us to have made. We're always looking for new ways to do things," said Wiesemann.

The program is cost-free to members and $99 a month for non-members. Information: 624-1878.