Riding a stationary bike can be one helluva kick-butt workout, and once you get beyond the mental frustration of pedaling a whole lot to get absolutely nowhere, can also be a ton of (sweaty) fun.

But, because we're always chasing the newer, better thang, spinning classes are now facing a little competition from their pool-plunging cousins.

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Before your mind jumps ahead and conjures Richard Simmons' type water aerobics classes, know that this is a serious workout.

Aqua cycling -- wherein spinning bikes are put into a 3-4 foot pool -- uses the water's resistance for a zero-impact workout that lets the body burn calories and tone up while conveniently evading the risk of injury. Plus, because you're immersed in cool water while working out, you don't feel like you're over-heating, which convinces your psyche to make you pedal harder.

Bonus: In addition to being a full body workout, the water rushing over your legs acts as a type of lymphatic massage. "While you have the muscles active inside and working out, you have the water and the lymphatic system in between stimulating inside [the muscles] and outside [the skin], Aqua Cycle's Head of Development, Anne Koller, told LifeStyleMirror.com.

While the practice has been all the rage in Europe for several years, it's just now catching on in the states. And, knowing how to swim is not a pre-requisite. You're sitting on a bike, not clocking laps.

So, if you're tired of spinning yourself silly (or of the barre, the Pilates machine or that wacky Piloxing trend) check out an Aqua Cycle class, it may just be the shot in the arm your workout routine needs.