Running and jogging have long been held as the most popular types of cardio. It is certainly not uncommon to see a runner cantering past you on the sidewalk. Running, however, has its drawbacks: it can be hard on your joints, can be difficult to get into, and can be extremely intimidating—particularly if you find yourself with a significant amount of excess weight.

While running can have some large shoes to fill, there is one type of exercise that is gentle on your joints, provides cardio and strength building, and can be done from the comfort of your home or the obscurity of a dark gym: spinning.

Spinning and Its Benefits

“Spinning” is the term used to describe using a stationary bicycle. Once relegated to the back room of your grandparent’s house, spinning is rapidly growing in popularity, with classes taught by qualified instructors and home-based machines. Most gyms have at least one spinning class, and some gyms have multiple classes, each of them tailored to fit a different demographic—some are dimly-lit with heart-pounding music, while others are brightly lit with a lot of instruction.

Why spin instead of running, jogging, or hopping into an aerobics class? Spinning is unique in its ability to not only provide a bit of cardio but also build strength, without putting undue stress on your joints. This is particularly true of people who have weak joints, are overweight, or are otherwise impaired with high-impact activities such as running.

Boasting an impressive ability to burn calories and build muscle, spinning is a great way to give your body the activity and strength it needs.

Spinning and Diabetes

Spinning is an excellent alternative to running for men and women with diabetes because many individuals with diabetes struggle to maintain adequate circulation. This can not only make running difficult but a hazard; if you have sores on your feet or nerve damage, running can be downright dangerous, making an already-bad situation worse.

Spinning provides some safety, as it can help improve circulation, and you will not be placing a lot of weight and stress on your feet. Instead, your legs and core do the majority of the work—although some classes include basic arm workouts as part of your exercise.

The next time you are struggling to come up with an exercise plan, check your local gym or community center for a spinning class, or even just an available stationary bike. You can get your exercise in with less risk than running, but equal rewards.