Many of us get stuck in a work out rut and look for new ways to spice things up. Well, if that sounds like you and you've never tried it, consider spinning. Spinning is a great way to get a high-intensity cardio workout during the winter or when you can't exercise outdoors. Spinning, also called "studio cycling" at some gyms, is a group fitness class that uses stationary bikes. The instructor talks the class through a workout, encouraging everyone to pedal harder and ramp up the intensity at different points to simulate riding up a steep hill, for example. At some points in the class you may be standing up on the pedals with the tension cranked up high, while at others the tension will be low and you'll pedal as fast as you can for a sprint.

The benefits of spinning are easy to notice; in addition to burning a lot of calories you'll be strengthening your calves and thighs. Most classes last at least 40 minutes and require you to have some stamina, which makes spinning ideal for advanced exercisers.

You don't need any special equipment for spinning, just comfortable workout clothes. However, you should bring a sweatband or small towel, because you will be working hard. Some people prefer padded cycling shorts for spinning, although they aren't essential. But if you are going to be a regular at spinning classes, get a pair of stiff-soled cycling shoes. Most running and other athletic shoes are too soft for intense cycling and your feet may start to go numb by the end of the class.

Also, if you are new to spinning, be sure to ask the instructor to help you adjust the heights of the seat and handlebars before the class. Maintaining proper form makes the class more fun and protects you from injury.

Would you like to reap the benefits of working out with a personal trainer without the strain on your budget? Consider sharing training sessions with a friend. You won't get quite as much individual attention, but if you are an experienced exerciser who just wants to reassess and revise your workout regimen, splitting training sessions with someone else can be a good investment.

The trainer may charge slightly more for two people, but you will probably pay less than you would for one-on-one sessions. For best results, pick a friend whose level of fitness is about the same as yours and who has similar goals, so the trainer can easily meet both your needs at once.

Another benefit to an exercise partner at the gym is that you have someone to spot you if you are engaged in a serious weight lifting or bodybuilding program. This saves you the time of having to track down a staff member at the gym to spot you on the bench press.

That's not all; there are benefits of an activity partner when exercising outdoors. If you are training for an event, such as a triathlon, or even a 10-K, that requires a time commitment, it can be easier to stick to a schedule if you plan to work out with a friend. And it doesn't have to be every day. Even meeting once a week for a long run with a training partner makes the 15 miles go by faster. After all, what better way to spend your time than with a friend, catching up, letting off steam and getting fitter all at once?

If you want a unique fitness challenge that will get you in even greater shape, consider boot camp workouts. Boot camp classes are modeled on the basic training programs used by the military, with push-ups, sit-ups, running, jumping and climbing. Sometimes these classes are held outdoors, but a number of gyms offer indoor boot camp workouts, which can be more convenient.

Similarly, there are boot camp classes that mimic fire fighters' training; you may yourself find lifting and dragging weighted bags to simulate hauling heavy hoses or rescuing people from burning buildings. There are yoga boot camps and ballet boot camps, too, that combine yoga or ballet moves with more aerobic activity and extra abdominal work. Some boot camp workouts focus very specifically on a technique, such as the subset of yoga poses that involve arm balance.

Boot camp workouts are not for beginners--these are tough classes, and even experienced exercisers are likely to feel soreness in muscles they didn't even know they had. That said, these group workouts will get you in great shape thanks to major calorie burning.

The booming online fitness community adds a new dimension to the concept of "group fitness." Thanks to FitFiend.com, you can seek and find information with a focus on a particular fitness topic such as running, triathlons and weight lifting, or general fitness advice about the value of stretching or how to improve your technique.

What else can you find on online fitness communities? Calorie counters, heart rate/exertion tracking tools, training schedules and descriptions of specific exercises to target trouble spots. In addition, you're able to post questions and get useful, straight-talking advice from fellow fitness fanatics. Take advantage of the expertise and experience of FitFiend.com members to help you choose workout apparel, equipment such as bikes and shoes, accessories such as watches, sunglasses or heart rate monitors, and other gear.

Online fitness communities like FitFiend.com make it easy to meet up with people in your area for a group workout or to train for an upcoming event. Of course, the same common sense applies when seeking fitness information online as anywhere else:

.Guard your identity. Don't give any financial information unless you are making a purchase or signing up for an event through a reputable organization that guarantees your security.
.Don't give strangers too much personal information. Don't give out your last name or any important or identifying characteristics. If posting queries on message boards or providing answers to others based on your own expertise, there is no need to reveal personal details that aren't related to the fitness question.

Even if you usually prefer to exercise on your own, consider a group fitness class to add variety to your workout routine. The winter (or off season) of your competitive sport is a good time to try a group exercise class, when you're not under pressure to train for a big event. Some benefits of group fitness classes include:

• Meet fellow fitness fanatics. Someone you meet in a spinning class might become your weekend cycling training partner.
• Feel the group energy. Yes, you can do a yoga practice at home with a DVD. But many people find that they are able to get more from a class by drawing on the collective energy of a group, and you may find yourself energized by being with others who are as committed to improving their fitness as you are.
• Get tips and advice. When you take a yoga class, for example, the instructor will likely walk around and adjust your form or offer props so you can get the maximum benefits from each pose. You can't replicate that experience by following a yoga video on your own at home.

• Be on time. Know when the class starts and be dressed and ready (not walking in the door) at that time. Most gyms have busy class schedules, with one class directly following the next, and some have a policy of not allowing people into the class if they are even 2 minutes late.
• Sign up if you need to. Some classes have limited space and require you to sign up in advance. If this is true of your class, be sure to sign up to secure your spot.

As a veteran of group fitness classes, you probably have favorite instructors. But if you have always been a solo exerciser and want to expand your fitness regimen by trying a class that is new to you, keep an eye out for these signs of savvy group fitness instructors:

They watch the class: If the instructor spends more time looking at himself or herself in the mirror than moving around the room and adjusting the participants' technique as needed, then look for another class.

• They explain the moves: An instructor who says "watch me first" is a good one, especially in a yoga class, which often involves a series of movements to enter a particular pose. In addition, good instructors will tell you where you should be feeling a stretch or a muscle working. They will use words that you can understand while also teaching you terms for the exercises that you're doing.
• They check on you: Good instructors will ask whether anyone is new or has any injuries at the beginning of a class. This is important because a good instructor can show you an alternative exercise or pose, and help you take part in the class as you recover from an injury.
• They make it fun: Instructors are people, too, each with his or her own personality. If you thrive in a more intense class, or prefer an instructor who is more supportive, it may take some trial and error to find the right fit. The class should become an enjoyable part of your overall fitness plan, not something to dread.
• And last but not least, good instructors are certified by a reputable association in the specialty, whether it is aerobics, spinning, yoga or martial arts.