There are plenty of options to choose from when you’re deciding how to get in shape and be healthy. Two popular options when it comes to working out are indoor cycling (spinning) and running. Both can deliver excellent results, but spinning versus running: which is the healthier workout regimen for you?

Both workouts offer cardiovascular benefits, strengthening the heart as well as the lungs. You can also lose weight, lower your blood pressure, and increase your strength. Running and indoor cycling are also great for diabetics, as the rigorous activity can help to control and improve symptoms. Running and cycling also have mental benefits, including the relief of stress, improved relaxation, and even the management of depression. But regardless of which activity you choose, it is very important to stay hydrated. Keep a bottle of water with you at all times.

Running, of course, is one of the least expensive ways to exercise, since it only costs you time and energy. You can run anywhere, anytime, and just enjoy the fresh air in your own neighborhood. While routine running can help you lose weight and prevent obesity, research shows that you may be able to burn more calories spinning versus running. In fact, an especially high-impact Spinning class can expend up to 1,000 calories over the course of 60 minutes.

In a Spinning class, core muscles can also be developed. You can be sure that your quadriceps, glutes, and hamstrings will be put to the test. Spinning also cultivates your lower back muscles and helps improve lower back pain. Other muscles also benefit.

Running can also help you to lose weight and tone certain lower body muscles, but the activity places more stress on the joints and body, which puts you at a greater risk of injury. And while running carries certain environmental risks, a Spinning class is immune to outdoor variables such as traffic, hills, stop signs and poor weather conditions. With indoor cycling, you don’t have to worry about any of these things. You can just enjoy the ride.

Having an experienced instructor in a Spinning class can make your time more fun and enjoyable. The instructor can show you a routine that is comfortable and fulfilling for you. As an added benefit, Spinning provides great opportunities to meet new people and make friends. Check out your local gym or workout center and find a schedule that fits yours. Regardless of which workout you choose, remember to stay active every day. It just may add valuable years to your life.

If you have any questions about indoor cycling classes, check out Spinning.com.

Jordan Spindler is a freelance writer and avid fitness enthusiast. His health and fitness articles has been published in a number of national news publications, including the Houston Chronicle and the San Francisco Chronicle. He is a graduate of the University of California Riverside, and although his degree is in English, his passions are fitness and self-improvement.