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By Juan J Miret

Learn Spanish while you train with a smarter than average spinning class.

If you break out in a cold sweat at the thought of language lessons, then, here’s an even better reason to perspire: A company in San Francisco, California, named Connect 18 is launching spin classes that promise to tone your gray matter as well as your body. While riding a stationary bike, you’ll take virtual tours of countries like Mexico and Spain via big screen, cycle centric travel documentary.

The first spin and learn studio just opened and others will follow next year in Los Angeles, New York and Chicago.

In a recent trial run, about a dozen of spinners pedaled down inviting tree lined boulevards in San Angel, an artists’ colony in Mexico City. The film (shot at handlebar level to create the illusion of moving) featured Spanish vocabulary on screen and opportunities for riders to brush up on conversational skills with locals.

The company plans to offer a range of classes (hour long) that vary in both physical difficulty and language proficiency.

According with the National Academy of Sciences, moderate aerobic training yields a big mental boost. And a recent report of the University of Georgia, found improvements in reaction time, decision making and cognition during and after aerobic activities.

So what are you waiting for? Run… I mean: Pedal!!!