Hi everyone - I'm Jamie Munks and I'm the new business and education reporter for The Saratogian. I encourage anyone who wants to get in touch with me to do so with tips, questions, comments, etc., by phone at 583-8729 ext. 219, or by email at jmunks@saratogian.com. I'll look forward to hearing from you!

And now here's some exciting news for those of you who are looking for a new place to work out.

I just spoke to Angela Amedio, who is planning to offer spinning classes at The Saratoga Cycling Studio, slated to open April 30 at 24 Hamilton Street. Spinning, if by chance you haven't heard of it by now, is a popular fitness trend where an instructor leads a class of people who are on stationary bikes through a fun and vigorous workout. It's something Amedio sees a need for in Saratoga Springs.

Amedio will have a staff of six and there will be 20 bikes in the studio. What's different about her studio from big box gyms is that it will be more of a boutique experience, and she won't require people to join or pay initiation fees in order to take classes. You can also sign up for classes online, on their website, which launched today. There's also an open house event scheduled for the new business at 3 p.m. April 28.

Amedio wants to offer a non-intimidating spinning environment, and said people shouldn't be scared about signing up because they think it will be too intense. She's also reached out to the Saratoga Springs school district about getting local children involved because it's a low-impact way to exercise. But that's not the only plus.

"It's good for camaraderie," she said.

--Jamie