America's Hardest Workout Classes

The Mount Everest Ride

Try It At: Cornerstone Health & Fitness, Doylestown, Pennsylvania

The Benefit: Burn more than a day's worth of calories in just three hours.

Calories Burned: 2,000 plus!

Professional cyclist (and Spinning master instructor) Josh Taylor teaches this three-hour Spinning class that simulates a climb up Mount Everest -- complete with a spectacular slide show. You'll visualize pedaling up sheer vertical terrain to the base camp, then continuing to camps one through four. "When we get to 'camp,' we rest, pedaling with no resistance for 5 to 10 minutes," says Taylor. During this inspiring marathon, cyclists simulate steep climbs, frequently riding out of the saddle. Taylor plays Tibetan chants to set the mood while shouting out encouragement.

Signature Move: Climbing the Peak

Once the class reaches the "crest," Taylor asks students to close their eyes and ride at their hardest resistance for 10 minutes out of the saddle. Half the class sobs or shouts hysterically when they reach the "top" and Taylor tells them to visualize placing their stake at the peak of Mount Everest.

At Home: Try Spinning Spin & Burn DVD, $24.95 at spinning.com.