One of my favorites thing about this blog (and now my job) is the ability to try out a bunch of workout classes. It’s like adult playtime!
This morning, I had the opportunity to try CityRow.
Let me first say: I did Uplift Strength Monday and Uplift Cardio yesterday. I. am. sore.
Moving on.
Remember how I fell in love with yoga last year because I found an AMAZING instructor, Annie? Well, she just opened a hot new rowing/yoga studio.
Pretty!
It’s already been profiled in Well + Good and the New York Times. From the attention I’ve seen rowing workouts getting lately, it looks like they will be A Thing in 2014.
A few months ago, I tried a rowing workout at CrossFit and loved it. I don’t currently belong to a gym, but I would always remember the rowing machine being the redheaded stepchild that nobody ever used. When I was burnt out on every other machine, I’d go over to the rower and give it some loving for a little while, and every time, I’d forget what a good workout it is.
This morning, we tried their Signature Row class, a 50-minute class that alternates intervals of rowing and strength moves. I couldn’t see any kind of clock, but I’d assume each interval was about six minutes long?
During the rowing intervals, we’d alternate between steady-state rowing and sprints. At the end of each interval, before moving on to the mat, we’d rack the rowing bar thingy (technical term) and do some rowing without our arms to stretch our legs out a bit.
On the mat, we’d do push-ups, lunges, squats (ow, ow) and yes, even some rows.
I’ve tried a lot of classes in my day, some hard, some easy, but very few where I think “damn! I would be STRONG if I did this class all the time.”
The rowers were on the Indorow, which makes a really cool, wave-like sound. You can’t really hear it during class because of the music, but it’s a cool idea.
Oh, and the view is terrible, right?
Our instructor was the super-charismatic Shaun Jenkins. I would like to have a quarter of the energy of this man. He was funny and engaging as he literally bounced around the room.
Annie is teaching a Row and Flow class – 15 minutes of rowing and 30 minutes of Vinyasa that I am DYING to take as soon as my schedule allows.
For now, I’ll just take pics with her.
What’s your favorite neglected machine at the gym? Have you ever taken/would you take a rowing class?
No idea why I chose Frank Sinatra lyrics to name my last post on this…
As I mentioned in my last post, I've really been going through it with headaches.…
(tw for diet culture talk—mostly how it's BS, but how it's affected me, too) This…
I have been thinking about this post for a while—on why diet culture is unhealthy…
I woke up this morning already feeling anxious. (Yay!) My standard iPhone alarm is set…
I read The Midnight Library over the weekend, and I need to talk about it.…
View Comments
I would be interested in trying that class! I LOVE a rowing workout, but unfortunately my gym doesn't have a rowing machine. Ideally, I'd have one at home.
Hi there, i was trying to contact you directly but couldn't find a contact email. I was wondering if I could take this opportunity to tell you about The 5 Rivers Journey, the new diet and lifestyle book that is currently taking the UK by storm. It incorporates meditation, moderation and mastication! It's only 5 pounds and available at @5riversjourney or http://www.the5riversjourney.com. It contains practical tips for anyone to go on their own journey and gently flow to the body and lifestyle they seek. Check it out people. And apologies if this comes across as spam. It isn't. x xx much love 5 Rivers x x
I fear the pain that my arms would be in after a rowing class. My poor arms are very weak. I'll take a leg workout any day.
That's actually a pretty common misconception about rowing! You really use more like 60% legs (to push off) and then 20% core and 20% arms in the push and pull.
Rowing was my favorite at Crossit - so cool to see dedicated studios for it
I LOVE rowing. I wish I could do it more, but I'm not really into CrossFit, which is where I first realized that I love rowing. That place looks AWESOME!
Love the idea of this place. The closest place even sort of like this is an hour and a half away. I too learned I like rowing at cross fit but cross fit did not work for my body. I will at least hop on the rowing machine more at the gym. Still not as cool as this but a good one to add into the rotation.
I can tell you that when Bo and I return to NYC we will both be living here! As rowers we both love the rowing machine and the workout you get is incredible. I love the point that you make in the comments about the 60, 20, 20 - you should add it to the review. It's so true as I often watch people at the gym rowing all wrong as they're using their arms and shoulders or flopping around. I'd love to do a 30:30 class - 30 rowing and 30 yoga but the 30:15 sounds great too!!
I saw City Row featured on Well + Good today and it seems that rowing is the new thing. Friends here in LA take an IndoRow class but since my back is still wonky, I've skipped it.
However, I'd love to try a 15 minute class followed by 30 minutes of yoga! Nice!
PS - In answer to your email that I haven't answered yet (sorry!), I'm not sure when I'll be back in town but I'm hoping for an early spring visit.
What an amazing combination! I'd love for something like that to open in Chicago. I broke my pelvis and rowing is one of the only cardio workouts I can do, it's crazy how hard it is!
Same thing at my gym, NO ONE ever uses them. Will have to give them a try this week. What is your favorite workout class that you have taken in the past year or so?