Find out why rowing is replacing the spin class
Why rowing is replacing our obsession with spin
Rowing machines are making a comeback. Once the slightly dull-seeming device we’d reluctantly jump on at the end of our gym session for a finisher, rowing classes are fast replacing spin as our go-to cardio workout, as you can burn up to 1,000 calories in a single session.
WAY TO ROW
Owner of Metabolic Gym (@metabolicldn), Lawrence Hannah has been blazing a trail for rowing in the UK with the introduction of Metabolic’s award-winning Meta-row classes, incorporating grouprowing blasts with strength circuits. He tells heat, “Rowing is a total body workout, targeting the legs, abs and upper body. It makes demands of the cardiovascular system, while also promoting strength. Also, it’s a low-impact exercise, with less likelihood of injury.” But why train as a group? Often, you’ll be working towards a specific target – either a distance or a calorie burn – and working as a team will help you hit that mark.
“Training solo can be really tough,” says Lawrence. “You have to be super-motivated and focused. With a group, although it can be a little intimidating at first, you get an energy and a sense of teamwork or community – almost like you are all in it together. So, when you hit that rough patch in the class, the buzz of the group can keep you going.”
POWER OF PULL
Thankfully, rowing on a machine is much easier than taking to actual water – and there’s less chance of tipping overboard. But there are still some techniques you’ll need to remember to perfect your stroke. “There are four phases to a stroke: the catch, the drive, the finish and the recovery,” Lawrence explains. “In the gym, I see too much emphasis on the upper body, and too many arched or bent backs – you should use your legs to generate power, and try to hinge from the hips with a straight back.”
So, the only question that remains is: are you ready to row?