Aside from Henley Regatta, rowing has had very little air time in the past; the machine has sat lonely in the gym corner with very little action.
However, in recent times there has been a surge of interest in the trusty rower because of its full-body health benefits. No other form of cardio training combines upper and lower body training with core into a total body workout. Rowing is said to work 85% of your muscles, which is similar to doing hundreds of low-weight reps on all your major muscle groups. In addition, working all your core muscles helps build body strength and posture. And finally, if we have not convinced you enough, rowing is a low-impact form of exercise that is much better for your joints than high impact styles of training so your older self will thank you for it.
You might already have your go-to studio and favourite instructors whose class you would never dream of missing but if you are looking to try something new, there is a new wave of studios proving that the humble rower is so much more versatile than you once thought. Here is a round-up of the best studios in London to give it a go. Strap your feet in, your body and mind will thank you for it.
