Rō Fitness: Best Cardio Alternative to Running

Even if you love running, rowing – or better yet the rowing machine – is the best low impact cardio alternative out there. And Rō Fitness is Austin’s only indoor rowing studio.

You’ve probably tried the rowing machines at the gym before with no results. But that’s likely because you were doing it wrong. After taking just one class at Rō Fitness (your first class is free), your workout routine will be changed.

Running Is Overrated

Co-Founder Chelsea Moore competed and coached rowing for several years before opening her indoor rowing studio. Her motivation? Simple. To make her beloved sport accessible to everyone. She wants to teach people the correct technique when rowing and get them excited about this great workout that can expand their fitness repertoire.

And everyone is welcome. Literally. Everyone. From absolute beginners to advanced rowers, from injured runners to mountain bikers, each class can be tailored to meet the individual’s fitness level and needs.

And Rō Fitness is a great alternate to running. I admit, I’m not a runner. I actually despise running. And I know that by admitting this, I risk being outcast by my fellow 26.2 obsessed Austinites (26.2 is the number of miles in a marathon, for all my non-runners out there). But honestly, I dislike running mostly because it hurts my knees. So when I get bored in the gym, I can’t just go run the trail at Lady Bird Lake. Instead, I’m always on the lookout for low impact, high cardio alternatives to running. Rō Fitness offers that and more, because did I mention that rowing also works your arms, legs, back and core?

First Class Is Free

Thank goodness for that. I like to think I’m pretty athletic and I dabble in a lot of sports: kayaking, rock climbing, lifting weights, yoga. So I figured my first class at Rō Fitness would be no big deal. Well, that wasn’t exactly the case. I was definitely doing something that looked like a row, but I couldn’t get the technique down at first. The wrong muscles were getting the best workout.

But the folks at Rō are interested in teaching the right techniques to keep you uninjured and coming back for more. My instructor, Alec, came over several times to help me with my form, explaining exactly what I was doing wrong and how to increase my intensity. He was really motivating, and by the end of class I was finally rowing like a “pro” and feeling it in all the right spots. So don’t let being a beginner deter you.

Located on Lady Bird Lake

The Rō studio is located along the Hike and Bike Trail in the new Waller Creek Boathouse at 74 Trinity St, next to the cafe. The views of Lady Bird Lake are stunning and, if it’s a nice day, your class could be held outside.

If you live or work downtown, this is an easy way to blend fitness into your day. With early morning classes, you can fit a workout in before work. Or just swing by in the evening before happy hour starts. They have showers, so sweat away.

 

@jpino9 asks:

What’s your favorite cardio workout?