Row Your Way to a Sexy Booty and Rock Hard Abs at CityRow Spa Week Editor All Stories, Fit-spiration, Fitness, Workout Wednesday 35 Comments CityRow is one of our Junior Editor, Leah Gay’s, favorite workout classes. They just launched their latest studio on the Upper East Side. Naturally, after hearing such rave reviews, I had to pop in to check out the new digs and take one of their awesome water-based rowers for a ride. Located on Third Avenue at 80th Street, CityRow’s beautiful new location was not an easy trek for this Brooklyn-ite, but I was dying to try out the boutique fitness studio so I dragged my in-much-need-of-toning butt out of bed on the first Monday back from winter break at 5:30 AM so I could make it to their 8:00 AM class on time. “New year, new me” had never felt so real. Once inside the warm, inviting boutique, I was warmly greeted be a friendly face. After checking in I was told my class would be in the downstairs studio so I made my way past an array of adorable athleticwear and caught a glimpse of their upstairs studio before heading downstairs to their impressive locker rooms. After securing all my belongings, I grabbed two sets of weights (heavy and light) and situated myself on one of the gorgeous water-based row machines. Our instructor, Melody was super chipper and enthusiastic. Two qualities everyone in the room were severely lacking at such an early hour, but over the course of the next 50 minutes, we were all on her level and completely energized. If you’re a newbie to rowing, fear not. This class starts with an intro to the proper way to row. Once everyone was prepped and ready to go, it was time to get turnt. I’ve taken a few rowing classes elsewhere and my form always gets corrected, so I’m not going to lie, I was pretty psyched that Melody never had to correct me. Definitely a nod to her teaching skills. I was also psyched that the class included a ton of floor work, my personal favorite. Core, butt, legs, arms, we did it all — both on the rower and on the mat with and without weights. By the time we were on minute three of planking after rowing our hearts out you best believe I was a Sweaty Betty. But Melody’s spirit combined with the bumping music and my serious lack of muscle definition after the holidays — I crunched, planked, and rowed on. By the end of the class as I cooled down I wasn’t just ready to take on the day, I also couldn’t wait to take on the sore muscles the next day was sure to bring. The signature sign of a great workout. Ready to get a total body workout at CityRow? Head to their site to check out their schedule and book a class at their Upper East Side or Union Square location. Each class costs $32. Have you ever tried rowing? Congratulations! You found one of the secret questions for our Wellness From the Inside Out giveaway! Answer in the comments section below for one entry to win this week’s prize. Then, make sure to keep searching our latest stories for more chances to win. PS: We’ll be posting hints about the stories containing our hidden questions on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter so don’t forget to follow us and check those feeds daily. 35 Responses Diana Smith Hill January 19, 2016 I never tried rowing in a gym, but I have rowed many boats. I am sure it’s the same thing. I bet it would be amazing for your core and your arms (areas I need to work on right now!. Yes I would. I would love a gym membership, for me that would be the ideal gift! Reply Daniela Plume January 19, 2016 no i haven’t yet. i love the elliptical, stair master & spinning though. Reply Julie January 19, 2016 I haven’t, but it looks fun! Reply Staci Z. January 19, 2016 I have not tried rowing but if there was one near me I would definitely give it a shot. Reply HM Wince January 19, 2016 Yes! It’s a great calorie killer! Reply Sharday L. January 19, 2016 I’ve tried rowing a few times. It’s a great workout. Reply deborah b January 19, 2016 no I have not, but considering it is good for strengthening your core, I would like to so I can improve my posture and lower my back pain naturally! Reply latanya January 19, 2016 no, I have not, but it looks fun and hard Reply Marie Byrne January 16, 2016 I love rowing but ergs are hard work Reply Marie Byrne January 16, 2016 I love rowing, especially my water based sessions but I find ergs so hard Reply Patty January 15, 2016 No. Reply Irene January 13, 2016 I have never tried it! Reply Christa January 13, 2016 I have heard it is a great way to exercise but I have never done it. Reply Elizabeth E January 13, 2016 I did some rowing at the YMCA, about 15 years ago! Reply Kathleen DiMartino January 13, 2016 I never have! Reply Kay January 11, 2016 tried it on a machine, but found it to be very boring. Reply Tara B January 11, 2016 I haven’t tried rowing, but I know it is a great workout. Reply Adrienne V Williamson January 11, 2016 I have not but it looks like a lot of fun! Reply Sandy Weinstein January 8, 2016 i used to use the rowing machine at the gym all of the time. now i just use the stretch ropes at home. Reply Stephanie V. January 7, 2016 Yes, many many moons ago and pooped out after 5 minutes. Not pretty. lol tvollowitz at aol dot com Reply Nicole Margrif January 6, 2016 No I have not Reply Courtney S January 6, 2016 No but I’m sure my body would thank me afterwards.. Reply Nancy H January 6, 2016 Gym only…not on the water! Reply Stephanie Upton January 6, 2016 I’ve never tried it before, didn’t think I was really for me, but this article makes the best argument I’ve heard so far!! :)) Sounds like I might need to re-think this!! :)) Reply patricia January 6, 2016 I have not tried rowing, but after reading this article I will try one at the gym. Thanks! Reply Colleen January 5, 2016 I tried rowing years ago. It was a good workout! Reply amy stonger January 5, 2016 I have not tried it but sounds like a great workout. Reply Susan P. January 5, 2016 I’ve only rowed in a real boat, not as an exercise with a machine. Reply Mary W January 5, 2016 I have tried rowing but did not stick with it long enough. It’s a great work out! Reply Amy January 5, 2016 Yes been on a rowing machine, but the best arm workout was with a kayak… Reply Hannah Avery January 5, 2016 Have done a canoe, not a machine! Reply Alexia January 5, 2016 I haven’t tried rowing but my dad swears by it and has for years! Reply Florence Mims January 5, 2016 I have tried rowing, only on a machine though (not in the water.) Reply Jean January 12, 2016 I have never done a rowing class but have been told it is a great workout. I like to kayak but I’m sure rowing is much more intense Reply Elly Craig January 5, 2016 Yes! Love rowing! 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Diana Smith Hill January 19, 2016 I never tried rowing in a gym, but I have rowed many boats. I am sure it’s the same thing. I bet it would be amazing for your core and your arms (areas I need to work on right now!. Yes I would. I would love a gym membership, for me that would be the ideal gift! Reply
Daniela Plume January 19, 2016 no i haven’t yet. i love the elliptical, stair master & spinning though. Reply
Staci Z. January 19, 2016 I have not tried rowing but if there was one near me I would definitely give it a shot. Reply
deborah b January 19, 2016 no I have not, but considering it is good for strengthening your core, I would like to so I can improve my posture and lower my back pain naturally! Reply
Marie Byrne January 16, 2016 I love rowing, especially my water based sessions but I find ergs so hard Reply
Sandy Weinstein January 8, 2016 i used to use the rowing machine at the gym all of the time. now i just use the stretch ropes at home. Reply
Stephanie V. January 7, 2016 Yes, many many moons ago and pooped out after 5 minutes. Not pretty. lol tvollowitz at aol dot com Reply
Stephanie Upton January 6, 2016 I’ve never tried it before, didn’t think I was really for me, but this article makes the best argument I’ve heard so far!! :)) Sounds like I might need to re-think this!! :)) Reply
patricia January 6, 2016 I have not tried rowing, but after reading this article I will try one at the gym. Thanks! Reply
Mary W January 5, 2016 I have tried rowing but did not stick with it long enough. It’s a great work out! Reply
Florence Mims January 5, 2016 I have tried rowing, only on a machine though (not in the water.) Reply
Jean January 12, 2016 I have never done a rowing class but have been told it is a great workout. I like to kayak but I’m sure rowing is much more intense Reply