Kendall
8 Months at Rō
Weight Lost: 46lbs
Frequency at Rō: approx. 3 classes per week
What keeps you coming to classes?
Great instructors, an environment that is both competitive and supportive at the same time. The competition is with yourself and those effin' pace boats and the support comes from the instructors and the regulars that I row with Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
What other changes did you make to aid in the weight loss? Well, basically, just eating more healthy foods and eating out less. My joke is that I don't eat P. Terry's 21 times a week like I used to do. I'm rowing 4 days a week and doing strength training 3 days so staying active certainly helps.
Last year, I went to visit my son and daughter-in-law... One afternoon, we went to the park to hang out and my job was to carry the cooler. 5 blocks. I was so fat and out of shape that by the time I got there, I was completely out of breath and came to the conclusion that I had to make a few life changes. I started by reading a book called "Younger Next Year" then spent a couple of months walking in the mornings to start to improve my fitness just a bit (I had an ACL repair many years ago so anything high impact doesn't really work for me) and once I improved just a bit and was ready for something a bit more challenging, I found my way to Rō.
What should others know about your weight loss journey?
A few things actually...
8 Months at Rō
Weight Lost: 46lbs
Frequency at Rō: approx. 3 classes per week
What keeps you coming to classes?
Great instructors, an environment that is both competitive and supportive at the same time. The competition is with yourself and those effin' pace boats and the support comes from the instructors and the regulars that I row with Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
What other changes did you make to aid in the weight loss? Well, basically, just eating more healthy foods and eating out less. My joke is that I don't eat P. Terry's 21 times a week like I used to do. I'm rowing 4 days a week and doing strength training 3 days so staying active certainly helps.
Last year, I went to visit my son and daughter-in-law... One afternoon, we went to the park to hang out and my job was to carry the cooler. 5 blocks. I was so fat and out of shape that by the time I got there, I was completely out of breath and came to the conclusion that I had to make a few life changes. I started by reading a book called "Younger Next Year" then spent a couple of months walking in the mornings to start to improve my fitness just a bit (I had an ACL repair many years ago so anything high impact doesn't really work for me) and once I improved just a bit and was ready for something a bit more challenging, I found my way to Rō.
What should others know about your weight loss journey?
A few things actually...
- -Don't let a sedentary lifestyle get away from you. 50 pounds is a hell of a lot harder to lose than 5 or even 15.
- -Really, exercise and a good diet is just a habit. Once you start and stick with it a bit, it becomes second nature.
- -You don't have to do it by yourself. Having an accountability partner and a supportive environment helps.
- -Don't keep it a secret. Tell your friends what you are trying to accomplish and that will help you hold yourself accountable for your goals.
- -Think big, act small. By that I mean picture where you want to end up but set small goals along the way and celebrate those successes when you reach them.
- -If I can do it, anyone can.
Kristina K.
Almost 2 Years at Rō
What keeps you motivated? I stay motivated because I can tell that I am getting stronger. Every time I hit a new high in my watts, I want to keep moving and find a new level. Looking better in my clothes is another motivator, I am leaner and have more muscle definition than when I started going to classes.
What is your favorite aspect of classes at Rō? This is corny, but I love everything about Rō. The instructors are awesome because they make everyone feel welcome. Every instructor pushes you in their own way. This makes each class challenging in its own way. I'm also very happy to have met an amazing group of people that I can now call friends. Seeing friendly faces suffering along side you helps push you past your limits.
What workouts have you tried previously?
I've trained for half marathons, boot camps, and crossfit.
What makes Ro stand out from other workouts?
I love that each workout at Ro is different. You could go to Rō everyday and never do the same workout twice. I also like that everyone at every level will be challenged. If it's easy then you're doing something wrong. After training for several half marathons my knees hurt when I run, and I do not have that issue with rowing on the erg.
What's your advice for people setting the typical workout New Year's resolution? I joined Ro fitness almost two years ago as part of my New Years resolution, and I've stuck with it. I made up my mind to become more fit in 2015, not thinner, not stronger, just more fit. I guess my advice is keep your resolution simple and attainable.
Why should people consider Ro in order to achieve their goals?
It's good for all levels of athletes. Rowing is awesome for building your strength and your cardiovascular fitness!
Almost 2 Years at Rō
What keeps you motivated? I stay motivated because I can tell that I am getting stronger. Every time I hit a new high in my watts, I want to keep moving and find a new level. Looking better in my clothes is another motivator, I am leaner and have more muscle definition than when I started going to classes.
What is your favorite aspect of classes at Rō? This is corny, but I love everything about Rō. The instructors are awesome because they make everyone feel welcome. Every instructor pushes you in their own way. This makes each class challenging in its own way. I'm also very happy to have met an amazing group of people that I can now call friends. Seeing friendly faces suffering along side you helps push you past your limits.
What workouts have you tried previously?
I've trained for half marathons, boot camps, and crossfit.
What makes Ro stand out from other workouts?
I love that each workout at Ro is different. You could go to Rō everyday and never do the same workout twice. I also like that everyone at every level will be challenged. If it's easy then you're doing something wrong. After training for several half marathons my knees hurt when I run, and I do not have that issue with rowing on the erg.
What's your advice for people setting the typical workout New Year's resolution? I joined Ro fitness almost two years ago as part of my New Years resolution, and I've stuck with it. I made up my mind to become more fit in 2015, not thinner, not stronger, just more fit. I guess my advice is keep your resolution simple and attainable.
Why should people consider Ro in order to achieve their goals?
It's good for all levels of athletes. Rowing is awesome for building your strength and your cardiovascular fitness!
Miguel C.
As a biker, swimmer and runner in his past, he knows how to push the limits of fitness. After a 3 year fitness hiatus, he found he had gained 80 lbs. He started at Rō in early August and found that rowing was the perfect way to come back to make fitness a priority again. Check out his journey, in his own words!
How did you get started at Ro? I was familiar with the indoor rowing machine only through seeing the House of Cards main character, Frank Underwood, using an indoor rowing machine. Many months later, I was biking on the hike-and-bike trail and saw the Rō Fitness sign at the Waller Creek Boathouse. The idea of indoor rowing seemed fun to me, and I tried it to see if indoor rowing could help me lose weight.
When did you begin classes? I started indoor rowing at the beginning of August 2014. It was the perfect way to escape the Austin heat! My weight back then was 240 pounds (pictured). Two months later, after attending class several times a week consistently, I was down to 220 pounds and was still losing! Fast forward 10 months later, I am now down to 182 (pictured). Along with rowing I started eating healthier and sleeping more. After about 2-3 weeks, I got a lot of energy and my mood improved. A big way Ro contributed was that the instructors are so welcoming and good at what they do... it makes me want to go back over and over again. Also the people that attend the classes are very diverse in their levels of fitness, which really helps to create a warm and inviting environment.
What keeps you coming to class? I love the small group atmosphere. It really helps to have others around me working out and also have friendly instructors to dedicate one-on-one time with each one of the rowers. The downtown location lake views are the best and the Tarrytown location is so convenient.
As a biker, swimmer and runner in his past, he knows how to push the limits of fitness. After a 3 year fitness hiatus, he found he had gained 80 lbs. He started at Rō in early August and found that rowing was the perfect way to come back to make fitness a priority again. Check out his journey, in his own words!
How did you get started at Ro? I was familiar with the indoor rowing machine only through seeing the House of Cards main character, Frank Underwood, using an indoor rowing machine. Many months later, I was biking on the hike-and-bike trail and saw the Rō Fitness sign at the Waller Creek Boathouse. The idea of indoor rowing seemed fun to me, and I tried it to see if indoor rowing could help me lose weight.
When did you begin classes? I started indoor rowing at the beginning of August 2014. It was the perfect way to escape the Austin heat! My weight back then was 240 pounds (pictured). Two months later, after attending class several times a week consistently, I was down to 220 pounds and was still losing! Fast forward 10 months later, I am now down to 182 (pictured). Along with rowing I started eating healthier and sleeping more. After about 2-3 weeks, I got a lot of energy and my mood improved. A big way Ro contributed was that the instructors are so welcoming and good at what they do... it makes me want to go back over and over again. Also the people that attend the classes are very diverse in their levels of fitness, which really helps to create a warm and inviting environment.
What keeps you coming to class? I love the small group atmosphere. It really helps to have others around me working out and also have friendly instructors to dedicate one-on-one time with each one of the rowers. The downtown location lake views are the best and the Tarrytown location is so convenient.
Casey S.
"When my orthopedist informed me that I had early signs of arthritis in my knees after playing basketball my whole life, he recommended I try low impact exercises. He specifically cited rowing and I had always wanted to try it. After I found Rō Fitness it was not soon after that it became a part of my week, twice a week - for over a year. The workouts are challenging and diverse, but most notably have made my knees and body feel great. Instructors are always outgoing, encouraging & enthusiastic. Unlike other fitness studios that make you buy in before you step foot in their facility. Also, unlike other fitness studios I really admire and value how Rō Fitness creates an atmosphere that can bring together people of all ages, body types and skill levels."
"When my orthopedist informed me that I had early signs of arthritis in my knees after playing basketball my whole life, he recommended I try low impact exercises. He specifically cited rowing and I had always wanted to try it. After I found Rō Fitness it was not soon after that it became a part of my week, twice a week - for over a year. The workouts are challenging and diverse, but most notably have made my knees and body feel great. Instructors are always outgoing, encouraging & enthusiastic. Unlike other fitness studios that make you buy in before you step foot in their facility. Also, unlike other fitness studios I really admire and value how Rō Fitness creates an atmosphere that can bring together people of all ages, body types and skill levels."
Beth
Beth started at Rō in August 2014. She began at 134 lbs, seeking a workout she could do regularly to get stronger. She picked up the technique like a pro and quickly became a regular. She incorporated a walk before and after each class, but other than that, she has exclusively been getting her workouts at Rō. As of December, she was down almost 7lbs and had lost 2.5in. from her waist!
"My waist went from 31 inches to 28.5 inches!" Beth is now a proud 127.5 lbs and is still going strong!
Thanks for the inspiration, Beth!
Beth started at Rō in August 2014. She began at 134 lbs, seeking a workout she could do regularly to get stronger. She picked up the technique like a pro and quickly became a regular. She incorporated a walk before and after each class, but other than that, she has exclusively been getting her workouts at Rō. As of December, she was down almost 7lbs and had lost 2.5in. from her waist!
"My waist went from 31 inches to 28.5 inches!" Beth is now a proud 127.5 lbs and is still going strong!
Thanks for the inspiration, Beth!
Delaine
Delaine has been taking Rō Fitness classes 1-2 times per week since September of 2014. She pairs the workouts with pilates classes once per week. While in Dayton, Ohio visiting a friend in February 2015, Delaine offered her snow-shoveling services to help her friend clear her long driveway after a big snow storm. Delaine came back to Austin with a story of how strong she felt while shoveling snow and credits the rowing classes to her full-body strength! Check out that photo...
Delaine has been taking Rō Fitness classes 1-2 times per week since September of 2014. She pairs the workouts with pilates classes once per week. While in Dayton, Ohio visiting a friend in February 2015, Delaine offered her snow-shoveling services to help her friend clear her long driveway after a big snow storm. Delaine came back to Austin with a story of how strong she felt while shoveling snow and credits the rowing classes to her full-body strength! Check out that photo...
Barbara
Barbara has always been an active person. In her past -- water skiing, hiking, you name it! "As I've grown older, staying active was increasingly challenging because of injuries," she explains. "I'd start one thing and have to stop. Repeat."
She discovered on-the-water rowing about 10 years ago and loved it. Unfortunately, due to lingering pain in her left foot she had foot surgery to address the pain - a mid-foot fusion and ankle ligament replacement. About a year later, she tried out an indoor rowing class. "It was awesome... an amazingly rigorous total-body very aerobic workout and, best of all for me, I found that it was something I could do with no negative effects on my foot."
"Rowing 3 times a week, I lost about 15 pounds and my muscle tone and balance improved!"
With correct technique, rowing strengthens the muscles around the knee. Barbara was able to discontinue taking the NSAID that relieved the pain in her arthritic knee after training on the indoor rowing machine. "My orthopedist actually told me [indoor rowing] was the best remedy for my knee!"
Best of all, Barbara is able to join her daughter, Lizzie, in workouts! "It's a HUGE bonus to have my daughter next to me cheering me on! Pura Vida!"
Barbara has always been an active person. In her past -- water skiing, hiking, you name it! "As I've grown older, staying active was increasingly challenging because of injuries," she explains. "I'd start one thing and have to stop. Repeat."
She discovered on-the-water rowing about 10 years ago and loved it. Unfortunately, due to lingering pain in her left foot she had foot surgery to address the pain - a mid-foot fusion and ankle ligament replacement. About a year later, she tried out an indoor rowing class. "It was awesome... an amazingly rigorous total-body very aerobic workout and, best of all for me, I found that it was something I could do with no negative effects on my foot."
"Rowing 3 times a week, I lost about 15 pounds and my muscle tone and balance improved!"
With correct technique, rowing strengthens the muscles around the knee. Barbara was able to discontinue taking the NSAID that relieved the pain in her arthritic knee after training on the indoor rowing machine. "My orthopedist actually told me [indoor rowing] was the best remedy for my knee!"
Best of all, Barbara is able to join her daughter, Lizzie, in workouts! "It's a HUGE bonus to have my daughter next to me cheering me on! Pura Vida!"