Worth leaving the sofa for?

Rowbots

It’s been hailed as the new spinning and its fans include footballer Gareth Bale. But is Rowbots really the fitness holy grail? Fashion editor Tamara Abraham finds out

THE ROWER HAS a reputation as the most boring machine in the gym. But new boutique fitness studio Rowbots begs to differ, and has given the activity a ‘mindful’ makeover.

Mindful rowing, really?

Yep, Rowbots combines rowing, floor exercises and mindfulness techniques in classes developed by Olympic athletes and top sports psychologists. The idea is that by the end of the class you’ll feel more invigorated and empowered.

And it’s supposed to be good?

It has the same cardiovascular benefits as running, but with less impact on the joints. And because it works every major muscle group, it tones the body efficiently too, especially the abs, bottom and legs. Rowbots claims to zap up to 800 calories in one session, as well as improving posture.

Sounds hard...

It is, but it’s not scary. Beginners get a five-minute tutorial on how to use the machine, including correct positioning to avoid injury and get the most effective workout. There are 22 people in each class – half on the rowing machines and the other half on the floor. It begins with a warm-up: the instructor (I had Pele) sets a moderate pace for the rowers before guiding those on the floor through a sequence of lunges, planks and squats. You alternate between the rower and the floor, with the exercises increasing in intensity as the class progresses.

I’ll need a little more convincing...

The final round is a partner challenge, involving sprints on the rower and burpees on the floor. It’s brief but intense, and even though I struggled with the final few minutes, working as a team creates a sense of camaraderie, and Pele had us high-fiving at the end, before a semi-meditative stretching session. Some fitness classes’ attempts at mindful fitness can feel a little fake or heavyhanded, but this didn’t. It was more like a fun, immersive experience where you can really switch off.

Did it feel like it went on for ever?

No, each class lasts 45 minutes – long enough to get a decent workout, but not so long that you’re watching the clock.

But will I keep it up?

I think any kind of exercise is great for the mind and this is a funwaytoworkupasweat– though I’m not convinced that it has more mental-health benefits than a run or spin class. It’s definitely got the potential to become addictive, though.

Classes from £19.50, Rowbots, Fitzrovia, London W1; rowbots. co.uk. For nationwide group rowing, try britishrowing.org