Indo-Row: Sequel to the Spin Craze?

As a fitness editor and health reporter, this year alone I've already tried kickboxing, dozens of yoga and Pilates sessions, hiking, biking, boxing and Body Pumping until my thighs literally throbbed. But I haven't experienced a heart-thumping, cardio-sculpting workout like Indo-Row in a long time. I went to my first class at Revolution Studio on Montana Avenue in Santa Monica, Calif., a smallish Westside Spinning studio with a great, organic vibe. Ironman and ultra-endurance athlete Josh Crosby waited in class (with a wide range of other folks) to introduce us to our rowers, and then we competed in groups of four to eight. As you go, the Indo-Row machine emits water-sounding rowing noises and is designed to emulate the exact dynamics of a boat moving across the water, so its unique geometry makes it easy to row with good technique, even for a beginner like me.

You start slowly to gradually prep your muscles, grow accustomed to the synchronicity and learn how to lengthen your stroke and decrease intensity smoothly. While competing in small groups, you still move to the rhythm of your own rower, much like a Spinning bike class experience. The highly-efficient rate of caloric expenditure is, in fact, similar to Spinning – anywhere from 400 to 600 calories per class, depending on fitness level and your rowing intensity. In the 50-minute class, time totally flies because of the vigorous team spirit and sense of camaraderie. Another bonus: Indo-Row is a cardiovascular workout but also a great low-impact, total-body toner (minimal stress on the joints), and there's far less pounding than during running or weightlifting. And I discovered that you can't effectively row without the deepest continuous core contraction -– so my hips and abs were surprisingly sore the next day.

This team-oriented Indo-Row phenom originated in LA, but it's available in a dozen health clubs across the country. Hollywood hot-bods such as Estella Warren and Tate Donovan have perspired their way through classes, and certain Hollywood A-listers have been known to row alongside their bodyguards. "Rowing as a team helps improve fitness, but working out in synchronicity skyrockets your endorphin levels," says Crosby. "You'll row next to an 80-year-old athlete, a soccer mom, a teenager and a golfer who wants to increase endurance. Rowing is the great exercise equalizer, and anyone can do it and get a powerful, inspiring and fun workout," says Crosby.

To break up exercise boredom, it really helps to try a newfangled routine.