Pity the poor rowing machine. It was popular in the 1980s when gym culture was surging, only to be eclipsed years later by more stylish (and easier to use) cardio machines such as the elliptical trainer.
But the indoor rower may be poised for a comeback. Xeno Muller, a two-time Olympic medalist (for Switzerland) in single scull rowing, has been trying to change people's perceptions of indoor rowing, from lackluster exercise to a dynamic, non-impact, full-body workout that burns considerable calories.
A tiny one-room rowing studio in Costa Mesa, sandwiched between a nail salon and a discount plant store, houses 14 rowing machines, a treadmill and some weights. Sculls hang from the ceiling, and Muller's team jerseys are pinned to the wall. Blown-up pictures of his gold medal from Atlanta and his silver from Sydney are plastered on the drink machine.
Muller opened the studio two years ago and teaches classes Monday through Saturday.
His method incorporates some unorthodox practices designed to give a more complete workout and stave off monotony. Students row with one foot on the floor, with one hand on the handlebar, and do triceps exercises. Upbeat dance music wafts from the speakers while videos of races play on two television sets.
Despite Muller's passion for the sport and the exercise, it's been a tough sell. Group rowing classes don't have the cachet of those workouts du jour such as Spinning, yoga and Pilates. Despite a number of loyal students, classes are not always full and new recruits have come slowly, usually via word of mouth.
Getting people to try the rowing machines for the first time is the biggest hurdle, says Erinn McMahan, UCLA's men's rowing coach. "You don't see that many machines in gyms. If you do, people don't know how to use them. They're more technique intensive than something like an elliptical trainer, which pretty much does the motion for you. And you have to learn how to do it correctly to get the health benefits."
The sport of rowing doesn't have the kind of high profile here that it does on the East Coast. Boston's Head of the Charles Regatta competition is a 40-year tradition that draws more than 300,000 people. Boathouses are part of the landscape in Boston, Philadelphia and other East Coast cities. Rowing is a time-consuming and expensive activity, as the average single scull costs about $5,000 and requires maintenance and a storage facility. "This is like owning a horse," says Muller.
