Row, row, row your bloat

It’s 2020, and rowing is back in style. Yes, that lonely rowing machine at the gym is seeing more action, according to a story in Prevention Magazine that lists rowing as one of the top fitness trends of the year.

And it makes sense. Rowing is low impact and works an eye-popping 86 percent of the muscles in the body, according to the article. It’s also perfect for people who sit at desks all day (or those who just sit; you know who you are).

We can all benefit from un-hunching our shoulders, and rowing helps with that. The combination movements – pulling with the upper body and pushing with the legs – helps with posture. It engages the core, glutes, and back.

Other fitness trends this year include more kickboxing and meditation, HILIT (High Intensity, Low Impact Training), more cardio rhythm classes, more strength training than cardio, live workout experiences from home (think streaming services), and more wearable tech. That last one goes beyond watches into the realm of vibrating leggings – which, hold your galloping thoughts for a moment, are pants that include sensors to provide feedback on form.