13 WTHRHealth benefits of rowing

Health benefits of rowing

Dave Patania/Eyewitness News

To get in shape this summer while enjoying the beautiful weather, rowing may be the sport for you. Fitness Contributor Dave Patania paid a visit to Eagle Creek with a look at a rowing class that is growing in popularity.

Indianapolis Rowing Center Executive Director Bernadette Teeley said the entire body benefits from the sport of rowing. Because the seat moves back and forth, the rower gets a work out with both the legs and the arms.

"It's a whole body exercise," she said. "And it's an incredible cardio exercise."

Teeley said the constant motion gets the heart rate up, and that rate is maintained throughout the entire workout, which could last up to 40 minutes. It takes about 10 minutes to row the length of the 2000 meter course at a practice pace.

Teeley said as far as age range for rowers, there really is no cutoff. "It's more about actual size, they have to be big enough to fit in the equipment," she said. In general, she said the participants are in high school or older, with the oldest participant in their 80s.

Accessible at the Indianapolis Rowing Center, Teeley said people can come out and use the equipment or take classes.