Rowing is an exercise that combines mental focus and physical effort to build endurance, strength and mindfulness. The benefits of rowing are equal parts physical and mental. This is especially true of indoor rowing where you have a monitor that gives you stroke by stroke feedback, on your technique, your timing and your effort. This is not the case when rowing on the water. The indoor rower or ergometer measures the work that goes into your workout and enables you to easily keep track of your progress over time. This helps to keep you honest and accountable to yourself and it is one of the reasons why “the erg” is such a great tool for improving your physical fitness and your mental health.

When exercising many people look for ways to distract themselves to pass the time. They watch TV on the treadmill or stationary bike and listen to podcasts while jogging, anything to distract the mind from what the body is doing. This is the opposite of mindfulness. When you learn to focus intently on what you are doing you don’t even notice the time passing. The more attention you can bring to your exercise practice, whatever that is, the more physical and mental benefits you will reap. Mindful exercise is not exclusive to the practice of yoga and Pilates. Rowing is an intentional practice that pairs deep breathing with a dynamic whole body movement that requires focus from both the mind and body.

For example, in a rowing class you have to multitask by focusing on maintaining your technique and posture and on keeping the same timing as the instructor and your classmates, as well as controlling your breathing with the rhythm of the exercise. Not to mention your physical output. The concentration required to maintain an exact stroke rate or hold a consistent split keeps your mind engaged in the movement and in the moment. Despite its growing popularity as a fitness activity, there are many misconceptions about indoor rowing and the ways in which it helps the body and mind.