A Morning of Movement, Motivation, and Community

A perfect Sydney morning. An iconic location. And a new era of indoor rowing kicked off in style.

On Sunday 13 April, Row Nation and UTS Rowing Club opened their doors to the public for the official launch of Row Club — a high-energy, athlete-led fitness experience inspired by elite rowing and designed for everyone. Against the stunning backdrop of Iron Cove, the water was calm, the sun was out, and the deck was packed with rowers, CrossFitters, HYROX athletes, and newcomers alike, all eager to give indoor rowing a proper go.

“It was fantastic. A great way to spend our Sunday morning... I think I’ll be adding this to my basketball training,” one participant shared.

Athletes Leading the Way

The sessions were led by Olympian Paddy Holt, who competed in the Men’s Pair at the Paris 2024 Olympics, and Paige Barr, who stroked the Australian Women’s Eight at the same Games. Their coaching brought both technical depth and an approachable energy, giving participants feedback and confidence from start to finish.

From the warm-up to the final calorie sprint, their guidance helped set the tone for each session.

A Focused and Practical Training Format

Each session followed a structured, results-oriented format:

• Warm-up and skill development to reinforce technique
• Six rounds of two-minute intervals with one-minute rest, building stroke rate from 18 to 26
• A 50-calorie finisher to close the session with intensity

The focus was on efficiency — encouraging participants to increase wattage output with each increase in stroke rate, maximising performance without sacrificing form.

A Community-Driven Event

The crowd was made up of a wide range of fitness backgrounds — from seasoned rowers to first-timers, functional fitness athletes, and those looking to change up their routine.

“You don’t have to be a member of UTS,” said one attendee. “We’re already at a different gym, but we’ll definitely be back for these classes.”

Another added, “This really changed how I thought rowing could be — it was fun, challenging, and full-body. Loved it.”

What’s Next?

Row Club is now running weekly at UTS Rowing Club. Sessions are held on Tuesdays at 7:00 PM, with more to come as demand grows. Sessions are open to the public — no UTS membership required.

Pricing

• Single Class – $20
• 5-Class Pack – $90 ($18/class)
• 10-Class Pack – $170 ($17/class)
• 20-Class Pack – $320 ($16/class)

All packs are flexible with no expiry.

Ready to Row?

Book your spot and experience it for yourself:
🔗 www.rownation.co/row-club/uts

Or preview the session used on Open Day:
🔗 UTS Haberfield Intro to Indoor Rowing – Workout Link‍