Ditching Diet Culture: How Rowing Helped Me Focus on Strength Over Size

This blog is a guest post from Hydrow member Kathy Link. 

For most of my life, I have fluctuated between being overweight and obese. My relationship with fitness was inconsistent, at best, and nonexistent at worst, but in 2017, something changed. That summer, I traveled to Minnesota to help my mom recover from knee surgery. Witnessing the physical, emotional, and psychological toll of a sedentary lifestyle on both of my parents was a true wake-up call. 

At the time, I also worked as a hospice social worker and was well aware that the toll was somewhat of a cultural epidemic—which may be the understatement of the last two centuries. I was experiencing it myself with my own stress and increasing aches and pains!

At 47 years old, I decided I wanted to live differently and age differently.

A stroke of luck

Since 2017, I’ve explored different forms of exercise, such as walking, running, spinning, and water aerobics. Early on I tried biking, but my balance at the time said ‘Nope’. By 2023, I had built up enough motivation to try something new.I had spent an entire summer swimming in my HOA pool and discovered how much I enjoyed full-body workouts. When the season ended, I wanted an activity that would continue to challenge me beyond walking and jogging. 

One day, I thought, “We have a workout room with all sorts of machines—why not try rowing?” I had heard it was an incredible full-body workout, so I grabbed my access card and headed to the gym. But there was no rowing machine. I guess I should have researched that first! 

Determined, I began researching rowers, but I wasn’t ready to invest heavily in a machine I wasn’t sure I’d stick with. That’s when I stumbled upon a contest on RowingCrazy to win a Hydrow rower. I had never heard of Hydrow before, and after only a couple hours of research, I entered the contest without much thought. Meanwhile, my husband and I purchased a basic, no-frills used rower for $150 that basically just went back and forth. 

A few months later, an email landed in my inbox: “Congratulations, you’ve won a Hydrow rower!” At first, I thought it was a scam. I barely remembered entering. After a quick call to Hydrow’s customer service (who, by the way, were incredibly nice and helpful!), I realized it was real. By December, my brand-new Hydrow arrived, and I embarked on an entirely new fitness experience.

Sticking with it!

Two years later, I’m proud to say I’m still consistently rowing at least once a week, and usually much more. For years, I was caught up in diet culture: losing weight, gaining it back, and repeating the cycle. Today, I’ve found balance. I no longer feel the need for extreme dieting. I eat without guilt or restriction. Thanks to Hydrow, I’m no longer focused on my weight—I’m focused on my strength and power. 

Rowing has also improved my posture and my confidence. At the age of 55, I’ve finally learned to stand up straight, lift my head, and be proud. It may seem like a small thing, but for me, it’s huge.

Hydrow has given me more than just a workout—it’s given me a connection to my body. These days I work as a mental health therapist, and I focus on overall health and wellness and holistic well-being. Movement is crucial not just for physical health but for mental and emotional health, too (as is social support). I always feel better after I row, and that feeling lasts all day. I’ve come to appreciate the power of integrating fitness into mental health care. Talk therapy is great, but talk therapy combined with movement, mindful eating, and social support? Can’t beat it! 

My motivation ebbs and flows, and I’m not sure I’ll ever call myself an “expert rower.” Just the other day, I was doing circuit training, and even after two years, I still can’t even do one full push-up. But I keep going!

The Hydrow difference

I love mixing up my workouts. Sometimes, I follow Hydrow’s recommendations. Other times, I gravitate toward my favorite instructors. Aquil’s tagline, “Namaste and karate chops!” always makes me laugh—I respond with, “Namaste and afternoon nap!” (I don’t think he can hear me, though! I hope he can’t, anyway!)

Hydrow’s Athletes have also been a source of inspiration. They’re not just fitness models; they’re real, authentic people who make rowing and other forms of exercise accessible. Their energy and encouragement make workouts more engaging, and I love the variety of workouts available.

The community aspect has been another unexpected joy. My husband, who’s in his late 60s, started rowing too and has kept up with it remarkably well. Even my neighbor, who was looking for a way to start her fitness journey, was inspired to get a Hydrow, and we’re actually each other’s accountability partners. It’s great to have in-person support along with the virtual community.

For those wondering whether Hydrow is worth the cost, I say “Absolutely.” Some people in the Hydrow Facebook group have broken down the cost per use, and it’s shockingly affordable if you stick with it. Hydrow is truly for everyone. You don’t have to be an athlete and that’s what makes it so accessible.

This journey has been full of surprises—winning a rower, finding a passion for fitness, and even inspiring those around me. It has all felt like a perfect mix of synchronicity and serendipity.

Thank you, Hydrow! I may not be able to do a push-up (yet!), but with 2 million meters rowed and counting, I’m doing alright.