How Rowing Gave Me a Second Chance at Running—Without the Pain

This blog is a guest post from Hydrow member Bob Manley.

My journey with rowing started completely by chance. One summer, I found myself at a rowing club on Lake Waukewan, stepping into a four-boat for the first time. By the end of that season, I was competing in the Head of the Charles Regatta. But when the club dissolved, rowing faded into the background, becoming nothing more than a distant memory for nearly two decades.

As much as I enjoyed my brief rowing experience, running has always been my main sport. I would run an average of 30 miles per week, competing in marathons and triathlons. But as I got into my 60s, my knees started screaming at me every time I went running. I knew I needed a lower-impact alternative that would give me the same exertion.

Because of this, I found my way back to rowing in 2023. I joined a rowing club on Squam Lake and got my first taste of sculling. From the moment I took control of my own boat, I was hooked. That summer, I bought a single scull and spent hours on Meredith Bay. But as winter approached, I faced a new challenge: how to keep rowing when the water was no longer an option. 

When the cold weather hit, I tried a water rower, hoping to maintain my progress. But it was the most god-awful, boring, and tortuous experience I’ve ever had in my life. It’s a hardcore, dedicated person who can just row to the numbers in front of them, and I just wasn’t there yet—massive respect for those who are! 

After using the water rower just three times, I knew it wasn’t going to work for me. I wanted a rowing machine that could give me the same energy, connection, and spark that rowing on the water gave me. 

That’s when I learned about Hydrow.

Hooked on Hydrow 

Since getting my Hydrow in December 2023, I’ve been obsessed. It all happened so quickly—I had only been on a rowing machine for short bursts here and there throughout my life, and all of a sudden, I was rowing constantly. My wife thought I was a little nuts: “You’re going back down to the basement again? Didn’t you just do that this morning?” 

Hydrow truly won me over and is doing amazing things for the sport and people’s health. I look forward to going to my basement and getting on my rowing machine. After about a year on the Hydrow, I just hit the 2 million-meter mark two weeks ago (and I’m storming toward 3 million meters now!). 

Hydrow didn’t just keep me rowing during the off-season—it’s made me a better athlete overall. I finally started incorporating stretching and strength training into my fitness routine, two elements I had neglected for years despite my doctor consistently telling me how important they were to pair with my running routine. 

But I wasn’t inspired until I found Peter Donohoe’s stretching and strength training workouts. I’ve known in the back of my head that I was missing something my entire athletic career, and I would have been a better athlete my whole life if I had figured this out in my 30s and not waited until now. But I’m glad I finally discovered it! 

How Hydrow made me a stronger and faster runner

Since getting my Hydrow, I’ve dropped my running workouts from three to four times a week to about once a week. I still love to run and didn’t want to give it up completely. But by doing it only once a week, I’m not beating myself up or destroying my knees.

But the incredible thing is that rowing so much has actually made me a better runner! Last fall, I ran the Runaway Pumpkin 10K after 15 years of only daring to do 5Ks, and I actually won my age group with a 7:26 mile for six miles at 60 years old. That’s a time I would have been proud of in my 30s! 

That success is absolutely, 100% attributed to the exercise routine Hydrow taught me to do by rowing three times a week, doing weight training, and stretching. I don’t need to run my brains out on the highway or be on the road beating my knees up to win a race. That’s a miracle for me. 

I also love biking but hadn’t ridden for a few years. And I was surprised to discover that even after so much time off a bike, I was able to hop on my mountain bike and ride for 30 miles (and even outpace my partner, who was on an electric mountain bike!). 

Related blog: Can Rowing Help With Running? Your Guide to Cross-Training

Rowing without judgment

I've really appreciated Hydrow’s welcoming and supportive community, especially as I navigate the sport as a newcomer. In contrast, my experience with my in-person rowing club has been more challenging, as I sometimes struggle to connect with those who have a deep, lifelong background in the sport. I want to learn and improve, but it can be tough to feel like I’m always saying the wrong thing or not speaking the same "language" as more experienced rowers. That’s why I’ve found Hydrow’s environment so refreshing—it fosters growth and encouragement without the pressure of already being an expert.

The opposite is true with Hydrow. Hydrow picks people up wherever they’re at. These workouts are effective for elite athletes like me—who are aggressive, pounding every single stroke, pushing hard, and wanting to win—while also friendly for people who just want something to squeeze in some exercise and get some motivation. Somebody can be going half the speed I’m going but are getting the same things out of the workout and enjoying it just as much. Hydrow meets everyone where they are and lets them be there. That’s a little bit of magic! 

I also have developed what feels like a relationship with the Hydrow Athletes because they share such great stories during their workouts and are open to Hydrow members on social media. I’ve also been able to use Facebook groups and live rows to connect with fellow rowers from around the world.

A new fitness chapter

Today, I’ve found my perfect balance. I still run once a week, but Hydrow has become my primary fitness routine. It keeps me strong, healthy, and engaged all year long. What started as a search for a low-impact workout turned into something so much more. Hydrow didn’t just replace running—it changed the way I think about fitness, competition, and longevity. And with millions of meters ahead of me, I know I’m just getting started!