It’s Never Too Late: How Hydrow Members Are Falling in Love with Rowing Later in Life

It’s a familiar story: For years, fitness feels like a chore, a box to check, or worse, something to avoid altogether. And, the longer it stays on the back burner, the more daunting it can seem to start, both physically and mentally. 

However, many Hydrow members are proving that it’s never too late to invest in your health and fitness. In fact, some of the most powerful transformations can happen later in life when the right mix of experience, intention, resilience, and motivation come together. 

For Felice, Kathy, and Harriet, this motivation came from discovering a love of rowing with Hydrow. Here’s how a newfound love of rowing helped these three members finally find their fitness stride. 

Weight loss without the pressure of perfection

For many Hydrow members, rowing has become a powerful tool for sustainable, no-gimmick weight loss—one that emphasizes self-care over self-criticism.

Take Harriet Laurin, for example. Over the past two years, she’s lost 70 pounds with the help of her Hydrow rowing machine, leading to improvements in her overall health (and the need to invest in smaller clothes from Costco!). 

“At 62 (soon to be 63!), I’m focused on maintaining my health for the long term,” Harriet said. “When I started on this health journey, I was just on the border of class III obesity (aka “morbidly obese”). Now, having lost nearly 37% of my starting weight, I am just three pounds away from being a ‘normal’ weight.” 

Kathy Link echoed this sentiment, sharing that after years of being caught in the cycle of dieting, rowing was what finally helped her redefine success at age 47. 

“Today, I’ve found balance,” she said. “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.” 

These stories show that when you trade perfection for progress and self-kindness, real and lasting change becomes not only possible, but also empowering. 

Managing chronic conditions through movement

Movement can be medicine, especially for those managing pain or chronic illness. For Harriet, rowing wasn’t just about losing weight—it was about reclaiming control over her health after being diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. 

“Since getting my Hydrow, my health has dramatically improved,” Harriet said. “My inflammation levels have dropped significantly. My CRP and sed rate, which were once abnormally high due to my psoriatic arthritis, are now in the normal range. This is a huge win for me, as it means I’m preventing further joint damage. I’m also off my blood pressure medication, with my doctor’s approval. I no longer have to use a cane to get around during psoriatic arthritis flare-ups, and I can navigate stairs without needing to pull myself up by the handrail.” 

Meanwhile, Felice Kapfhamer, who began rowing in her 60s, was determined to find an exercise that would enhance her overall health after struggling with lower-back pain for years due to arthritis and disk issues. 

“My Hydrow rowing machine has helped me avoid becoming a couch potato and giving in to my aches and pains,” she said. “I’ve been able to be consistently motivated, striving to exercise at least five days a week for the past two years.” 

Finding the motivation to build a fitness routine that sticks

Finding a fitness routine that’s easy to stick with is half the battle—and for many Hydrow members, rowing finally made consistency feel natural. For Harriet, staying motivated comes down to tracking her progress. 

“The data and metrics from Hydrow are my secret weapon for staying accountable,” she said. “It took me 18 months to hit my first million meters, and now I’m pushing myself to reach my second million in just 12 months. Every row brings me closer to that goal, and the steady, measurable  progress keeps me fired up.” 

Others find their drive in the people behind the screen. Kathy, for example, draws motivation from the Athletes leading Hydrow’s workouts, with a sense of connection—and genuine encouragement from the team—helping her to keep coming back. 

“Hydrow’s Athletes have also been a source of inspiration,” she said. “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.” 

Then there’s Felice, who has found motivation in the simplicity and flexibility of the workouts themselves.  

“Being able to complete a workout in just 15 to 30 minutes and still feel accomplished has been a game-changer,” she said. “I also appreciate the flexibility of working out when I have the time and choosing workouts that align with my energy levels and time constraints.” 

Whether it’s the satisfaction of watching the meters climb, the inspiration of a supportive community, or the freedom to fit a workout into a busy day, Hydrow members are proving that when you find the right routine, motivation follows.

The takeaway: Your best fitness years might still be ahead! 

Whether your goal is to lose weight, manage a health condition, or simply feel stronger and more confident in your body, Hydrow shows that the most powerful changes can come later in life. These stories remind us that fitness doesn’t have to be punishing, rigid, or reserved for the young—it can be joyful, flexible, and deeply fulfilling.

Ready to start your next chapter? Hydrow is here to row with you, every step of the way. Our state-of-the-art rowing machines are the perfect addition to any home gym, giving you an immersive and total-body workout in just 20 minutes a day. 

Hydrow’s extensive library of workout content is led by our team of world-class and Olympic Athletes and filmed in stunning locations around the world. Whether you’re looking to do a rowing workout or cross-train with yoga, Pilates, circuit training, and mobility training, you’ll be transported to gorgeous global destinations that keep you motivated to come back again and again. 

Learn more about the benefits of a Hydrow rowing machine today!