Stuck in the same boring workout routine? Tired of seeing the same faces day after day in your local gym? Try something new that could change the way you approach fitness for the rest of your life.

National Learn to Row Day is the perfect opportunity for someone to learn about the sport of rowing in a relaxed and fun environment without the commitment of joining a club or purchasing equipment. Rowing clubs all over the country will open their doors to the public on June 9, 2007, in order to provide basic instruction and information about the sport. This annual event is designed for adults of all ages and fitness abilities. And the best part--no previous rowing experience necessary.

Why row? Rowing is commonly referred to as the ultimate total body workout, exercising several major muscle groups with low impact, rhythmic movements. It is a great workout for your legs, which are the main source of power in a rowing stroke, as well as your arms, back, and abdominals.

Dr. Fritz Hagerman, Professor of Biomedical Science at Ohio University in Athens, Ohio has dedicated more than three decades to studying world class rowers. “As far as energy expenditure goes, you burn more calories in rowing than any other activity,” he said.

If you’ve ever been on an indoor rowing machine, or ergometer, you know it doesn’t take long to increase your heart rate. Hagerman states that rowing will burn calories at a rate 10 to 12 percent higher than running and 15 to 20 percent higher than cycling. “In biking and running, it’s lower body only, but in rowing, you use upper and lower,” he said.

Rowing is truly a lifelong sport. People of all ages can benefit from the cardiovascular and core strength development that it provides. When Martha Moore of Rocky Hill, N.J., turned 50 last year, she and a friend took interest in the ergometers at her local gym.

“Being in that cramped little room on those machines got me wondering what it would be like to get out on the water,” said Moore. Not wanting to follow in the footsteps of her mother and father, who both had triple bypass surgery, Moore decided to pursue the sport further. She is planning to attend a Learn to Row Day event this weekend on Carnegie Lake in Princeton, N.J.

“When you’re looking at an 88-year-old man or woman and they are still rowing competitively, it is totally inspiring,” said Moore.  “It’s just wonderful to think that this is something I could do forever.”

Every program’s Learn to Row Day is structured differently. A typical event starts with a session on land for verbal instruction on safety and technique, followed by a basic skills demonstration on an indoor rowing machine.  Participants will usually be mixed with a few experienced rowers for on-the-water coaching in an eight-person shell. The larger boats make for a stable environment to allow beginners to gain a full experience moving an oar through the water.

New rowers will be surprised to find that it doesn’t take long to feel comfortable in the boat, although improvement in skill and coordination will take time and effort to develop. The challenges of the sport are what make it satisfying, so stick with it! The results will be worthwhile. You will get to see your health improve while spending active time in the beautiful outdoors.

To find out if a club in your area is hosting a Learn to Row Day event, visit the Events section on the USRowing Web site.