It was Heroes Row the Harlem, the first annual crew race between NYC’s finest: NYPD vs. FDNY. The event was hosted by the non-profit Row New York, which teaches underprivileged kids to row competitively, in partnership with the festival and one of my favorite fitness studios Row House.

After the race (P.S. my firemen smoked the cops!), we got in on the action, hopping aboard a training barge docked at Peter J. Sharp Boathouse, Row New York’s home base in the Harlem River, with a coach who taught us the ABCs of crew in just over an hour. It’s MUCH more complicated on the water than on an erg and a different experience, altogether.

When the yachts cruised by at high speeds, we were suddenly drenched in their wake and for me, there was no escape–I got the worst of it.

So, I was happy to be in Sperry H2O Escape sneakers. As our coach said, “It IS a water sport.” Ships ahoy!

Sneakers provided by Sperry; all thoughts/assessments are my own.

In between work and workouts, I sat down with The Wall Street Journal’s social media editor Rubina Madan Fillion to talk about how social media is changing the way that we all do business.  I was thrilled to be positioned alongside one of NYC’s most important social media influencers and an amazing Emory alum. I hope that you find our conversation on Emory’s site to be fun and informative in building the brand of YOU.  Because whether you’re in finance or fashion, fitness or philanthropy, social media is here to stay.  May as well make some new friends (and get some followers) now!

Row House is the newest leader, launched last week near Columbus Circle.  Owned by my new favorite power couple Eric Von Frohlich and Debra Strougo Frohlich, and combined with the popular EVF CrossFit located on the lower level, it packs a one-two punch.

The studio is spacious, with a mellow black/white/buttercup yellow color palette and an iconic “river” view.

Each station is equipped with an erg (indoor rower), a mat for planks and pushups plus Sandbells (like slam balls, but won’t roll away) and an Ab Wedge. Bring a big eco-friendly water bottle.

I took Debra’s Full Body class, 10-minute row segments interwoven with arms, abs and squats. Before settling in at our ergs, we gathered around her tablet to watch a video tutorial showing proper rowing form (straight back, shoulders down and pulled back, torso shifting between 11 o’clock at the movement’s start and 1 o’clock at the finish).

Debra also rowed along with us, on an erg in front, so everyone could emulate her and easily follow along.  The class was challenging but not overwhelming, the playlist was loud and fun. Afterward, I toweled off and stuck around to chat with Eric, Debra and friends who’d stopped by to check out the new hotspot.  Just like their decor, I found Row House’s staff and students to be warm and friendly.

Work in midtown?  Stop by on your way to/from the office.  Rowing at Row House is one revolution that you’ll want to be part of this spring.  Book your class here.