7 Shocking Benefits Of The Row & Ride Hanover MA Combo Class And The Ex-TV Anchor Who Started It
The fitness landscape is constantly evolving, and as of late 2025, one boutique studio on the South Shore of Massachusetts continues to set the pace for high-impact, low-stress workouts: Row & Ride in Hanover, MA. This unique fitness hub, located at 200 Webster Street, was established on the revolutionary concept of seamlessly blending two of the most effective cardiovascular and strength-building exercises into a single, killer session: indoor rowing and cycling. The studio has solidified its reputation as New England's first dedicated indoor rowing and cycling studio, offering a full-body experience that burns maximum calories while being gentle on the joints.
The success of Row & Ride isn't just in its innovative class structure; it's also deeply rooted in the vision of its founder, a well-known local personality who leveraged her high-energy media career to create a vibrant, community-focused fitness environment. The studio continues to attract a dedicated clientele seeking a challenging, music-driven workout that delivers comprehensive fitness results.
The Visionary Behind the Erg: Kerry Connolly's Complete Biography
Row & Ride is the brainchild of Kerry Connolly, a dynamic entrepreneur whose professional journey took a fascinating turn from the bright lights of television news to the high-energy atmosphere of a boutique fitness studio. Her background is a testament to her high-energy drive and commitment to excellence.
- Name: Kerry Connolly
- Location: Hanover, Massachusetts, USA (Row & Ride Studio)
- Professional Background (Pre-Fitness):
- News Anchor/Reporter: Served as an on-air personality and news anchor at WBZ-TV in Boston, a major CBS affiliate.
- Sports Media: Worked on-air for the New England Patriots, a role that kept her connected to high-performance athletics.
- Host: Was a host for "Golf Destination," demonstrating her versatility in lifestyle and sports reporting.
- Transition to Fitness: Left her career in news anchoring to pursue her passion for fitness and entrepreneurship.
- Founding of Row & Ride: Opened Row & Ride in Hanover, MA, in 2014, establishing it as New England's first indoor rowing and cycling studio.
- Concept Inspiration: Connolly recognized that both rowing and cycling are low-impact, high-energy exercises and saw the "no brainer" opportunity to pair them into one incredible, full-body workout.
Connolly’s transition from a prominent media figure to a fitness studio owner brought a unique blend of professionalism and high-energy presentation to the studio, which is characterized by "killer music," sound, and visuals designed to motivate and inspire every participant.
The Signature R&R Workout: Class Formats and Pricing
The core offering at Row & Ride is its signature combination class, a meticulously designed session that maximizes calorie burn and muscle engagement in just one hour. The studio's commitment to delivering a comprehensive workout is evident in its diverse class schedule and its welcoming introductory offer.
The R&R Signature Class Breakdown
The flagship "Row & Ride" class is a 60-minute session split into two distinct, high-intensity segments:
- First Half (30 Minutes): The Row
Participants grab their erg (rowing machine) for a full-body, strength-focused workout. Rowing engages approximately 86% of the body's musculature, hitting major groups like the legs, core, back, and arms. This segment often incorporates added weights for muscle toning and increased resistance training.
- Second Half (30 Minutes): The Ride
The focus shifts to the bike for a high-energy, rhythm-based cycling session. Riders power through simulated hills, sprints, and flat roads, all set to motivating music. This half is a pure cardiovascular blast, designed to elevate the heart rate and maximize endurance.
This alternating structure ensures that no single muscle group is over-fatigued, allowing for sustained high-intensity throughout the entire hour while providing a balanced cross-training benefit.
Diverse Class Offerings
While the combo class is the star, Row & Ride also offers specialized classes to cater to different fitness goals and times:
- LEARN TO ROW & RIDE 101: An essential introductory class for newcomers, focusing on proper form and technique for both the rowing machine and the bike, ensuring a safe and effective workout foundation.
- Themed Rides: The studio frequently features high-energy, themed specialty classes, such as the "$10 FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS RIDE" or seasonal events like the "TURKEY LEGS RIDE," which add a fun, community-focused element to the schedule.
The Exclusive Introductory Offer
For those curious about this unique fitness concept, Row & Ride offers an extremely appealing trial. New clients can experience the full range of classes with a special deal: Unlimited classes for a whole week for only $25. This allows prospective members to fully test the studio's atmosphere, instructors, and various class formats before committing to a membership.
The Science of Combination: Why Rowing and Cycling is the Ultimate Cross-Training
The Row & Ride concept is not a gimmick; it is grounded in advanced sports science, making it a highly effective and complementary fitness routine. The combination of indoor rowing and cycling addresses the limitations of each exercise while amplifying their individual benefits.
The combination is a form of high-intensity interval training (HIIT), which has been shown to be exceptionally efficient in improving key health markers.
1. Full-Body Muscle Engagement
Cycling is primarily a lower-body workout, focusing on the quads, hamstrings, and glutes. Rowing, conversely, is a true full-body exercise, engaging the legs (60%), core (20%), and upper body (20%). Combining them ensures that all 12 major muscle groups are worked equally, preventing muscle imbalances and promoting balanced strength development.
2. Enhanced Cardiovascular Fitness (VO2 Max)
Both exercises are phenomenal for the heart and lungs, but their combination creates a powerful synergistic effect. Research has shown that high-intensity interval training that combines rowing and cycling can efficiently improve cardiovascular fitness, including a significant increase in VO2max (the maximum rate of oxygen consumption).
3. Low-Impact, High-Energy
A significant advantage of both indoor rowing and cycling is their low-impact nature. Unlike running or other plyometric exercises, they place minimal stress on the joints, making the R&R class suitable for a wide range of ages and fitness levels, including those managing old injuries.
4. Maximum Calorie Burn
The alternating high-intensity nature of the combo class keeps the body guessing and the metabolism elevated. The constant switching between muscle groups prevents premature burnout, allowing participants to sustain a higher overall intensity, leading to a significant calorie burn during and after the workout (the EPOC effect).
5. Superior Cross-Training
For athletes who focus on one sport (like cyclists, runners, or swimmers), the R&R class provides ideal cross-training. Rowing offers the resistance and upper-body work often neglected in pure cycling, while cycling provides the high-speed cardio burst that complements the strength-endurance of rowing.
6. Mental Health and Stress Reduction
Like all high-intensity workouts, the Row & Ride class boosts endorphins, leading to stress reduction and improved mood. The studio's dark room, loud music, and motivational instruction create an immersive environment that allows participants to disconnect from daily stress and focus entirely on the movement.
7. Time Efficiency
In a single 60-minute session, members achieve a complete, full-body strength and cardio workout that would typically require separate sessions at a traditional gym. This time-efficient model is perfect for busy South Shore residents.
Row & Ride in Hanover, MA, is more than just a gym; it’s a boutique fitness experience that delivers a scientifically-backed, high-energy, and community-driven workout. Led by the inspiring Kerry Connolly, the studio has cemented its place as a leader in the South Shore fitness scene, offering a unique and highly effective solution for anyone looking to maximize their fitness results through the power of combined indoor rowing and cycling.
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