Today we’d like to introduce you to Brian and Robyn Goldstein.
Both Robyn and Brian have always been fitness enthusiasts but never participated in trendy concepts. Prior to having kids nearly nine years ago, Robyn was an avid runner with a local running club and Brian loved adventure racing. For the next seven years, managing kids and careers, an attorney and businessman, respectively, had become the priority, and health and wellness took a backseat to their busy lives.
In 2018, upon a friendly weight loss challenge, Robyn renewed her focus on fitness and lost 30 pounds of “baby” weight in 4 months. She attributed this to healthy eating and finding a non-intimidating small group training environment. It was at this time that Robyn and Brian were also evaluating investment opportunities to diversify their interests. While beauty and food were frequently suggested ideas, the couple naturally gravitated toward fitness and wellness to build upon a growing theme of living a healthy lifestyle, despite the craziness of work and kids.
Through years of various fitness routines, they observed key themes missing that were addressed at Row House – namely that people can be comfortable in their own skin. When evaluating the business, while Robyn was in the best shape of her life – she was incredibly intimidated by the thought of rowing for 45 minutes straight, however about 10 minutes into the 45-minute evaluation class, Robyn looked at Brian and immediately decided Houston needed this concept. It was a high energy, low impact, inclusive and fun workout; not to mention all fitness levels could be in the same class, working together and achieving their own personal goals. Additionally, it was an exciting time for Row House, as it was emerging onto the market with only 3 open studios – so they could be on the ground level of helping to develop this amazing brand.
Once they decided to bring the concept to Houston, they evaluated many sites for their first location, but for Robyn having grown up in Bellaire and recognizing a need for this group fitness concept in the area, Bellaire just made sense.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Like any new business, there’s a learning curve. For Row House, it comes down to educating consumers and recruiting the right coaches.
For consumers, indoor group rowing is a relatively new concept. The hardest part is simply getting prospective members into their first class. Articulating how Row House programming is designed to create an inclusive team atmosphere and why it’s such a highly effective workout is best done through the class experience. Once you experience the workout and feel the energy created by your crew, its’s apparent what makes Row House special.
When it comes to talent development, we’re not looking for coaches who are just fit and sexy. We seek charisma, compassion and motivation. Each must be able to connect with and inspire a diverse member base vastly ranging in age and physical capability.
Prior to opening our doors it was hard for consumers and coaches to visualize what Row House would offer. Today we have a thriving community and an amazing team who are constantly working on honing their craft.
Please tell us about Row House Bellaire.
We offer a unique indoor rowing experience that stays true to the sport of crew. We row in sync using various stroke rates throughout each class. This creates a positive energy and comradery while burning calories through a highly effective full-body workout.
Although we row in sync, the beauty of rowing is that each individual determines their own intensity.
Row House takes the stigma out of rowing and proves that people of all ages, sizes, and physical limitations can learn to row and achieve a level of accomplishment that is both physically beneficial and personally rewarding.
With the lights down low and the music up, you’ll be swept away into an immersive experience where everyone rows in-sync, and the world outside will cease to exist. It’ll just be you, your crew, your goals and at the end, your accomplishments. We further alleviate the intimidation factor by aggregating individual data into team metrics shown at the front of the studio, allowing coaches to motivate and drive results through a collective effort. After each class, you receive your personal data to see how effective you were during that class. When members hit milestones, like rowing 50,000 meters during their first month we celebrate them with photos and Row House gear! Our job is to motivate and celebrate our crew.
Every class also incorporates a variety of low impact floor exercises and stretching. The effective, full-body, low impact workout in an inclusive, team-oriented environment is what sets Row House apart from other boutique fitness studios.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Nothing. It takes hard work, patience and surrounding yourself with great people.
Contact Info:
- Address: 6702-A Ferris St,
Bellaire, TX 77401 - Website: https://www.therowhouse.com/location/bellaire
- Phone: 281-971-3242
- Email: bellaire@therowhouse.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rowhousebellaire/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rowhousebellaire
Image Credit:
photo of Robyn and Brian Goldstein, by Traci Ling
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