Ever stared up a steep hill on your bike, legs burning, wishing you had more climbing power without endless saddle time? You’re not alone—and the rowing machine, often ignored at the gym, could be your secret weapon.

Used correctly, it hits all muscles you need for climbing: quads, hamstrings, glutes, core, and upper-body pull muscles. It’s low-impact too, so you get cardio benefits without joint wear. Even pro cyclists like Kristen Faulkner started as rowers!

New to rowing? Start slow with mid-resistance, 10-minute sessions first.

Have you tried rowing for cycling climbs, or got another cross-training hack? Share below!