112. Helaine Knapp, CEO of CITYROW

Today I’m joined by Helaine Knapp, CEO of CITYROW.


 


In this episode, we discuss the company’s origin as a single
boutique fitness studio, the decision to launch a connected rower
and digital app, and Helaine’s plan to scale an omnichannel
experience. 


 


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More from Helaine 


 


After spending years climbing the corporate ladder, Helaine Knapp
left the world of


publishing for tech start-up life. Group fitness was her outlet
while working hard and


taking on the hustle and bustle of New York City. Months of spin
and boot camp


classes left her with a lower back injury, however, and she began
searching for a


workout that was low impact, but super effective. After a friend
suggested rowing,


Helaine initially rejected it as something “my dad did in
college,” but following a few


workouts on a sexy machine, pairing it with total body sculpting
moves off the


machine, changed her mind and the concept for CITYROW was born.


 


With a mission of delivering a smart, fun, effective workout to
all fitness levels, under


Knapp’s leadership, CITYROW has grown from one studio in New York
City to a


national omnichannel fitness brand a top-ranked on-demand global
program


featuring at-home rowers and a fast-growing digital subscription
business alongside


12 open studios and 65 franchises sold nationwide!


 


Knapp has yet to row on the water and has been featured as a
business leader and a


wellness expert on TODAY, Women’s Health, ABC, Harper’s Bazaar,
Shape, Well +


Good, Vogue, Yahoo! Finance, and PEOPLE, among many others.