Health Shack: Cycle & Row {SportyChic}

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I had the opportunity to sit down with the two awesome ladies and co-founders of NEW functional fitness studio called, Cycle & Row (located in West Bloomfield, Michigan). Below is the scoop on Cycle & Row. Who are the people behind the innovative fitness studio?

The owners are: husband and wife – Karen Kelman and Paul Chaben, Sam Kelman (Karen's daughter) and fiancé, Jeff Friedman. Cycle & Row is a true family affair. They are giving a new meaning to functional fitness. Read below!

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About the Business

{SS}: Can you tell us a bit about your job? When did you decide to open Cycle & Row? Do you both have a background in the fitness industry?

{Karen}: I have been in the fitness industry since I was in college. I taught aerobics in college, went on to be a personal trainer and always have had a passion for fitness. Sam and I have always wanted to go into business together, It's been our dream forever – to open up our own studio. It was really all about fine tuning our concept and finding the right time!

{Sam}: I attended the University of Michigan (undergrad) and received a business degree. After college, I lived in New York City where I worked for Amex, as well as a global water treatment company. Through those positions I have been able to travel the world. We have been working on the business for over 2 years. While I was living in NYC and experiencing first hand the fitness craze, I literally tried everything and all types of studios. It was our "research and development" phase (I even taught spinning classes on the lower east side at Ludlow Fitness). We took bits and pieces from what we liked at all of the best studios and formed our own concept! We decided to base Cycle & Row in Michigan because my mom (Karen) is here with her client base.Michigan is the perfect location – we love the community here, supportive and uniquely strong community. The perfect place for a specialized fitness experience! It's wild to think, we started planning out the business about 2 years ago and NOW we are officially open for business!

{Karen & Sam}: Actually, this is not our first venture together. We launched a non profit for breast cancer awareness and research back in 2005 {SaveourWomenShirts.com}. Now we are lucky to have our husband (and almost husband) as awesome partners. Jeff Friedman (Sam's fiancé) is full time on operations and he has a finance background, investment banker and MBA from Yale. Paul Chaben (Karen's husband) is in finance as well.

{SS}: What makes Cycle & Row a unique fitness experience? Share with me some key pointers about this type of workout:

{Sam}: It's fun! Seriously, it's considered "functional fitness" and the classes are hard work but a ton of fun. The classes are designed for ALL experience levels. The workouts are considered "high intensity & low impact" Rowing works over 80% of muscles in your body! It's a great workout for your entire body. C&R offers extensive personal attention during each class. With our state-of-the-art performance tracking consoles, you can keep track of your personal stats during class and set improvement goals. We have integrated with technology

for example when cycling – you can set specific goals and with the monitors attached to the bikes after class you'll be sent your stats for the day! It's awesome because you can track your progress.

{Karen}: – honestly, I've been in the fitness industry for a long freakin time over 30 years and this is fun! We are so passionate about what we do.There is something to be said about personalized service. What makes someone great – is because they care. We only take up to 20 people per class. We have awesome, experienced and passionate instructors. They are truly "all-star" instructors. Also, what makes me so happy is we see personal relationships evolving from the classes. We are building a community.

{Karen & Sam}: Although you are on a individual track, its all team oriented. We are also offering special "team" classes for companies, schools or even groups of friends that want to schedule a group class. Also, we should mention our snack bar items are locally made (Go Forever Bar) and more!

{SS}: Cool logo, what is the significance?

{Karen + Sam}: The logo is a Ying Yang – balancing each other (the front and back - aerobics – heart rate and anerobics – start and stop) which completely represents Cycle & Row.

{SS}: What do you enjoy most about working with your family?

{Karen}: – I get my daughter back home. 😉

{Sam}: With my free time I do active things, I was always missing something – always wanted to call my mom. And now its pretty amazing that I can do what I love with the people I love!

{Karen}: We all compliment each other – core strengths as a team. There are no other people in the world I can trust, business is based on trust – with your family its easy.

{Sam}: And honestly, if we do cross boundaries – makes it easier that we are family! unnamed-7

{SS}: YOUR secret to work / life balanced?

{Karen & Sam}: It's all blended. We love fitness so fortunately its a part of our every day life. We appreciate and enjoy wine and traveling, when we can!

Our secret? We find time to be outdoors and of course, make time for sanity, and having time for friends is important.

{Karen}: I'm not a tech person but I use a tabatta app (its a form of work out) and my new favorite app is wayz – google traffic tracking app!

{Sam}: My Calendar app and Spotify music app!Now onto your personal style…

{SS}: Favorite type of activewear?

{Karen & Sam}: Lulu Lemon and Athleta

{SS}: In regards to your personal style, do you have a signature accessory?

{Karen}: I'm always wearing Lulu Lemon and either Garmin running shoes or my boots.

{Sam}: Sneakers, always. In my head I made it cool to wear gym shoes and jeans.

{SS}: A few items in your "Styleshack" A.K.A closet that you can't live without?

{Sam}: MY engagement ring, never take it off. And my favorite Holderness & Bourne gym bag (my friend is the designer) I feel like its cool and functional.