Court House Squash and Wellness has completed a $1 million-plus renovation that includes the unveiling of Bermuda’s first indoor interactive rowing studio with Technogym Skillrow machines and technology that are used and designed by Olympic athletes.

The health and wellness company said it has significantly increased the size of its Victoria Street location by repurposing the premises once occupied by Rumbar.

Upgrades include an extensive selection of new equipment by Technogym, a new cardio centre and the indoor rowing studio, which Court House says is built to a high athletic performance standard.

The upgrade to Court House Central, the company said, is part of the “beyond the gym” vision of founder Richard Burns.

In 2016, Mr Burns built a second fitness club location, Court House West, in the basement and first level of the Belvedere Residence building on Pitts Bay Road, with a focus on group cycle, also known as spinning. By investing in Bermuda’s fitness industry, Mr Burns believes that his club can play a part in supporting a healthier and more active population.

He said: “I believe it is essential to our continued success that we reinvest a high percentage of our profits each year back into the business. This year we have spent over $1 million upgrading the equipment, technology and the physical plant.”

Mr Burns says that investing in his team is equally important. “I am proud of our more than 25 dedicated professional staff here, both full and part-time,” he said.

“We offer financial assistance annually to further their education in this industry and give them the time off to accomplish that task.”

The surge in popularity for indoor rowing classes in Europe and North America has come from innovative upgrades to indoor rowing machines and connected technology, the company said.

Using the Skillrow machines at Court House, for example, is claimed to resemble the feeling of rowing in water and allows class participants to row in real race conditions that are projected at the front of the class, the company said.

Rowing falls under the category of “low impact training” because it is easier on bones and joints and does not include weights, running or jumping. Participants can expect to use 85 per cent of their muscles in a rowing workout and burn approximately 300 calories in 30 minutes.

Brandon Willett, group instructor, discussed the benefits to expect from Court House’s indoor rowing classes.

“They are designed to challenge and improve our cardiovascular health as well as to increase the overall power output of the body,” he said.

“Instructors will use many tactics to build heart rate and strength, including individual and team races, all of which will be backlit by fun and upbeat playlists.”

• For more information about indoor rowing at Court House, visit www.courthouse.bm