Pull, Together!

Traci Ling
3Z2A4370
3Z2A4370

Boutique fitness continues to dominate the workout world, and a niche long popular around the country has finally found its way to the Third Coast: Rowing is making waves in H-Town!


In Bellaire, husband-wife franchisers Brian and Robyn Goldstein have opened national concept Row House’s first Texas studio. Combining their corporate backgrounds — him in oil and gas, her in law and advertising — with a passion for fitness, the Houston-based Goldsteins will open four more Row Houses inside the Beltway in the coming months. 

Rowing is touted not only as a great low-impact workout, but also as excellent for recovery and resistance training. “Some people hate it because it’s ‘too hard’ or ‘too easy,’ but they aren’t driving to get the resistance you’re supposed to get,” says Brian, noting many are probably familiar with the exercise thanks to CrossFit and OrangeTheory. “Others say ‘I love it, and it kicks my butt in a great way.’”

The Goldsteins aren’t the only ones hoping Houstonians catch on to the low-lit, music-fueled workout. Crew Fitness, also operated by a husband-wife team, has bowed in a cute Heights bungalow. 

Wellness+Giving Back

How did you get to where you are today? The present moment is a combined history of my family, my time as an athlete, my passion for learning, and my desire to see the world be better. I grew up as a successful springboard and platform diver, however, an injury caused me to seek alternative treatments to heal my body. In that process, I discovered the power of yoga, exercise, meditation, mindset, and nutrition. This holistic approach eventually led me to open a Pilates and cycling studio called DEFINE body & mind. I opened studios around the nation, and after selling most of my business between 2017-2019, I was ready to explore how I could make an even greater impact on the wellbeing of our community. In 2023, I started actively working on a brand new multi-family/apartment concept called, Define Living. The idea focused on offering health and wellness services within a beautiful apartment setting to increase the wellbeing of our residents. Having a strong sense of community is the number one factor in living a happy life, so why not build a community where daily fitness, cooking classes, and social connection are the norm? We opened Define Living in March of 2024, and we couldn’t be happier with how things are being received. We are already looking at building more concepts like this in the Houston area and beyond.

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How did you get to where you are today? A few key principles integrated into my life: setting clear goals, maintaining a growth mindset, building strong habits, and surrounding myself with the right people. Goals provided direction, while a growth mindset helped me turn challenges into opportunities for learning. Consistent habits, like disciplined work and effective communication, kept me moving forward. Being surrounded by motivated, supportive individuals has elevated my standards and kept me accountable. They’ve provided advice, encouragement, and sometimes that extra push I needed to stay on track. With these elements, I’ve been able to create a framework that helps me succeed and ensures I continue to grow and evolve.

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