May 8, 2017

Meet Dan Hix of Iron & Oar in Lakeview and Lincoln Park

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Dan Hix.

Dan, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Iron & Oar started at another studio that I used to own called DHF Lakeview. We provided small group fitness classes that were mostly HIT style training that involved a lot of functional fitness, strength training, and core work. I had been a part of the rowing community and knew about the benefits of rowing for years, and I wanted to have my client’s experience the benefits of rowing as well. We started off by buying 1 used rowing machine off craigslist for $400 and started using it during classes and the feedback was great. People loved how it got their heart rate up but worked strength at the same time, but most importantly they loved how it was low impact and didn’t hurt their back or knees. That was really our “AHA” moment.

From there we went a bit deeper with the idea and bought another machine and put a class on the schedule once a week that was rowing specific called “Iron & Oar” with the class description “half rowing // half weights”. From there the word grew and we added 2 “Iron & Oar” classes to the schedule, then 3, then 4. When the classes kept on selling out with huge wait lists, I said “I think we really got something here”. So we opened up a new studio called Iron & Oar in 2015 and have been able to grow an amazing “Crew” of clients.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Obstacles are only there if you choose to look at them that way.

“The stronger the wind, the stronger the tree”- forgot who said that, but it’s true. There are so many things that can stop you dead in your tracks if you let it.

No, there have been zero obstacles, but many times have I had the opportunity to test my resilience.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Iron & Oar story. Tell us more about the business.
We are Chicago’s first indoor rowing studio that delivers workouts that are equal parts cardio and strength. Our classes incorporate interval style training on the rowing machine as well as dynamic sculpting exercises that are designed to create lean muscle. People love our classes because they are high intensity, low impact, and work your entire body. Our studio has been incredibly fortunate to grow an amazing community where people are excited to row with your and everybody helps to motivate each other to the finish line.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
If you live in America and you’re reading this right now, that means that (1) that you can read and probably write (2) you have enough time to worry about bigger picture things and you’re probably not working 3 jobs to get by or wondering where your next meal is. So by default you are better off than 99% of the world. Consider yourself lucky. Just stop right now, take a pause and say thank you. Not to anyone or anything in particular, just be thankful, and say it out loud every day.

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