Bill Harris

Ice Hockey Player and WaterRower Owner

 "Since moving to Cambridge from the USA, I started rowing with the Clare College fellows in an eight in the off-season of ice hockey to keep in shape.   But getting on the river in an eight is a production even in on the Cam and it's even more difficult in the dark cold winter during the ice hockey season.  So knowing that rowing is great low impact workout, I decided to buy a machine.  I checked out several and settled on the WaterRower because its action seems best to mimic naturally what it feels like to catch and pull on real river water, it's compact, good looking, smooth and stable, and it has a nice monitor so you can easily programme and follow exercise routines.   One big advantage of having a machine at home is that it is sweet and easy to use it for 30-40 minutes before breakfast - follow that by 10 minutes of stretching and a shower, and I am ready to face the day at the lab knowing that I have already done a decent session of exercise.  The extra leg strength also makes walking up those the stairs to my office effortless.  The other big advantage is that I can do this during the hockey season and that gives me the fitness I need to work to capacity on the ice.  I think I go harder than many of my 30-years-younger team mates, who wonder how I do it.  It's not difficult once you have found a good way to exercise."

Professor Bill Harris, Cambridge University, Clare College Fellow's Eight and Cambridge Eskimos Ice Hockey Team.