Grit Row’s Pothier outpaces pandemic, looks to lift others
By Tom Peterson
It’s an average Monday at Grit Row next to The Dalles Gorge Athletic Club on Pomona Street.
But it’s anything but average.
Kathy Pothier is wearing her ball cap, electric-orange spandex and chatting up her class as they work through an hour of rowing and upper- and lower-body work.
Black lights have turned the room a dark hue of purple as bright colors pop and rowing machines whir.
Michael Jackson's Thriller jams in the background.
“This is a lot more fun,” said Maggie Justesen, a 19-year-old college student who attends Mount Hood Community College. “Nice atmosphere. Good People.”
And none of the sense that people are watching you.
It’s kind of freeing, she said.
“It’s a little dark. So, no one can see me. That’s kind of nice.”
Carmen Toll feeling great.
Two rows away, Carmen Toll, former director at The Dalles Art Center, is stretching out.
The 65-year-old has been working out with Grit Row for 18 months.
“I thought you had to be young to do this,” she said, noting she had not exercised much before meeting Pothier. “I’ve never done sports or anything. I was raised a proper woman and a minister’s wife. And I am a darn good cook and seamstress. I am an expert. But at 65, you have to keep moving, or lose it.”
“I feel great,” she said. “When I was off for a month, I felt a big difference. I used to get brain fog. Not now.”
During the workout, Pothier challenged the class to a 100-meter rowing sprint, and they all dig, bending legs and pulling back on the handle.
Paddles spin against water inside the rowing machines at Grit Row, providing resistance as students pull for meters on the electronic readout.
At the end of the challenge, Pothier points to the neon 4 written in marker on her forearm. The student with a time ending in 4 has won some free swag - a bar of custom made honey soap from La’Don Homestead - made by another local female entrepreneur - to kick off her “BEE engaged initiative to continue supporting services and organizations that serve The Dalles.
“Rowing is an amazingly effective low impact + full body workout,” Pothier said. “Every stroke utilizes 86% of your muscles allowing you to build aerobic endurance, increased range of motion and muscular strength in a way that is easy on your joints. Grit row pairs rowing intervals with resistance training on the mat, using light weights or bodyweight, for a full body workout.”
Pothier is not only here to pump up her class, but she’s also in The Dalles to pump up the local economy. She buys gift cards and gifts from local businesses to give away to her students for participating in Grit Row and for working on building their own strength.
Win-win, she said.
People have taken notice of her business of late.
She has also been asked to move her studio to Hood River, even Seattle.
And it would mean more money for her.
She gave a “solid no.”
She’s believes in creating and supporting businesses where she lives in The Dalles. Pothier noted there is a strong group of female business owners who are helping to invigorate the area. Pothier pointed to the Workshop, Studio Fit, Sunshine Mill and a number of other businesses with strong women pushing The Dalles forward.
Brenna Campbell proudly points out that she has surpassed the 100,000-meter mark in rowing after class. Campbell owns and operates Brenna’s Mosier Market.
After class, Brenna Campbell points to the wall. She has rowed more than 100,000 meters, and she proudly displays the milestone written on a mirror at the front entrance of the room.
Brenna operates Mosier Market and is also a big supporter of homegrown businesses.
“It’s addicting,” Campbell said of attending class. “I looked around trying to find the right thing. Then I found Kathy and rowing, and I love it. It’s an individual workout where you focus on yourself. And we all talk and have a good time and you don’t have to be self-conscious.”
Pothier also calls out for group rows during the session, where all of the students get into the same cadence of rowing. They sync up.
“It’s intense. It’s great,” said Mo Burford, 34.
And it’s a total workout, he said. On this day students were not only rowing but then going to the mats for lunges, squats and crunches.
“It’s a full body workout,” he said. “I’m a runner and the cardio is pretty good. Sarah (Cook) and I come together. It’s guaranteed exercise.”
Sarah said she was hooked.
“On some level, I'm sure it's just my body telling me it likes being exercised, lol, but I think you're right when you mention some kind of special tone or vibe in the room, and I think that's a huge part of why I'm committed now. There's a way that Kathy instructs that is just innately body positive: there's constant emphasis on listening to your body, and any sense of challenge has to do with our own metrics.”
Students also work together to pick a charity and raise money for a nonprofit which she now calls BEE Engaged, buy local and support services and organizations that support The Dalles community.
If one photo could say it all, this might be it for Kathy Pothier.
Pothier said they were able to donate almost $3,000 in total to Haven + SafeSpace last year and hundreds in cash and in gifts for the holidays to The Next Door from Grit Row along with donations from many who row with her.
And here’s something Pothier would never tell you.
She’s too humble.
So, I will.
The kid’s got moxie.
Who starts an exercise business in a pandemic? In a city park, no less.
Kathy, that’s who.
That’s because it takes stamina, character, and, well … grit. She comes by it rightly.
The former division1 NCAA rower for the University of Massachusetts has been digging in since July 2020 with the business, pouring profits back into the community and more equipment. And recently, she moved her studio, which now includes 10 WaterRower machines and 9 stationary bikes, to The Dalles Gorge Athletic Club, 731 Pomona St.
New Owners of The Dalles Athletic Club, Colleen and Tim Dahle. Photo by Kathy Pothier.
She is leasing the old dance studio at The Dalles Athletic Club. She said of new owners, Tim and Colleen Dahle,
“They have been doing great work here,” noting courts had been resurfaced, the parking lot re-paved and they were looking to work with Denae Manion to paint a mural in the near future.
“The Dalles is rapidly changing,” Pothier said. “It feels like The Dalles is cresting. People are getting energized, engaged and inspired. I am proud to be a part of that.”
Grit Row offers three different classes: Grit Row, Grit Ride & Grit Power.
For more information click here - Grit Row.
