Fans of House of Cards, the hit Netflix series, have watched fictional, power-hungry politician Frank Underwood maintain his fit, virile image by rowing for hours on end in his basement. Now, it seems Mr. Underwood’s exercise routine is catching on in a big way. Rowing machines are more popular than ever, and rowing classes are quickly popping up in gyms across the country. Fast-paced Indo-Row and ShockWave group exercise classes (think high-intensity spinning class, but with rowers instead of bikes) keep you sweating with team rowing and competitive (but fun) relays, and some even supplement the workout with core work and strength training.

Rowing is an amazing cardiovascular exercise that works your body from head to toe – everything from your legs and core to your arms and back. Your quads and glutes supply much of the power and drive of the movement, with critical support from your arms and shoulders, while your core engages to help stabilize the body. With all of these major muscle groups involved, it’s no surprise that you can burn a whopping 480 to 600 calories per hour, depending on the intensity.

If you’re looking for a new, high-energy workout that torches major cals, I suggest giving rowing a test run at your local gym (most fitness centers have the machines on the floor, even if they don’t offer group classes). If you’re considering investing in a machine for home use, check out WaterRower and Concept2, two of the most popular, cutting-edge rowers on the market. Both are used by elite athletes and found in some of the best gyms and training centers in the country.