Funny thing about the Olympics. For the participants, it’s all about athletic excellence.

For the rest of us? It’s about couching it with a bag of Fritos and a six-pack.

Why not let the experience inspire more than a mindless (if patriotic) stupor? In the wake of the past summer’s games, take a cue from the sleek, muscular physiques of the fittest Olympians of all: the rowers.

Join Josh Crosby’s Indo-Row class at Revolution Fitness. Ten rowing machines stand at the ready for the complete beginner or the seasoned oarsman. Josh leads everyone to row in unison, so it feels like you’re all moving the same boat (teamwork, people). But each person works at his or her own level — it’s up to you how much power you put into your stroke.

Working out to the latest mixes from KCRW’s Liza Richardson, you may find the class so much fun that you forget you’re burning as many as 1,000 calories an hour and getting what Josh claims is the best tush workout in town.

Now, we can’t prove that for sure. But it’ll definitely give you a better workout than your couch.

Boats and water not required.

Indo-Row at Revolution Fitness, 1211 Montana Avenue, between Eleventh and Twelfth Streets, Santa Monica (310-393-6399 or revolutionfitness.net). Call at least 24 hours in advance to reserve a space in the class.