Rowing with a Garmin Watch, using it to Record Stroke Rate

Running cadence has been part of many GPS watches for sometime but until recently GPS watches have not been able to measure Stroke Rate when rowing.

Garmin watches can offer great rowing specific features, a lot of the newer models are now incorporating rowing cadence ‘stroke rate’ into the standard features of the watch. Even if the watch can not record stroke rate as standard the OS that a lot of Garmin watches use, connect IQ, allows for custom apps to be developed.

When analysing workouts I have found the Strava segments I have completed seeing a stroke rate for these is great to see if Stroke Rate is a fact for why I was quicker in one effort than another.

Strava is a quick way to see an obvious difference in stroke rate, my attempt at the ‘Pooh Sticks’ segment on the left was completed in 1:08 at an average stroke rate of 36 where as the attempt on the right was 1:10 with an average stroke rate of 35. Recording your stroke rate for later analysis can answer questions about why one piece felt good but was slow and another felt bad but was fast. For even further analysis Rowsandall.com can analyse your stroke rate even more accurately to 0.1.

If you Garmin does not have rowing stoke rate measurement as standard the following Connect IQ Apps once installed on your Garmin Watch can measure, display and record stroke rate without any other sensors (please check compatibility) –
Rowing Stroke Connect IQ App – The Rowing Stroke is a data field tailored for rowing. It displays strokes/min. It does not require any sensor to measure strokes/min. The strokes/min is evaluated simply through analysis of the speed variation. The method returns the exact stroke if the stroke has been relatively stable during the last 10 strokes.
Rowing DashBoard – The Rowing DashBoard is a data field tailored for rowing. It displays 4 essential variables: strokes/min, pace/500m, stroke length and heart rate (if HRM is present) in one single data field. It does not require any sensor to measure strokes/min. The strokes/min is evaluated simply through analysis of the speed variation. The method returns the exact stroke if the stroke has been relatively stable during the last 5 strokes.
Rowing Cockpit – This data field displays all necessary parameters for rowers in one field.
Major features:
– Stroke is calculated without the need of an additional device (cadence or foot-pod etc). Need at least 5 stable strokes
– When passing the split distances 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000m the split times are displayed for the additional 150m
– The app detects an U turn and consequently resets the lap.

Uploading to Strava from a Garmin device.

Training on a Concept2 –
There is also an app that can connect your Garmin watch to a Concept 2 PM5 monitor via an Ant+ connection.
Erg IQ (Beta) – ErgIQ will allow you to connect a compatible Connect IQ enabled device with a Concept2 rowing machine. The following is required for this to work:
– supported Connect IQ enabled device, see supported device list;
– Concept2 PM5 running FW v22 or greater;

Below are some great Garmin watches to look at ranging in price from £165 to £500 –
Garmin Forerunner 230 GPS Running Smart Watch
Currently the lowest priced Garmin watch, this watch supports connectIQ apps so the rowing stroke rate can be added.

Garmin Vivoactive HR GPS Smart Watch
I see a lot of uploads to Strava from people using this watch. Unfortunately the wrist based optical HR has not had good feedback from rowers, however it is good for tracking resting heart rate and so how well rested you are.

Garmin Forerunner 235 GPS Running Watch with Elevate Wrist Heart Rate
Like the FR230 but with an added optical HR, maybe a useful feature for people that like to cross train and go running.

Garmin Forerunner 735XT GPS Multisport and Running Watch
A multi sport watch that has many functions for swimming and cycling. Middle of the road on price which more features over the more basic models.

Garmin Fenix 5 Multisport GPS Watch with Outdoor Navigation and Wrist-Based Heart Rate – Slate Grey with Yellow Band
Garmins premium product it is packed full of features and has a design that makes it a watch you can wear all day.

Garmin Forerunner 935 Bluetooth Black Sport Watch
Almost identical to the Fenix 5 in functions this watch is packed full of features the casing has a sportier design over that of the Fenix 5.

Unfortunately monitoring heart rate whilst rowing with a wrist optical heart rate sensor can be inaccurate to the point of useless. The contraction of the arm muscles means that optical heart rate sensors that are built into watches lose contact with the skin and so do not give a true reading. A heart rate strap is normally needed so be aware of this when ordering your watch.
The Wahoo TICKR Heart Rate Monitor and Wahoo TICKR X have both Ant+ to connect to a Garmin watch and Bluetooth to connect to your phone or PM5.

We have had a good review about the Garmin FR935 in regards to its optical HR monitor and rowing, it would be great to get some more feedback as to how this watch is performing both on the erg and rowing on water.

The Garmin Vivoactive 3 GPS Smartwatch (3rd Gen) has just been released, this has the same optical heart rate unit as the Forerunner 935 so it will be interesting to see how it performs when rowing. The Vivoactive HR (2nd Gen) the predecessor has been very popular with the rowing community as it was one of the first watches to have on the wrist rowing stroke rate calculation as a standard feature.