Indoor rowing update?

Epix2, SW 18.16

Hi Garmin Connect team,

I love rowing, it’s my daily routine and mind spa. I’m rowing ~10KM daily for over 2 years, 1st year with Apple Watch and then I have switched from Apple Watch to Epix2 because of battery life and it was a good call, really like my Epix2. I’d like to ask when Indoor rowing activity will get some attention. For a year I’m getting rowing summary „distance: zero”, same for „strokes per minute: zero”.

Apple Health has new metrics like rowing speed, yet Garmin Connect is sharing very rudimentary data: activity start, stop, active energy.

When rowing fans can get some attention from Garmin? I has been like that for more than a year now.

Thanks,

Blazej

Top Replies

trux 1 month ago in reply to Blazejos +1

I recommend suggesting it to Garmin at Share Ideas | Garmin

All Replies

0 trux 1 month ago

Blazejos said:
For a year I’m getting rowing summary „distance: zero”, same for „strokes per minute: zero”.

Did you ever connect the rowing machine to the watch?

How Do I Connect My Rowing Machine to My Fitness Watch? | Garmin Customer Support

0 Blazejos 1 month ago in reply to trux

I’m using SmartRow rowing monitor, it’s not compatible with Garmin Connect.

It’s not really needed, for current performance stats I do have SmartRow iPhone app, what I’d like to have is more rowing session details in my Garmin Connect app and Apple Health - for long term analysis, trends and other analytics. We do collect all those data to make use of it after all.

I’d assume if Epix on a wrist can quite accurately measure my steps, measuring rowing strokes should be easy, it’s quite distinctive, repeatable hand gesture. ***, I can even give my average stroke length as custom input. Rowing session actually does have SPM ratio, it’s just not shown in activity summary, making whole experience at least underwhelming.

0 trux 1 month ago in reply to Blazejos

Blazejos said:
I’m using SmartRow rowing monitor, it’s not compatible with Garmin Connect.

I did not mean connecting the monitor to Garmin Connect, but connecting the sensors of your rowing machine directly to the watch.

0 trux 1 month ago in reply to trux

... and if not possible to connect the sensors directly, there are some Connect IQ apps that seem to be able to handle the connection between SmartRower and a Garmin device:

0 Blazejos 1 month ago in reply to trux

I am familiar with RowPower iQ and while it does connect to SmartRow rowing monitor, it disconnects SmartRow iOS app from it in a process. SmartRow device can’t stream data to two apps simultaneously and frankly, I don’t want to break my rowing rhythm constantly to check my watch, which is going through all activity screens in a cycle anyway.

It’s either makes sense or it doesn’t. I’m not asking for custom integration and engineering around SmartRow limitations. I’m pretty sure Epix2 + Garmin Connect can do better for rowing enthusiasts.

0 trux 1 month ago in reply to Blazejos

I recommend suggesting it to Garmin at Share Ideas | Garmin

0 Adam-1972 1 month ago in reply to Blazejos

Blazejos said:
It’s either makes sense or it doesn’t. I’m not asking for custom integration and engineering around SmartRow limitations. I’m pretty sure Epix2 + Garmin Connect can do better for rowing enthusiasts.

If you have mobile app to your rowing machine, why you don't ask their developers to provide integration with Garmin?
Many other companies does it, why they don't?