HR data from Apple Watch / iOS Activity App

[eh1]

I use ErgData on my iPhone connected via bluetooth to my PM5 to record workouts and to upload workouts to the Concept2 online log. My Apple Watch 3 records my HR during workouts accurately. Although the HR displays on my watch but not the PM5 or in ErgData, the data IS recorded on my phone. It is viewable in the Activity iOS app Workouts tab. The HR data is associated with the ErgData icon and the start/finish time and duration of the workout matches exactly the times in ErgData. There is a nice plot of HR during the workout too. That same data and HR plot is also viewable in other iOS apps, such as Workouts++ and Zones, which have write AND read access to both workouts and heart rate data in iOS Settings - Privacy - Health. In contrast, ErgData only has write, but not read, access to heart rate data under iOS Settings - Privacy - Health.

I write to request update to ErgData to allow read access to heart rate data in iOS so that the HR data can be matched to power / time data in ErgData and then be viewable after upload in the online log. I contacted customer support, but was directed to a 3rd party app, SelfLoops, instead. Apple Watch is the #1-selling fitness watch. At least for me it is more comfortable than a chest or arm band and it is accurate for me. Wearing an arm band or chest strap would be duplicative and add to cost.

In the meantime, until hopefully ErgData is upgraded, does anyone else have suggestions for getting/using Apple Watch HR data?

[Ed W]

I really wish C2 would make an ErgData companion app for the Apple Watch. Both Zwift and Live Rowing have watch apps that send heart rate data directly to main app on the phone. I’ve e-mailed support with this feature request before (as well as for GymKit support, not holding my breath on that one) and they directed me to SelfLoops, which was ok, but I couldn’t connect it to the PM5 at the same time as Ergdata on my phone was connected...I guess it’ll only take one Bluetooth signal at a time.

[TheDon]

It seems crazy that concept2 is not keeping up with technology and leading hardware providers (Apple - I'm this case).

How do we get them to develop seamless integration with apple?

[Citroen]

It seems crazy that concept2 is not keeping up with technology and leading hardware providers (Apple - I'm this case).

How do we get them to develop seamless integration with apple?

How do you know that? How do you know it's not Apple that doesn't want to play nicely?

The only way to get Ergdata improved is to write to rowing@concept2.com with the things that bug you.
The only way to get RowPro improved is to write to Digital Rowing with the things that bug you.

[eh1]

Since the Concept2 performance monitor isn’t working with Apple Watch directly, I purchased The iOS Heart Graph app ($2.99). It works very well with my Apple Watch during rowing workouts. My iPhone mirrors my heart rate from the watch and I place the phone in a cradle above the performance monitor so I can train to heart rate. Concept2 could definitely learn from these developers!