Integration between strap-based ErgData and wrist-based activity trackers

General discussions about getting and staying fit that don't relate directly to your indoor rower
Post Reply
BrianV
Paddler
Posts: 2
Joined: January 27th, 2025, 11:52 am

Integration between strap-based ErgData and wrist-based activity trackers

Post by BrianV » January 27th, 2025, 12:32 pm

Hello all.

New-ish rower, only about a month in. Currently rowing with an old Garmin HRM strap back from when I was a runner, and before heartrate-tracking watches were really available. I'm familiar with the reasons why we don't want wrist-based HR tracking while rowing.

My employer is running a 'Wellness challenge' starting in a week or two with some decent prizes. I currently have Ergdata syncing into Google Fit, which then syncs into the company wellness platform, so I'm getting 'credit' for my rows. However, I want to purchase an activity tracker to catch my daily steps and other activities - I do a lot of walking, often at a higher length/pace or carrying loads, up & down steps, climbing etc, and I'll be 'losing out' if those aren't tracked.

So, some questions, hoping to draw on community experience as we have a unique situation where we have multiple different sources of fitness data (Ergdata with strap vs Fitbit / Garmin / whatever using wrist-based trackign):

1. How do I avoid getting 'double credit' if a row gets synced into Google Fit from both ErgData and Garmin / Fitbit / Strava etc? Do I need to sync my rows through the other fitness app?

2. Is there any way to ensure the ErgData information takes precedence, especially as relates to heartrate?

3. Is any one of Garmin / Polar / Fitbit / Samsing etc. significantly better in this respect than any other?

Finally, I don't need GPS, and would prefer to keep cost down. I don't really want a full 'smart watch' with all my phone's notifications going to it. I just want something that does the core job of activity tracking well in a way that integrates nicely with ErgData and my heartrate strap!

JaapvanE
10k Poster
Posts: 1370
Joined: January 4th, 2022, 2:49 am

Re: Integration between strap-based ErgData and wrist-based activity trackers

Post by JaapvanE » January 27th, 2025, 1:02 pm

BrianV wrote:
January 27th, 2025, 12:32 pm
2. Is there any way to ensure the ErgData information takes precedence, especially as relates to heartrate?
I wouldn't do that. The PM5 has the weird habit to permanently disconnect HR once it has a small issue. Other recipients of the same signal (watch, fan and OpenRowingMonitor) have no issues with it. So many of my logbook rows have no HR while my watch has recorded it.

Apps live in their own universe, so they push data and apps like Strava will just duplicate sessions.
BrianV wrote:
January 27th, 2025, 12:32 pm
3. Is any one of Garmin / Polar / Fitbit / Samsing etc. significantly better in this respect than any other?
I use my Garmin watch to connect to the PM5 directly via ANT+, so Garmin is my single source of truth for all my activity data. I do record to my C2 logbook, but that is essentially a dead end.

Please note, certainly not all Garmin devices can interface with the PM5 via ANT+. So look at sites like dcrainmaker.com whether the right ANT+ profiles are supported.

BrianV
Paddler
Posts: 2
Joined: January 27th, 2025, 11:52 am

Re: Integration between strap-based ErgData and wrist-based activity trackers

Post by BrianV » January 27th, 2025, 2:34 pm

I wouldn't do that. The PM5 has the weird habit to permanently disconnect HR once it has a small issue. Other recipients of the same signal (watch, fan and OpenRowingMonitor) have no issues with it. So many of my logbook rows have no HR while my watch has recorded it.
Yep - just to be clear, I have no intention of connecting a watch to the PM5, or explicitly tracking the activity on it. I'd much prefer ErgData to sync the row to Garmin Connect or Strava or whatever source.

My main concern is if I wear the watch, and it interprets the rowing activity (rightly) as a physical activity and uploads it.

Maybe the answer is just to make sure I remove the watch for rows.

JaapvanE
10k Poster
Posts: 1370
Joined: January 4th, 2022, 2:49 am

Re: Integration between strap-based ErgData and wrist-based activity trackers

Post by JaapvanE » January 27th, 2025, 2:49 pm

BrianV wrote:
January 27th, 2025, 2:34 pm
Yep - just to be clear, I have no intention of connecting a watch to the PM5, or explicitly tracking the activity on it. I'd much prefer ErgData to sync the row to Garmin Connect or Strava or whatever source.
You could, but as I indicated: when a PM5 loses connection to the HR belt, it will lose it for the entire session. So you run a serious risk of not recording all HR data. Watches have a more robust approach.
BrianV wrote:
January 27th, 2025, 2:34 pm
My main concern is if I wear the watch, and it interprets the rowing activity (rightly) as a physical activity and uploads it.
On a Garmin you have to tell it you are going to row before it records it as a sporting activity. Otherwise it is just elevated heartrate.

Tsnor
10k Poster
Posts: 1299
Joined: November 18th, 2020, 1:21 pm

Re: Integration between strap-based ErgData and wrist-based activity trackers

Post by Tsnor » January 29th, 2025, 1:18 am

BrianV wrote:
January 27th, 2025, 12:32 pm
... I want to purchase an activity tracker to catch my daily steps and other activities - I do a lot of walking, often at a higher length/pace or carrying loads, up & down steps, climbing etc, and I'll be 'losing out' if those aren't tracked.
Look also at using your phone to measure steps instead of an activity tracker. It's free and at least as accurate (if you often carry your phone). Since you sync to google fit, look at that app for steps. https://support.google.com/fit/answer/1 ... in-control

Tatiana11
Paddler
Posts: 1
Joined: January 29th, 2025, 2:36 pm

Re: Integration between strap-based ErgData and wrist-based activity trackers

Post by Tatiana11 » January 29th, 2025, 2:40 pm

BrianV wrote:
January 27th, 2025, 12:32 pm
Hello all.

New-ish rower, only about a month in. Currently rowing with an old Garmin HRM strap back from when I was a runner, and before heartrate-tracking watches were really available. I'm familiar with the reasons why we don't want wrist-based HR tracking while rowing.

My employer is running a 'Wellness challenge' starting in a week or two with some decent prizes. I currently have Ergdata syncing into Google Fit, which then syncs into the company wellness platform, so I'm getting 'credit' for my rows. However, I want to purchase an activity tracker to catch my daily steps and other activities - I do a lot of walking, often at a higher length/pace or carrying loads, up & down steps, climbing etc, and I'll be 'losing out' if those aren't tracked.

So, some questions, hoping to draw on community experience as we have a unique situation where we have multiple different sources of fitness data (Ergdata with strap vs Fitbit / Garmin / whatever using wrist-based trackign):

1. How do I avoid getting 'double credit' if a row gets synced into Google Fit from both ErgData and Garmin / Fitbit / Strava etc? Do I need to sync my rows through the other fitness app?

2. Is there any way to ensure the ErgData information takes precedence, especially as relates to heartrate?

3. Is any one of Garmin / Polar / Fitbit / Samsing etc. significantly better in this respect than any other?

Finally, I don't need GPS, and would prefer to keep cost down. I don't really want a full 'smart watch' with all my phone's notifications going to it. I just want something that does the core job of activity tracking well in a way that integrates nicely with ErgData and my heartrate strap!
To avoid double credit, just sync your rows from ErgData and disable syncing from other apps like Garmin/Strava to Google Fit. You can prioritize ErgData by adjusting settings in Google Fit or your wellness platform. Garmin and Fitbit are solid choices—Garmin works well with heart rate straps, while Fitbit is more affordable and good for general activity tracking. A basic Garmin or Fitbit should be enough without the smartwatch distractions.

Post Reply