OTW Stroke Rate and Heart Rate Monitoring

[Quatroux]

Problem: Can’t measure stroke rate or heart rate when OTW.

Problem: Can’t make any modifications to the boat.

I’m sure I’m not the only one here that rows OTW in a club shell. I’ve been wanting a strokecoach or speedcoach, but realized that mounting it in a shared boat is going to be a problem. The same goes for mounting a phone or tablet. I’d love to know if anyone has seen a way to temporarily mount one of these devices in a boat without major hassle or any modifications to the boat itself.

Potential solutions are the strokecoach with surge rate or a rowing app (ex: phone/tablet) as they require no impellor or seat sensor. However, mounting it so I can see it is a problem because I can’t modify the boat and I need to secure the device from the rare (involuntary) flip test.

The best idea I’ve had is to get a heart rate watch. I could easily read that on my wrist or even wrap it around one of the sculls or rigger.

I could continue to use the app on my phone to track the GPS data for the whole workout (time, speed, and splits). That still isn’t stroke rate but I’m not convinced that number is critical when training in a single if you know your heart rate. What do you folks think? Do I really need to know my stroke rate if I’m doing all my training by heart rate? I also do most of my speed work on the erg and tend to focus on form when OTW.

Assuming I’ve come up with the best idea, let’s explore this heart rate monitor a bit more. I was really hoping this would be my excuse to get a personal fitness appliance like Fitbit. There’s a review of them here (not my site, but a good review is worth mentioning): http://www.digitalmcgyver.com/personal/ ... -round-up/. They all appear to be really bad at monitoring your heart rate so I’ve just wasted your time with this entire paragraph. I am such a jerk. However, you should know that I wasted far more time researching this topic than you did reading this paragraph.

Since I’m leaning towards getting a traditional heart rate watch, I’m just going to get the Nike+ Sportwatch with the Polar chest strap. Let me know if you’ve used the Nike watch. It could be junk, but I can get it cheap enough to still afford an upgrade later if it is junk. Sound like the best plan?

[Stelph]

One solution may have just been announced, the NK Speedcoach GPS has now been released with a heart rate feature

http://www.nkhome.com/store/product.php ... 248&page=1

Downsides are that it doesnt have a PC interface (so you cant download your sessions after the outing or create workouts and upload them) but it would be a simple all in one solution for you as it takes rate from an accelerometer and speed from the GPS

[Quatroux]

that is a new product - very cool - Thanks for the link!

[Stelph]

very new, I think it only appeared yesterday!

Its good to see NK start to innovate as TBH other than the XL their product range did seem to stagnate for a while, however I do think its a shame they havent yet brought out a GPS unit which allows you to sync with a PC to download .GPX/.TCX files, being able to download those files and then upload them into sites like trainingpeaks or sportlyzer makes it a lot easier to track the training you are doing and track the improvements made rather than logging it all in a paper diary

[Quatroux]

Funny you should mention sportlyzer. I started using it this week and am very happy. I never used training peaks so I'm afraid I'm not comparing it to any previous experiences.

[gregsmith01748]

Hi,
I use the speed coach app on my iPhone with a wahoo Bluetooth Le heart rate strap. The iPhone goes in a Seattle sports waterproof case and I use a short Velcro strap through the top closure of the case around the crossbar of the wing rigger.

No mods to boat, and I get pace, rate, heart rate, plus kml output that shows course on google earth or inside the app.

I looked at the speed coach GPS and did not go that way because it did not have heart rate, it does now, but its pretty expensive. If you have an iphone5, I think the wahoo strap, apspeedcoach app and waterproof case are the way to go.

[Quatroux]

That's a good idea. I do row a boat with a rigger closer to stern so I could velcro on bungee my waterproof case to it and probably still get a good view of it. I'll give it a try.

I've had my Nike Sportwatch for a few workouts now and it seems to do the trick for showing current heart rate and tracking average. I wish it would show my peak heart rate at the end of a workout, but that's really a minor issue.

[they85]

This might be offtopic but I'm having problems with Garmin forerunner 910xt and how it counts strokes. It says it measures heart rate, distance, is water proof and also counts strokes. The Forerunner 910XT is able to detect four different swimming strokes. The below list shows each stroke type and the term used in the data field:
Freestyle - Free
Backstroke - Back
Breaststroke - Breast
Butterfly - Fly
But for some reasons my strokes are not counted when I perform sport. Has anyone had similar problem before?
Also, it seems that this watch is defective as it sometimes shows me heart rate of over 200 BPM when my max heart rate should be around 190 BMP (http://healthiack.com/heart-rate-zone-calculator). I know this is not 100% accurate measurement of max heart rate.

Thanks.

[April27]

I'm hoping I can jump in on this conversation because I have questions as well.

I currently have a polar HR monitor that has the watch and chest strap, so an older version. I thought about upgrading to a GPS model (not sure if I'd have to just buy a new watch and still use the chest strap or what). I thought about a GPS version so I could track if I'm running instead of using my phone, which uses up the battery, especially if I"m playing music at the same time, plus the data usage. But I also want to track my OTW Meters rowed and stroke rate if possible. Our club does have stroke coaches for the boats but only a few so not enough for each boat. Therefore I may not be able to use one each time I go out during group pratice.

So I guess I don't know the best route to go if I want to track meters rowed and ran, plus stroke rate, heart rate and time.

Any thoughts?

[peterspivey]

I use the Ritmo time app on my iPhone 5….I put it in a waterproof case and use electrical tape to secure it in place so it can not move. Works perfectly and the app gives you loads of info and it is accurate, no difference to the speed coach app….Pete

[CardiacLarry]

If still looking for a heart rate monitor, consider a SUUNTO.
I used a T4 model for about 6 years. I now have an AMBIT 2S,
which is programmable via a website app. You can get an add-on
for your shoe to get stroke rate.

It has three rows of information all the time.
Upper and lower small font, and central large font.

It does give current heart rate, avg, and peak,
plus get lap or split times. Speed seems only in knots,
but I just have not searched hard enough.

My daughter and I hit 10 knots in a heavy wherry recently.
That comes out to a 6:28 2K pace, by my hopefully accurate
calculations, very respectable. I shortened the workout,
so she poured more into it. Surprised me. Not wind or tide.
We did the same speed in both directions.