Apple Watch Heart Rate to RowErg

[Fountain34]

Is there a way to connect the heart rate monitor on my Apple watch to the RowErg so it shows on my PM5 screen ? thanks in advance!

[thaloun]

No, the healthKit app doesn't allow export like that. You can get close though by having heartrate be one of the views in ergdata and with a phone mount it can be visible right there on top of the monitor.

[Dangerscouse]

Watches are notoriously unreliable for an accurate HR when rowing, so it's always advisable to get a chest or arm strap HR monitor, preferably with ANT+.

I use a CooSpo and they are really reliable, but not expensive

[SwindonRower]

Not a big fan of wrist based heart rate monitors for rowing, the slight wrist flex can cause problems reading your heart rate.
I use a wahoo tickr strap that fits on the upper forearm and it is very reliable in comparison. Polar do a similar strap or you could go with a chest strap.

[DavidA]

It may depend on the individual. I have used both a Wahoo Tickr, and my Apple watch at the same time, and they gave virtually identical results. I have used the watch for years now, and the results are consistent, and look normal.

[Tsnor]

Is there a way to connect the heart rate monitor on my Apple watch to the RowErg so it shows on my PM5 screen ? thanks in advance!

Yes, you can update your apple watch with an app that broadcasts your HR using BTLE. The PM5 accepts BTLE HR data. Google "apple watch broadcast heart rate" to see some options.

That said, the above posts that suggest getting a HR belt are accurate. Rowing is tough on an wrist based optical HR sensors, they don't work well. Especially on hard transitions like when doing short intense intervals. You can do some test rows and see if you are happy with the HR data before buying an app to broadcast the HR data.