Recommend a free training app

[q445187]

I am 56 years old, have rowed before (3 million meters) but have been away for years, just coming back to my C2. I just ordered a PM5 and a new Polar H9 heart rate monitor. Incidentally, if anyone would like to make an offer on the perfect condition pm3

I am looking for a (non subscription) free training app to get started again. Yes I understand good things cost money and the developers and trainers deserve to be paid etc. However, knowing how working out goes, especially when you get old and get injured easier etc... Anyway, you get it. I want to get started again with direction other than my own, eventually I am sure I will probably buy a subscription, if I last I don't want to race, I have no interest in trying to "link up with others", I just want to work on stamina, weight loss and overall strength and fitness. I also have a Bowflex and Bowflex free weights if there is some app that does everything.

I have looked at the app store (IOS) but of course it is overwhelming and what I did find seems to be mostly trials for 30 days etc. I also tried to search the forum because I didn't want to be "that guy", or a "noob", but what I found was to "know that Carl thinks RowPro is all there is" lol.

Thanks in advance!

[Sakly]

Hi, searching for a specific rowing App or overall fitness App?
If last one, go to Freeletics App and use the free version, try out the free workouts. If bodyweight suits your needs (from my understanding it will), then get a 3 month coach in a sale to test the coach algorithm and the implemented journeys.

I use the App nearly from beginning and if you do not like to think about you schedule/plan it will do it for you in a good way.
Rowing can be added without any problem

[q445187]

I will look at it. Thank you.

[mitchel674]

What are you looking to get out of an app?

If you just want to row along with a video, there is a lot of content on youtube. You can look at Dark Horse, etc... I row along with Eric Murray's workouts every Sunday. They can be very motivating.

[Carl Watts]

Yeah RowPro is all there but I think you need a PC or Mac to be able to get a lifetime license.

If you cannot afford USD$75 for that while its on special (Like right now for January) and it could last you 5-10 years as its a lifetime license then you have a motivation problem. Technology moves on pretty fast now, at some point it will simply stop working due to the Windows OS moving on.

RowPro is not all about racing, you can row very structured training rows. Really its like a gym buddy it makes you get on the rower at specific times to ensure you do the rows. Without it I guarantee 90% of people that buy an Erg quit using it after 6 to 12 months and sell it.

The move is towards subscriptions, which work out significantly more expensive in the long term.

[jamesg]

I just want to work on stamina, weight loss and overall strength and fitness.

These all come if you pull a hard stroke and plenty of them.

Suggest you start by bringing your stroke up to scratch. This only needs technique and a month or so of 20-30 minutes work at rate 20, 3-4 days a week. Short intervals can help if HR gets out of control.

Ergdata shows stroke length and force directly. Quality indices, such as W/kg (>2), W/Rating (>10), meters/stroke (>10), all indirectly, can be used to monitor progress.

[q445187]

“Scratch”?

[mitchel674]

What are you looking to get out of an app?

[jamesg]

Sorry, somewhat cockney maybe, and one of those UK words with a lot of (Collins says 29) meanings:

up to scratch: reaching an acceptable standard:
Your last essay wasn't up to scratch/didn't come up to scratch.

When rowing a stroke can be short and weak or long and hard. There's a big difference as you'll know.

A weak stroke won't move a boat and is not likely to have much training effect, so we start by developing it somewhat, if we want to keep our seat and get fit.

[q445187]

Copy that.

[mitchel674]

What are you looking to get out of an app?

You don't seem to know and/or are not willing to answer.

Rowpro is not really a traditional app. It runs on your computer and allows you to row with others around the world. Lots of fun, but very limited participation means there are not always rows conveniently available. It does have training plans, but I've not really used it for that. I do enjoy routinely rowing with others on Rowpro.

Asensei is a great app. I enjoy the training options, and it does link to your PM5 which allows the app to utilize your stroke rate, pace and heart rate. These are basically row along videos of many different workouts or plans with the app guiding you based on your output. I find it engaging and enjoyable. It does cost money, but I don't have an issue with the price. There obviously is a cost associated with having Asensei workouts created with Eric Murray or Shane Farmer (Dark Horse).

EXR is a gamification of rowing. Perhaps that is more of what you are looking for. I don't have experience with it, but it also is not free.

[Tsnor]

A heart rate belt is a good thing to have while training. It becomes critical if you believe any of the modern training approaches, and will be needed for most app based training programs.

A polar heartrate belt comes with free polar beat/flow apps which will give you the raw data to plan your workouts, etc. $60 plus for H9 belt, more for better H10. Other good belts out there cheaper, don't know their apps. If you want to look at heart rate variance data grab EliteHRV, free, but you'll need a belt that surfaces the right information (e.g. h10).

The free online Concept2 log is excellent. Ergdata from concept2 is a critical free app to record your sessions and store in C2 log. (there are ergdata alternatives, but you need something to get your data into concept2 log if you care about trends.)

Concept2 log will push data to Strava, Garmin Connect, Training Peaks, Fitbit. There are free and up-scale versions of these apps. https://www.concept2.com/news/connectin ... ksand-more This works well if you are multi=sport (cycling, running, etc). If you end up with a fitness watch, the C2 log data integrates with those.

Rowpro was discussed.

If you are just looking for rowing workout of the day type apps, you can get WOD from concept2 or youtube for free.

[Dangerscouse]

Just to carry on what Tsnor said, I use a CooSpo HRM (I think you can get them for £35-40) and use the Polar Beat app as well so it can be combined with other options.

I also use Ergzone instead of Ergdata and that automatically links to my logbook. I find Ergzone to be far more user friendly as it's got more options and it stores your favourite sessions

[JaapvanE]

EXR is a gamification of rowing. Perhaps that is more of what you are looking for. I don't have experience with it, but it also is not free.

I use it on a daily basis. It is a bit cumbersom to set up, but during rowing it is great. It allows great planning of a row, and keeps me occupied. Indeed, not free, but worth the money IMHO.

[sizzlefuzz]

ErgZone is amazing! I just started using it a few days ago and I wish I had been using it from day 1. So customizable, and tons of community training sessions to choose from if you want to pick something premade.