Product FAQs

RowPro is next-generation software for indoor rowing, designed exclusively for Concept2 Indoor Rowers by Digital Rowing.

RowPro has a 3D graphics display, plus training plans, a 3D coaching clinic, a built-in rowing log, and much more.

RowPro includes:

• A lifetime supply of Performance Lab training plans
• A 3D Coaching Clinic with Olympic coach Brian Hawthorne
• Automatic recording of every stroke with a PM4, PM3 or PM2+
• Expert performance feedback to track training progress
• Venue Racing with up to 16 Indoor Rowers
• Virtual on-water racing against past rows and pace boats
• Live Internet Racing with up to 15 others worldwide

Click here for more details.

You can use RowPro to:

• Improve members' rowing technique - match members' stroke technique to an on-screen Oarsman who paces them stroke for stroke and coaches them in excellent stroke technique while they row.
• Improve rowing performance - whether members are beginners or elite rowers, use the built-in training plan wizard to create professional training plans for losing weight, improving or maintaining health and fitness, or training for competitions.
• Set up and record workouts - with just a few clicks, your PC can set up simple and complex rows directly onto the Concept2 Performance Monitors and record results as your members row.
• Track target zones - set up target zones for Heartrate, Pace and Stroke Rate, and members can use the on-screen charts to stay within the marked target zones as they row.
• Track member progress - with each row automatically saved in each member's personal digital rowing log, you can track and chart their progress with just a click of your mouse.
• Spice up your rowing program! - with just a few clicks, you can set up an exciting virtual race using advanced pace boats, members' own past rows, and rows saved by other people on the Concept 2 Online Ranking.
• Join the worldwide sport - enter member results into the Concept 2 Online Ranking, and train or race live with other gyms around the world.

A RowPro School Edition 20-User 4-Erg annual license is US $110 p.a.

Pricing for other RowPro Editions, versions and licenses is available in the Digital Rowing Online Store.

One of the major advantages of the annual renewable licenses used with RowPro School Edition is that all upgrades released while your license is current are provided free of charge.

A separate RowPro license is required to run RowPro in each PC. Within one PC, the number of RowPro users is set by the RowPro license.

RowPro School Edition licenses are available for 20, 50, 100 or 200 users. Digital Rowing can also make special licenses with more users if required - please contact assist@digitalrowing.com.

Each RowPro user is provided with their own training plan library, rowing log, pace boats, custom rows, colors and preferences.

The RowPro version is shown in several places:

1. Look at the Build number under the moving line on the Splash Screen that shows every time you start RowPro.
2. Look at the Title Bar at the very top of the RowPro screen.
3. Look in Help / About RowPro.

The PC spec required for RowPro is detailed in the System Specifications tab here.

At this stage we don't have a version of RowPro that runs natively on Mac OSX.

RowPro does run on Intel-based Macs using Boot camp with Vista or XP.

RowPro also runs on Parallels but there's an issue connecting to the PM3/4 via USB so that's no practical use.

A good option is to just get a used XP notebook, which are very cheap these days, and use it as a dedicated RowPro PC.

There are several options for where you position the RowPro PC:

• When one or two people are rowing with RowPro, you normally put the PC on a low table next to the flywheel where the rowers can easily see the PC screen while rowing and they can use the mouse and keyboard before and after rowing. This enables them to set up a row, watch the 3D Oarsman, the charts and the PM twin while they row, and review their splits etc when they're done.
• If more people are rowing, it's best to use a large display screen or a projector so everyone can see the RowPro display while the coach operates the RowPro PC. This is not essential though, because the Performance Monitor on every Indoor Rower shows members how far ahead or behind others near them are at any time, so they can follow progress that way without needing to see the RowPro display screen.

RowPro works with Concept2 PM4, PM3 and PM2+ Performance Monitors.

RowPro cannot connect to a PM2 monitor as these were not designed to connect to a PC. If you have PM2s, you can upgrade these to PM3s or PM4s by using upgrade kits from Concept2.

From version 2.2 onwards, RowPro can connect to up to 16 PMs. The specific number is set by the RowPro license.

These PMs can be PM4s or PM3s or any combination of these.

Note: All PM4 or PM3 monitors must have the firmware versions specified in the System Specifications tab here.

RowPro can also connect to one PM2+.

Note: There must not be any PM4 or PM3 monitors connected at the same time as the PM2+.

RowPro cannot connect to PM2 monitors as these were not designed to connect to a PC. If you have PM2 you can upgrade these to PM3s or PM4s by using upgrade kits from Concept2.

• PM4 / PM3 - Each PM4 / PM3 ships from Concept2 with a USB cable for connecting the PM to a PC USB port. If there are more PMs that your PC has USB ports, you will need to get one or more USB hubs and cables.
• PM2+ - Each PM2+ shipped from Concept2 with a Serial cable for connecting the PM2+ to a PC Serial port. If your PC is not equipped with a Serial port, you can use a USB-to-Serial converter, which you can purchase from your local computer/electronics store.

Digital Rowing recommends members do use heartrate monitors with RowPro, however it is not a requirement.

Ideally you should use a heartrate monitor whose signal can be picked up by your Concept2 Performance Monitors.

Basically if the PMs can show heartrate on their display, then RowPro can also see, chart and record heartrate.

You can however use any heartrate monitor, even if its signal can not be picked up by your Concept2 Performance Monitors, for example ones that uses a watch to display heartrate. Of course in this case RowPro will not be able to see, chart or record heartrates, but at least members will know what their heartrate is, so they'll be able to stay within their target heart rate range.

The usual heartrate monitor used with a PM2+ or PM3 monitor is a Polar HRM with a pickup and cable that connects into the back of your PM2+ or the bottom of your PM3 monitors.

The usual heartrate monitor used with the PM4 is a Suunto HRM. This wirelessly transmits heartrate direct to the PM4. Of all the heartrate monitoring arrangements, this is the best option.

Unless you plan to row online, an Internet connection is desirable but not essential.

RowPro uses an Internet connection for the following tasks:

• Activation - RowPro communicates directly with the online activation server at Digital Rowing to activate RowPro and to get a free 20-day tryout key. If you don't have an Internet connection when you activate RowPro, you can use a web browser on any PC to do this manually.
• Uploading - RowPro communicates directly with the Digital Rowing Rowfile Library and the Concept2 Personal Logbook system to upload any results you may want to upload. If you don't have an Internet connection, you won't be able to upload results.
• Online Rowing - RowPro communicates directly with the Oarbits server for scheduled Online Rowing sessions, and with the Online Rowing server for rowing the sessions. If you don't have an Internet connection, members won't be able to row online.

You can use practically any Internet connection, including DSL, Cable, Wireless, Satellite, 3G or Dial-up.

Note: RowPro uses very little bandwidth, so it does not interfere with other traffic on your Internet connection, however if you row online it is possible for other Internet users at the gym to interfere with the RowPro traffic, for example if someone downloads a video or other large file over a small connection, this could cause problems with online rowing.