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
• 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 your rowing technique - match your stroke technique to an on-screen Oarsman who paces you stroke for stroke and coaches you in excellent stroke technique while you row.
• Improve your performance - whether you're a beginner or an elite rower, use the built-in training plan wizard to create a professional training plan for losing weight, improving or maintaining your 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 your PM4, PM3 or PM2+ and record results as you row.
• Track your target zones - set up target zones for Heartrate, Pace and Stroke Rate, and use the on-screen charts to stay within the marked target zones as you row.
• Track your progress - with each row automatically saved in your personal digital rowing log, you can track and chart your progress with just a click of your mouse.
• Spice up your rowing! - with just a few clicks, you can set up an exciting virtual race using advanced pace boats, your own past rows, and rows saved by other people on the Concept 2 Online Ranking.
• Join the worldwide sport - enter your results into the Concept 2 Online Ranking, and train or race live with other people around the world.

RowPro Home Edition 5-User is US $99.

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

Upgrades from any Version 2.x to any other Version 2.x are free.

Upgrades from Version 1.x to Version 2.x are available for $39.

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 Home Edition licenses are available for 5, 10 or 15 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 number of Mac folks 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 your PC:

• To row with RowPro you normally put your PC on a low table next to the flywheel where you can easily see the PC screen while rowing and you can use the mouse and keyboard before and after rowing. This enables you to set up a row, watch the 3D Oarsman, the charts and the PM twin while you row, and review your splits etc when you're done.
• You can also put your PC on a desk near your Indoor Rower, where you can still see the screen reasonably well while rowing but you have to set up your workout before you get on the Indoor Rower. This works fine but is not as convenient as having the PC right next to you.
• You can also put your PC on a desk even further away, where you maybe can't see the screen while you row but your PC can still connect to your Concept2 PM to set up and record the results of each row. This is less useful because you can't watch it while you row, but at least RowPro can set up your sessions and record the results.
• You can also use RowPro without connecting it to your Indoor Rower, for example to create training plans or manually enter results in your rowing log. This is very useful when you're not near your Indoor Rower.

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 a PM2, you can upgrade this to a PM3 or PM4 by using an upgrade kit 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 a PM2 monitor as these were not designed to connect to a PC. If you have a PM2, you can upgrade this to a PM3 or PM4 by using an upgrade kit from Concept2.

• PM4 / PM3 - Each PM4 / PM3 ships from Concept2 with a USB cable for connecting the PM to a PC USB port.
• 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 highly recommends you do use a heartrate monitor 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 Monitor.

Basically if the PM can show your heartrate on its display, then RowPro can also see, chart and record your heartrate.

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

The usual heartrate monitor used with the PM4 is a Suunto HRM. This wirelessly transmits your 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 your 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, you 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 your place to interfere with the RowPro traffic, for example if someone downloads a video or other large file this can cause problems with online rowing.