Everything you need to get RowCoach working in the boat, plus a plain-English account of how the app handles your data.
A rigid deck or footstretcher mount works best. Stroke rate is read from the hull's surge on each drive, so a phone loose in a pocket will undercount.
Tap Allow when RowCoach asks for location. Wait for the indicator in the top corner to turn green before you push off.
Start an open session, or load a piece from the Workouts tab. The screen stays awake for the whole row.
RowCoach connects to Bluetooth heart rate sensors. Open Settings in the app, tap Scan for Sensors, and select your strap or watch.
Chest straps (Polar, Wahoo, CooSpo) work directly. Garmin and Whoop need their broadcast mode switched on. Apple Watch can't broadcast heart rate on its own — a watch app such as HeartCast or BlueHeart bridges it.
Stroke detection needs the phone fixed to the boat so it feels each drive. Mount it firmly rather than holding it, and make sure it isn't wrapped in thick padding. It will read dashes when you're sitting at the catch and resume once you're rowing.
Open any finished workout from History and use Export. TCX files upload to Strava, Garmin Connect, and TrainingPeaks. CSV works for spreadsheets or manual Concept2 Logbook entry. PDF gives you a clean printable report.
Yes. Switch the activity on the Train tab. Metrics adapt to each sport — split for rowing, pace for running, speed for cycling — with full GPS routes and heart rate throughout.
Entirely on your device. RowCoach has no accounts and no servers, and nothing is uploaded unless you choose to export a file yourself. See the privacy policy below for detail.
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Last updated July 7, 2026
RowCoach is designed to keep your data private. This policy explains what the app accesses and how that information is used.
RowCoach does not collect, transmit, or sell your personal data. Everything the app records stays on your device unless you personally choose to export or share it.
Location (GPS). RowCoach uses your device location while you are using the app to measure boat speed, split, distance, and to draw the map of your course. Location data is stored only on your device as part of your workout history. It is never sent to us or any third party.
Motion and fitness data. RowCoach uses the device's motion sensors to detect rowing strokes and calculate stroke rate. This processing happens entirely on your device.
Bluetooth. If you choose to connect a heart rate sensor, RowCoach uses Bluetooth to receive heart rate readings from that sensor. Heart rate data is stored with your workout on your device only.
All workouts, notes, plans, and settings are saved locally on your device. RowCoach has no user accounts, no servers, and no analytics or tracking.
You may choose to export a workout as a TCX, CSV, or PDF file and share it with another app or service — for example, uploading a TCX file to Strava, Garmin Connect, or TrainingPeaks. When you do this, the data you export is handled by that third-party service under its own privacy policy. RowCoach does not perform any automatic uploads.
You can delete any workout from within the app at any time. Deleting the app removes all of its data from your device.
RowCoach does not knowingly collect any personal information from anyone, including children.
If this policy changes, the updated version will be posted at this address with a revised date.
Questions about this policy can be sent to oldenben4@gmail.com.