# RowingCoach — user reviews > 151 indexed App Store user reviews of RowingCoach by Gunther Cronenberg, rated 3.30/5 from 117 ratings. - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rowingcoach/id1202290980/reviews - App overview in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/rowingcoach/id1202290980.md - Rating breakdown: 5★ 39 · 4★ 19 · 3★ 19 · 2★ 14 · 1★ 26 ## What do users think of RowingCoach? Overall sentiment: mixed **Pros** - ⌚ Excellent Apple Watch integration - 🗺️ Accurate GPS tracking for on-water rowing - ❤️ Heart rate monitoring functionality - 📊 Comprehensive workout statistics and metrics - 🔄 Seamless syncing with Apple Health - 📱 Clean, intuitive user interface - ⬆️ Regular app updates and improvements - 🚣 Reliable stroke detection for on-water use - 📤 Easy export to Strava and other platforms - 🎯 Simple and focused app design **Cons** - 🐛 Frequent crashes and freezes - 📏 Inaccurate distance estimation (especially indoors) - ⚠️ Strokes per minute (SPM) consistently underreported - 🔋 Excessive battery drain on Apple Watch - ❌ Data loss after pausing workouts - 📊 Missing metrics in workout summaries - 🔌 Poor Bluetooth connectivity with PM5 rowers - ⏱️ Inconsistent time tracking - 🚫 Subscription not recognized on watch - 📤 Manual uploads required despite auto-sync settings - 🎨 Display overlay issues on newer Apple Watch models - 📱 iPhone display issues after iOS updates - 🔄 Unreliable data syncing between devices - 💾 Workouts frequently not saved or displayed - ⚙️ Inconsistent app performance across sessions **Commonly reported bugs** - Distance resets to zero when workout is paused - SPM not displaying in real-time during workouts - App crashes when receiving phone calls - GPS tracking stops working after iOS updates - Stroke count significantly underreported (off by 30-50%) - Distance values wildly inaccurate (2-3x actual distance) - Workouts not appearing in app history despite being tracked - Subscription validation fails on Apple Watch - App hangs on workout start - Data not uploading to Apple Health - Clock overlay blocking metrics on Apple Watch - Display elements overlapping when phone is rotated - SPM showing zero for entire workouts - Metrics switching between metric and imperial units mid-workout - App freezing when trying to save workouts - PM5 connection showing as connected but not syncing data - Strava export missing distance data for indoor rows - Watch app not appearing after installation - Contact/feedback link in app not functional - Inconsistent heart rate detection **Most requested features** - Calibration settings for different rowing machines - Automatic pause/resume detection - Customizable workout countdown timers - Bluetooth connectivity for Concept2 PM5 - Improved calorie burn calculations - Watt power output calculations - Distance per stroke efficiency metric - Audible stroke rate announcements - Always-on display support for Apple Watch - Manual workout editing capabilities - Automatic Strava uploads - Detailed heart rate and pace graphs - Training plan integration - Ghost/challenge mode for self-competition - Garmin Connect integration - Multiple language support (French, German) - Improved watch display optimization for larger screens - Better contrast for outdoor visibility ## Newest reviews (17 of 151) ### 3/5 — Worked for a while *2026-05-02* The app worked at first, then my subscription ran out. I bought another one, but the app stopped tracking my workouts altogether. Ever since my initial subscription ran out, all my workouts say that they’re 6 seconds long and that they were done in December of 2016, which is wildly incorrect. Before this happened, the app was 5 stars. **Developer response:** Hi, could you please contact me at mail@rowing-coach.eu and give me a detailed description of your problem. Are you rowing indoors or outdoors? All the best, Gunther ### 3/5 — Distance issues *2026-01-07, version 1.9.14* My complaint is that if you pause even briefly, it wipes out the distance that has been tracked so far. ### 3/5 — Werte werden bei der Auswertung nicht mehr angezeigt *2025-08-27, version 1.9.10* Seit dem 6.8. werden die Werte auf dem iPhone nicht mehr angezeigt. Die Gesamtkiometer sind erhöht, statt ca 19 Kilometer werden ca 30 Kilometer angezeigt. In der Info zu den Gesamtkilometer werden keine Segmente wie Distanz, Puls, Tempo und Schlagzahl mehr angezeigt ### 2/5 — Keine HF *2025-06-19, version 1.9.9* Indoor-Rudern ist für mich Cardio-Training. Da will ich v.a. die Herzfrequenz im Blick haben. Nur auf der Apple-Watch ist die gerade beim Rudern schwer abzulesen. Ich dachte, da könnte diese App helfen. Leider gefehlt. ### 4/5 — Bisher prima App *2024-10-04, version 1.9.9* Seit dem letzten IOS Update wird der Streckenverlauf und die geruderten Kilometer auf dem IPhone nicht mehr aufgezeichnet. Auf der Apple Watch ist es noch sichtbar. ### 2/5 — Good app, could be better *2024-07-24, version 1.9.9* I love the GPS tracking and ability to record workouts on an Apple Watch. Sadly when comparing to NK speedcoach GPS data is way off, particularly SPM. Recent race I was at 32-34 SPM on NK, rowing coach data indicates 20-28!!!! There is no way I was that low. ### 3/5 — Great rowing app! *2024-06-12, version 1.9.9* Allows you to track your rows with ease. I’ll leave my iPhone in the club shed and the watch can track workouts without needing iPhone connection. Only gripe with the app is after each workout it asks if I want to delete - I know it’s a matter of time until I accidentally delete my session on the water. Uploads to Strava work well, but it is manual. it would be nice to have an auto import to Strava available. Update, I’m also finding I have to fight with the app and Strava to indicate the correct time. I suspect it’s an issue with my Timezone as gmt +10 as I’m in Australia, but eventually if I delete and import several times it either picks the right time or I give up. ### 3/5 — Was great *2024-04-18, version 1.9.9* App stopped tracking row so no map or distance now avail- can’t report it or get support as this is not working! ### 3/5 — Anzeige auf der Watch verbesserungswürdig *2024-03-10, version 1.9.9* Ich nutze die App seit Jahren, war bisher sehr zufrieden. Nach Anschaffung einer neuen Uhr muß ich jedoch feststellen, daß die Rowing Coach-App auf der Apple Watch nicht für die neueren Modelle mit größerem Bildschirm (Apple Watch 8) optimiert zu sein scheint: Die Puls-Anzeige ist sehr klein, dabei wäre mehr Platz verfügbar. Außerdem ist die rote Anzeige auf schwarzem Grund bei Sonneneinstrahlung schlecht erkennbar (obwohl meine Watch auf höchste Helligkeit eingestellt ist). Wäre super, wenn da noch nachgebessert werden könnte - dann wäre auch der 5. Stern fällig. ### 2/5 — Bug *2024-02-07, version 1.9.8* Pouvez-vous faire une mise à jour svp ! L’appli Bug sans arrêt : des fois je ne peux plus l’ouvrir, d’autres fois je ne peux plus m’entraîner… ### 3/5 — Rowing *2024-02-05, version 1.9.8* Pretty good app but I have paid for the 3 month subscription and it won’t track my 500m split and gps as well as other things, this is highly frustrating ### 4/5 — Distance measurement has disappeared in ios17 *2023-09-23, version 1.9.6* Can’t see distance covered for any new workouts after getting on ios17 on iPhone 15 pro max. ### 2/5 — Could be very handy, but it’s inaccurate *2023-09-10, version 1.9.6* After using the app for a while, I find that it consistently underestimates my distance rowed on my indoor machine, and also underestimates the calories burned vs. what’s measured by my machine. I hope they fix these faults, so this becomes a truly useful app. ### 3/5 — Fix SPM *2023-07-15, version 1.9.6* I have used this app for on lake rowing for a few years. I have the Ultra watch. After pausing my workout, SPM does not work real time after continuing. The history does seem to be correct when viewing overall workout. ### 3/5 — Distance rowed *2023-06-20, version 1.9.6* After looking at your app it shows distance In miles this morning after rowing my regular route it shows 10 laps? Is there a way to get the distance in miles? Please advise! Thank you! ### 3/5 — Utile mais à améliorer *2023-05-18, version 1.9.6* Pourrait servir mais au final la grande utilité par rapport aux applications comme Strava est le nombre de coups par minute, or ça ne fonctionne pas du tout (et encore moins en bateau que sur l’ergo) > 12 coups par minute en moyenne au lieu des 18/20 enregistrés avec le Stroke Coach … ### 1/5 — 3번 이상은 구독이래 ㅋ *2023-04-28, version 1.9.6* 바이 ## Most critical reviews (10 lowest-rated) ### 1/5 — Strecke wird nicht mehr angezeigt *2025-10-09, version 1.9.12* Die App funktioniert auf der Apple Watch Ultra 3 aber es wird in die App keine Strecke mehr angezeigt bzw. Übernommen. Sonst die App leider sinnlos ### 1/5 — App not in sync with PM5 *2025-07-27, version 1.9.9* I have FW 215 HW 903 , even when PM5 displays “app connected” RowingCoach” doesn’t start the workout log or screen mirroring. ### 1/5 — Leider veraltet *2025-06-16, version 1.9.9* Die App wurde seit einem Jahr nicht mehr aktualisiert und passt überhaupt nicht mehr zu den aktuellen Betriebssystemen. Sie funktioniert nur noch mit einigen Grundfunktionen. Vieles, was beschrieben ist geht nicht (geschätzte Strecke, Kalorien …). Und dann bleibt das wenige auch stehen, wenn ein Telefonanruf kommt oder etwas anderes unvorhergesehenes. ### 1/5 — Sensitivety of stroke rate too low *2025-03-19, version 1.9.9* July 2024:One year ago the app was quite good and reliable. But now, used with an Apple Watch Ultra, the stroke rate is recorded to low (2136 strokes counted on rower, 1513 recorded in app. At the moment cannot be used! March 2025: Recording got even worse, from real 1200 Strokes at machine, watch recorded 350! At this stage not recommended ### 1/5 — Keine Übertragung mehr an Apple Health *2025-01-01, version 1.9.9* Warum wird das Training in Apple health und Aktivitäten nicht mehr angezeigt? An den Einstllungen wurde nichts geändert! ### 1/5 — SPM not working *2024-10-10, version 1.9.9* The trial worked great so I purchased the app to finish off the rowing season. However the app stopped showing the s/m while on the water the other day. I’m training for a race and that was the whole reason I purchased the app. I’ll give it another shot tomorrow and probably delete if it doesn’t work. ### 1/5 — Annoyingly *2024-08-04, version 1.9.9* My sculling partner and I both have had rowing coach for a while. My last row is nowhere to be seen on my iPhone and hers won’t open as her sub is not acknowledged. It’s such a bummer because it can work really well. ### 1/5 — Eigentlich funktioniert nur die Uhr *2024-01-28, version 1.9.8* Ich habe die App für einen Monat abonniert und wollte sie für ein Home Rudergerät verwenden. Nach mehreren Trainingseinheiten funktioniert eigentlich nur die Uhr. Weder werden Schlagzahl, Entfernung… etc angezeigt. Betätigt man Pause und danach wieder Start, erscheinen irgendwelche Zahlen ( nach 14 Minuten hatte ich 13 m ????? geschafft!!! ), bleiben dann stehen und werden erst nach erneutem Pausen drücken zu wieder irgendwelchen Zahlen dazu addiert !!! Eine Schlagzahl gab es überhaupt nicht !!…. nicht mal nach ca. 30 Minuten Trainieren !! Wie bekomme ich das geregelt ???? ### 1/5 — Apple Watch App Way Off *2023-10-27, version 1.9.6* I used the app with my Apple Watch Ultra 2 with a Concept 2 RowErg and it was wildly off. Adding around 5000 meters to a 25k row. I paid so I could upload the results to C2, there’s very little detail in what’s uploaded. My hope was that I could use this in place of ErgData. It doesn’t work for this. I’ll try it on the water and see how it does. ### 1/5 — Doesn’t upload to Health *2023-05-03* I had one indoor rowing session uploaded to health and pleased, I purchased a subscription. Now after purchasing, nothing gets uploaded to health, Strava, or even the phone app from the watch! The history is on the watch app but there’s no way to upload the data, the only option is “start new session”. I’ve uninstalled/reinstalled, checked permissions allowing all and only the upload permissions. Nothing works. Finally, every link in the phone app works EXCEPT the one to provide feedback to the developer. **Developer response:** Hello, Thank you for your feedback! Please note that the workout gets synced from the Watch to the iPhone and when the battery of the Watch is low this process can take some time. - First you need to enable Strava support from the settings page (accessible by tapping the cog wheel on the top right). You can upload a workout from your iPhone to Strava by going to the workout details and pressing the export button in the top right corner. - After reinstalling the app, you need to give RowingCoach permission to post to Health again. Might that be missing? - To send me feedback through the app you need to have an email account configured in Mail. Is it possible that you are using an alternative solution? In any case: I am always reachable at feedback@rowing-coach.eu I hope I have addressed all your issues, if you need any further assistance, please write me a follow up mail! I hope that you will enjoy RowingCoach after resolving these issues! All the best, Gunther ## Most praised reviews (10 highest-rated) ### 5/5 — Besserung *2025-08-31, version 1.9.10* Die App hat sich verbessert, man kann jetzt auch zwischendurch anhalten und später wieder beim Rudern weitermachen. Dies ist von Vorteil, wenn man eine kleine Trinkpause einlegt und trotzdem die Daten über eine Strecke von etwa 10 km errechnen will. Aktuell gibt es noch einen Fehler. Wenn man das iPhone dreht, dann überlagern sich teilweise Anzeigeelemente, insbesondere findet sich eine Überlagerung der Pulsfrequenz (geprüft mit iPhone X und iPhone 16 Pro), Ich glaube, ich werde diese App kaufen, so dass der Entwickler motiviert ist, weitere Verbesserungen ein Souf ### 5/5 — Does the job well *2024-12-26* I’ve been using this app for 3 years now and have logged 688 hrs on it, mostly on the water. I use it with an Apple Watch and iPhone X. It tracks my distance, time & strokes accurately. My only complaint was that sometimes it would take a minute to pinpoint my starting location via GPS, which would make it look like I’d started rowing in the road, about a mile from the starting dock. I have worked around this by starting my row in the app while I'm on the dock but a couple minutes before I enter my boat, then ending that short “row” and starting a new session when I actually start rowing. The first session seems to give the app time to pinpoint my location. I later go back and delete the “false” 2-minute workout, and the real workout shows the proper starting location on the map. ### 5/5 — Simple, Yet Just What I Needed *2024-11-14* This is a super simple app, but it does the job. It connects well with my Apple Watch and I can see my stats on my iPhone easily. While it’s off by a little bit from my rowing machine on stats, it’s not off by a ton and it doesn’t bother me. It counts towards Apple Fitness for the exercise ring on the Apple Watch, which is super nice! Love the dark themed UI! I will say, as a visually impaired user, it’s quite difficult to see the indicators for each number such as mi and SPM, but I’m learning to memorize where each number is since those are large and easy to see. ### 5/5 — Indoor distance w/o Bluetooth *2023-01-03, version 1.9.4* Finally found an app which can use just the Apple Watch to estimate indoor distance. Great app. Does exactly what it suppose to. Can definitely recommend 👍🏻 ### 5/5 — Superbe app parfait pour l’Apple Watch *2022-03-09, version 1.9.3* Rien a dire l’app fonctionne très bien avec l’Apple Watch mesure tous ce qu’il faut Je recommande Merci !! ### 5/5 — Schlagfrequenz *2021-09-01, version 1.9.2* Die App funktioniert beim skullen super. Aber beim Riemenrudern zeigt sie SF‘s an, die überhaupt nicht stimmen. Leider keine Reaktion vom Entwickler, sehr schade. Muss Alternative suchen. ### 5/5 — Awesome! *2021-08-21, version 1.9.2* I’ve just started on water rowing and this app is perfect. I can start it on my wrist using Watch and leave my phone in the boathouse. Gives some nice metrics including GPS data. I don’t us it on dry land as ErgData links to my C2. The upload to C2 logbook is awesome. ### 5/5 — Simple alternative to NK speedcoach *2021-08-04, version 1.9.2* Get the most out of your Apple Watch (+GPS) with this app. No hardware to install on the shell, just track and go, which is awesome especially for club rowers. The automatic water lock is a nice touch, one less thing to press. It’s dead simple, and with integration with services like Strava and rows-and-all, there are more than enough options for data nerds to get their analyzing on. I would love to see how this compares to NK speedcoach hardware *for the average rower*. Given time, and the evolution of Apple hardware this could be a real *accessable* alternative to unreasonably expensive performance tools. Bravo. ### 5/5 — No longer works after last Watch OS update! *2021-02-18* Used to love it, but most recent update of Watch OS wrecked it. GPS split, distance and track no longer works. Developer used to be readily accessible, but he has not responded to 3 mails about the problem. Would have given it 5 stars, but it is pretty useless now so I kindly give it 2. **Developer response:** Glad that we managed to resolve the problem and thank you for updating this review to 5 stars. Happy rowing! ### 5/5 — Indoor Streckenlänge fehlt in Strava Export *2021-02-10, version 1.9.1* Update 1.9.1 beseitigt die Strava Export Lücke bei Indoor Einheiten, danke für den super Support -> 5 Sterne Im Großen und Ganzen macht die App was sie soll. Benutze sie ausschließlich für Indoor mit der Apple Watch 6. Hierbei fällt auf dass häufig keine ø Schlagzahl auf der Uhr live erfasst wird, in der Trainingsstatitistik ist sie dann aber zu sehen. Meistens kann ich das korrigieren in dem ich das Training kurz unterbreche und dann nach einer Minute fortsetze, dann erfolgt auch eine live Anzeige der ø Schlagzahl. Beim Export nach Strava ist alles vorhanden nur die Streckenlänge fehlt, warum? Habe auch keine Möglichkeit gefunden diese nachträglich in Strava zu erfassen. (Ok, die ø 500m Zeit fehlt auch aber damit kann ich leben) --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-06.*