Comparison

RowingCoach vs Rowing Machine Workouts

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

RowingCoach

Track your rowing sessions on land or water with detailed metrics like stroke rate, distance, pace, and calories burned. Use your iPhone or Apple Watch independently or together for flexible workout recording and progress analysis. Syncs with iCloud and Apple Health, and exports to popular fitness platforms.

Highlights
  • Track stroke rate, distance, pace, pulse, and calories
  • Use iPhone or Apple Watch for recording
  • Siri integration for workout control
  • Automatic stroke detection
  • Workout display on map
  • Export to Strava, TrainingPeaks, and more
  • iCloud synchronization
Features
Read full description

RowingCoach, available also for the Apple Watch, allows you to track your rowing sessions, compare your workouts and see your overall progress – whether you train on land or on water. == RowingCoach displays the following metrics: • Your current and overall stroke rate (SPM) • The distance covered • Your current and overall pace • Your pulse • Your calories burned == Use the app as suits you best: • Track your session on the iPhone • Only use your Apple Watch to record the training (and leave your iPhone onshore!) • Use the iPhone as display for your Apple Watch recording. Very useful for indoor rowing. == RowingCoach also offers these features: • Use Siri to start and stop your workout • Automatic Stroke detection • Get notified after a certain distance covered, strokes reached or time passed • Display your workout on a map • Speed/pulse shown in color-coding • Share your rowing track with iMessage • Weather conditions are recorded for outdoor workouts • iCloud synchronisation: Have your workouts on all your devices. • Apple Health App integration • Watch Complication: See your weekly progress at a glance • Use Force Touch in the Watch app to quickly start and stop a workout • Today Widget: See your weekly and monthly progress from the Today screen • Add notes (to remember who was cox for example) == Export and upload your workouts to other platforms: • Upload to Strava • Export to RowsAndAll • Upload to MapMyFitness • Upload to TrainingPeaks • Upload to Concept2 Logbook • Upload to Intervals.icu External bluetooth heart rate monitors are supported. If you want to export your workouts via e-mail or want to record more than 3 workouts - you can get to a subscription right in the app.

About

Rowing Machine Workouts

This app provides guided indoor rowing workouts and plans to improve fitness, strength, and leanness. It connects to Concept2 PM5 monitors and Apple Watch for live data, offering structured training for all levels. Features include metronomes, audio coaching, and progress tracking.

Highlights
  • Guided workout plans
  • Live data sync with Concept2 PM5
  • Heart rate streaming from Apple Watch
  • Stroke rate metronome
  • Audio coaching
  • Workout logging and progress tracking
Features
Read full description

Indoor rowing workouts and plans that make you fitter, stronger and leaner. Live sync with your Concept2 PM5 monitor, plus heart rate from your Apple Watch. Follow a guided plan, row in time with the stroke metronome, and watch your progress build week by week. Whether you're new to the rowing machine or want more structure in your training, there's a plan for you. WHY ROWING MACHINE WORKOUTS? Rowing works your legs, core, back and arms in every stroke. It's low impact, burns serious calories and fits any fitness level. This app turns your rower into a coach: clear plans, guided intervals and real data from your machine. Train from just 2 days a week. New to rowing? Start with the Beginner Plan. Want to lose weight? Follow the Weight Loss Plan. Every plan builds gradually to help your body adapt and reduce the risk of injury or burnout. CONNECTS TO YOUR ROWER • Concept2 PM5: connect over Bluetooth for live split, stroke rate and metres during your workout • Smart rowers: connect a wide range of Bluetooth rowing machines for live workout data • Any other rowing machine: follow the guided workouts with the timer and metronome • Apple Watch: stream live heart rate to your iPhone while you row FEATURES GUIDED PLANS Choose a plan for your level and goal. HIIT intervals, target stroke rates and rest guidance tell you exactly what to do and when. STROKE RATE METRONOME Hit your target strokes per minute (SPM) with an audio metronome and phase guide that keep your rhythm steady. AUDIO COACHING Voice cues guide you through every interval while your own music plays in the background. CUSTOM WORKOUTS Build your own sessions. Set your SPM and duration and row your way. FREE ROW Row at your own pace and adjust your SPM as you go. WORKOUT LOG Every session is saved. Track distance, split time and average heart rate, and repeat your favourite workouts. APPLE HEALTH Workouts sync to the Health app for a complete view of your activity. WARM-UPS, COOL-DOWNS & STRENGTH Recommended exercises to prepare, recover and build full-body strength alongside your rowing. Concept2 and PM5 are trademarks of Concept2, Inc. This app is not affiliated with or endorsed by Concept2. HEALTH DISCLAIMER This app is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any fitness program. SUBSCRIPTION TERMS Payment is charged to your Apple Account at confirmation of purchase. Your subscription renews automatically unless cancelled at least 24 hours before the end of the current period. Manage or cancel your subscription in your Apple Account settings after purchase. Any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited when you purchase a subscription. Terms: https://www.vigour.fitness/terms Privacy: https://www.vigour.fitness/privacy

Screenshots

RowingCoach4 screens
Rowing Machine Workouts4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is review sentiment: Rowing Machine Workouts at 87% against RowingCoach's 39%. Rowing Machine Workouts also leads on rating (4.7 vs 3.3) and update cadence (every 6 days vs every 2 months). RowingCoach's advantage is ads (none vs shown). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. RowingCoach sells 3 one-off in-app purchases and Rowing Machine Workouts sells 9 in-app purchases, starting at $6.99 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

Rowing Machine Workouts holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 3.3. Both are backed by a comparable volume of ratings — 118 and 356 respectively. Written reviews point the same way: 39% of RowingCoach's written reviews are positive against 87% of Rowing Machine Workouts's.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

RowingCoach ships an update every 2 months, Rowing Machine Workouts every 6 days. Both last shipped on November 11, 2026.

Scorecard6 real differences · 4 level
RowingCoach versus Rowing Machine Workouts: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterRowingCoachRowing Machine Workouts
PriceFreeFree
Rating3.3 (118 ratings)4.7 (356 ratings) — better
Positive reviews39.1% of reviews87.3% of reviews — better
Number of ratings118356 — better
Update frequencyEvery 2 monthsEvery 6 days — better
AdsNo — betterYes
In-app purchasesYesYes
MonetizationFree with in-app purchasesFree with in-app purchases
DevicesiPhone, iPad, Apple WatchiPhone, iPad, iPod, Apple Watch — better
Requires iOS17.015.6 — better
Further details — not scored
Size9 MB85 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperGunther CronenbergVigour Group Ltd

Customer experience

RowingCoach

All ratings117 ratings
Positive49.6%
Neutral16.2%
Negative34.2%
Written reviews156 reviews
Positive39.1%
Neutral24.4%
Negative36.5%

Rowing Machine Workouts

All ratings355 ratings
Positive92.7%
Neutral4.5%
Negative2.8%
Written reviews189 reviews
Positive87.3%
Neutral5.3%
Negative7.4%

User reviews

RowingCoach

From 118 App Store ratings

What we love

  • ⌚ 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

Room to improve

  • 🐛 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

Rowing Machine Workouts

From 356 App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Effective graphics and workout
  • 👍 Straight forward and easy to use
  • 👍 Metronome helps with pacing
  • 👍 Variety of workouts and programs
  • 👍 Warm-up and cool-down exercises

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Subscription issues and lost access
  • ⚠️ Lacks ability to sync with rowing machines
  • ⚠️ Interrupts stroke when changing pace
  • ⚠️ Limited data tracking and analytics

Bugs and requests

RowingCoach

Reported bugs

20 issues
  • 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%)
Show 15 more
  • 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

Requested features

18 requests
  • Calibration settings for different rowing machines
  • Automatic pause/resume detection
  • Customizable workout countdown timers
  • Bluetooth connectivity for Concept2 PM5
  • Improved calorie burn calculations
Show 13 more
  • 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

Rowing Machine Workouts

Reported bugs

2 issues
  • Free trial not functioning properly
  • Connectivity issues with some rowing machines

Requested features

3 requests
  • Ability to create custom workouts
  • Integration with Apple Watch
  • More detailed workout data and progress tracking

In-app purchases

3 purchases

RowingCoach

One-time3
  • Unltd. recs & export (1 Month)$0.99
  • Unltd. recs & export (3 Months)$1.99
  • Unltd. recs & export (1 Year)$4.99
9 purchases

Rowing Machine Workouts

Subscriptions8
  • Rowing Workouts Weekly$6.997 Days
  • Premium Monthly$9.991 Month
  • Premium Monthly2 variants$14.991 Month
Show 5 more
  • Premium Yearly1 Year trial$79.991 Year
  • Premium$79.991 Year
  • Rowing Workouts Yearly$79.991 Year
  • Rowing Workouts Yearly7 Days trial$79.991 Year
  • Rowing Workouts Yearly7 Days trial$99.991 Year
One-time1
  • Lifetime Access$249.99

Questions

Is RowingCoach free?
RowingCoach is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Is Rowing Machine Workouts free?
Rowing Machine Workouts is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, RowingCoach or Rowing Machine Workouts?
Rowing Machine Workouts is rated higher. RowingCoach averages 3.3 out of 5 from 118 ratings, while Rowing Machine Workouts averages 4.7 from 356 ratings.
Do RowingCoach or Rowing Machine Workouts have ads?
Rowing Machine Workouts shows ads; RowingCoach does not.
Which is updated more often, RowingCoach or Rowing Machine Workouts?
RowingCoach ships an update every 2 months, and Rowing Machine Workouts every 6 days. Most recently, RowingCoach was updated on November 11, 2026 and Rowing Machine Workouts on November 11, 2026.

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