Rowing Machine NerdThe Best Heart Rate Monitors for Rowing
Heart rate is the missing piece on most rowing monitors - it tells you whether your "easy" rows are actually easy and your hard efforts are actually hard, which is the difference between training with intent and just rowing. The good news: your Concept2 PM5 (and most modern monitors) pairs directly with a heart-rate strap over Bluetooth or ANT+, so the reading shows right on the screen.[1]
Chest strap or armband - not your watch
Wrist-based optical sensors (smartwatches) struggle during rowing because gripping the handle and flexing the wrist disrupts the reading. For accurate data you want either a chest strap (the most accurate) or an optical armband worn on the forearm. Both beat a watch on the erg by a wide margin.
Our picks
Polar H10
The gold-standard chest strap. ECG-grade accuracy, rock-solid during the dynamic catch and drive of rowing, with both Bluetooth and ANT+ so it pairs with the PM5 and any app at once. Long coin-cell battery life. If you want one strap that just works, this is it.
Best for: Anyone who wants the most accurate, no-fuss heart rate.
Wahoo TRACKR Heart Rate
Wahoo's latest strap swaps the coin cell for a rechargeable battery, with a durable design and dual Bluetooth + ANT+ connectivity. Accuracy is excellent and you never hunt for a CR2025 battery - a great-value all-rounder.
Best for: Rowers who'd rather recharge than replace batteries.
Polar Verity Sense
An optical sensor worn on the forearm or upper arm - far more accurate than a wrist watch during rowing, and more comfortable than a chest strap for people who dislike them. Bluetooth and ANT+, with onboard memory too.
Best for: Anyone who finds chest straps uncomfortable.
Garmin HRM-Pro Plus
Dual-band (Bluetooth + ANT+) with a deep metric set and broad ecosystem support. More than most rowers need, but if you're also a runner or cyclist deep in Garmin, it's the one strap to cover everything.
Best for: Multi-sport athletes already in the Garmin ecosystem.
CooSpo H9 / H808S
A budget chest strap with Bluetooth and ANT+ that connects to the PM5 and apps perfectly well. Accuracy and build don't match a Polar H10, but for a fraction of the price it does the core job.
Best for: Getting accurate heart-rate data without spending much.
What to look for
- Dual connectivity: Bluetooth and ANT+ is ideal - Bluetooth pairs with the PM5 and phone apps, ANT+ lets you connect to other devices at the same time.
- Strap comfort & fit: a strap you'll actually wear beats a more accurate one you won't. Armbands suit people who hate chest straps.
- Battery: coin-cell straps last hundreds of hours but need the odd battery; rechargeables are tidier.
- Accuracy under movement: rowing is dynamic, so chest straps (or arm optical) hold up far better than wrist sensors.
How to connect it to your Concept2
Put the strap on, then on the PM5 the heart rate appears automatically once you start rowing - it picks up Bluetooth or ANT+ straps without extra setup. To also see it in an app, pair the same strap (or the PM5) in apps like ErgData - see our guide to connecting your Concept2 to apps. Then use it to train by feel and number with our Zone 2 and interval sessions.
References
- Which Monitor Do You Have? (PM3, PM4, PM5) - Concept2
Frequently asked questions
- What heart rate monitor works with a Concept2 PM5?
- Any Bluetooth or ANT+ chest strap or armband - the PM5 picks them up automatically and shows your heart rate on screen. The Polar H10 (chest) and Polar Verity Sense (armband) are excellent choices.
- Is a chest strap better than a watch for rowing?
- Yes. Wrist-based optical sensors struggle during rowing because gripping the handle disrupts the reading. A chest strap is the most accurate; an optical armband on the forearm is a comfortable, accurate alternative.
- What's the best heart rate monitor for rowing?
- The Polar H10 is our overall pick - ECG-grade accuracy, dual Bluetooth and ANT+, and reliable during the dynamic rowing stroke. The Wahoo TRACKR is the best rechargeable, and the Polar Verity Sense the best non-chest-strap option.
Jordan Lockwood (BSc, CPT)
Certified personal trainer (CPT), sports-science graduate, and lifelong rower. Jordan writes and reviews every guide on Rowing Machine Nerd.