Rowing/Stationary Rowing Machine Exercise Shortcut

[Donnaj415]

Considering most of the important cardio equipment is represented in the Exercise list, I think it's more than justifiable to add a stationary rowing machine to the list. Almost every gym in America contains at least one or more Concept 2 rower as it is a total body and low impact method of Cardio. It's one of my favorites and I'm sure I am not the only user that is a bit disappointed that is not represented.

Moderator edit: Edited title for clarity and added labels.

[lesterbangs]

Please add

[fracmo]

I recently purchased a Garmin Vivoactive 3 that has rowing support. So far I am really impressed with the dashboard and stats. Plus a whole lot of  widgets and of course it supports indoor and outdoor rowing!  Looking forward to using it this week as I have several rowing sessions planned. I don’t think FitBit plans on supporting rowing. I waited a long time with no indication that they were even considering it. I have moved in to another product that’s does. 

[Aztec007]

Thanks for this input. It definitely is a future direction that I and others will be taking because of the total lack of customer service and support from the Fitbit company for rowing! Time for a farewell?

[Wambat]

I agree. The Fitbit Charge3 does not meet my needs. I will be buying a Garmin Vivoactive3.

[fracmo]

I had my first row in a single last night using the Vivoactive 3.  The data captured is very comprehensive.  I can look at split times overlayed with stroke rate, meters per stoke, and heart rate. 

The pause/resume feature is much better than Fitbit (I used the Bike activity when I rowed with Versa) and you can customize the fields on 3 screens to scroll through the tracker during the activity.  So far very happy with the Garmin purchase and I highly recommend it if you row. I have not used it for indoor rowing yet but all the same features are available in both activities.  Anyone interested in a used Versa?

[jsh13435]

Thanks for the info.

Moderator Edit: Personal info removed

[AndrewJolly]

Well, I am definitely getting a garmin watch next time around. I borrowed a
friend's and its well worth the extra money I reckon. Fitbit have no
interest in product development it seems, just keep selling what they do
right now.

That's fine.

What isn't is that when you ask a question you get redirected to a forum
full of people who have been asking the same question for more than 5 years.

[will56lim]

I am surprised that since 2015, so many people are asking for rowing to be included as an exercise shortcut but currently it is already 2019. 4 years and the feature is still not included, this is kind of disappointing. In gym, rowing is my favourite cardio exercise and I have an intention to get a water rower to be used at home soon. I do not understand why treadmill and elliptical is included but rowing is not. They are considered similar type of cardio exercises. I see Fitbit as a brand and device that promote fitness but however, it seems like Fitbit team does not listen to what customer want.

[RowToLive]

My original post was possibly 2 years ago. I still row and my son rows for his highschool. He has asked for a Fitbit to track his activities but I had to buy him a Garmin instead because Fitbit cannot and will not consider adding this feature.

This thread may not be tracked by Fitbit anymore. I don’t see any response from them.

Let’s face it. Garmin Garmin Garmin.

Sent from my iPhone

[PQ2079]

Yes, please add a shortcut for Rowing Machine (inspire HR). Also please keep in mind that if I’m rowing a distance I need to enter time taken and if I row a time I need to enter distance rowed.

This would make a big difference.

Thanks,

[AndrewJolly]

Its not going to happen - people have been asking on this forum for 5 years
for things to be added with no response whatsoever from Fitbit.

Best look to get another fitness tracker that does what we need out of the
box. I myself will be getting a Garmin.

[Malibu14]

This feature sure has been 'under construction' a long time, 4 years in development, come-on, really?

SpaceX developed self landing rockets in less time?! 

The C2 PM's already produce the data - fitbit just need create an activity that allows a user to plug in their actual PM numbers. 

Concept 2, has over 1400 Rowing groups; 6166 people currently competing in the Concept 2 Fall Team challenge;  I suspect more than a few of these folks own a Fitbit, so what's the hold up?  

[Malibu14]

Update:

Poking around my Concept 2 Logbook, i decided to confirm my profile settings.  At the bottom of the User Profile list of categories of data -  select "Applications."  Opened, you will find the option to share your Logbook activities with Fitbit.  We'll see how well it works after my workout today.  

[AndrewJolly]

The hold up is that they can't be arsed. Their business plan is simply
selling to overweight middle aged people convincing them that if they do
enough steps they might prolong their life.

They do not make, and are not interested in making proper sports/fitness
trackers.

I will be looking elsewhere for my next watch.

[Malibu14]

Thank you for your response!

I appreciate your frustration with Fitbit, which is evident by many on the community page.

On the 'legal speak' page, if I read it correctly,  Fitbit states, they cannot activate/use a feature or service that is requested by the community / customer.  What?  Wow!

Caught me - that's me, middle aged, but healthy and getting better all the time... Fitbit & BMI; Even my doctor says BMI is the most useless number ever! 

For real results I, and my Dr's office, use Tanita Biometric scales, much better picture of ones health.   

If you row and have a Concept 2 logbook you can send rowing stats from your C2 logbook to your Fitbit account - limited data shows up on your fitbit dashboard - but that is a C2 feature not fitbit, like you said - appears they remain to be 'limited' in scope.  

Health & wellness - isn't about adding years to my life, it's about adding life to my years, however many that may be. 

Granted, abusing our health is sure to shorten life!   ​

Best wishes in your fitness devices shopping and healthy life objectives! 

[Melly2022]

Why wouldn't we have rowing? It's one of the most engaging stationary activities every muscle is going I sweat harder in those 10 min then I ever so on the elliptical or stepper etc. 

[Melly2022]

Why wouldn't we have rowing? It's one of the most engaging stationary activities every muscle is going I sweat harder in those 10 min then I ever so on the elliptical or stepper etc.  I find it somewhat discouraging I know I'm getting a more effective work out but it doesn't reflect it in my app and makes you subconsciously feel like you've not made much effort

[pweissenborn]

I am amazed that rowing (water and land/erg) are not supported. When Fitbit first came out, I purchased one for my wife because rowing was shown in the television commercial. Very disappointed. So - this is a vote for water and land rowing if the forum is every monitored.

[Feber]

I was surprised that there is no rowing machine exercise shortcut for the versa. Can one be added in the future? 

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @Feber. Thanks for explaining why you would like to have a see rowing machine as an exercise shortcut with us! I've moved it into a similar suggestion which has been updated as "Under Consideration". You can check this other suggestion here. Keep adding your suggestions!

[gryphiniii]

I am glad to see 

LizzyFitbit   responding that adding rowing machine capability is "under consideration". Some of the other forums on rowing had been changed to "not under consideration" or similar wording.  I have shared that I set my FitBit Surge (getting very old school at this point) to Bike when I go out for a row on the water.  When the activity up loads to Strava I am able to edit the work out to reflect that it was actually rowing.  I have heard that choosing Elliptical offers a similar result for when one ergs (rowing machine). 

[AndrewJolly]

Keep adding your suggestions!

You forgot to add, 'so that they can be ignored for years and years!'

[Melly2022]

Hahaha @LizzyFitbit considering that there are almost 900 comments 1800+ up votes and 5 years of Fitbit users requesting and backing this request, I feel like it's most definately a need for fitbits customers and should be beyond "under consideration" at this point 😧 it gives its users very little hope for future developments if something this in demand hasn't been entertained after all the attention!  

[Aisha88]

at least now it's under consideration

Sent from my Huawei phone

[Melly2022]

But for how many years 🤔