Connecting Garmin Devices to the PM5

Garmin offers popular training electronics such as heart rate monitors and watches that help athletes measure and analyze their training. If you own a Garmin device or log your workouts with Garmin Connect, here are some of the ways that Concept2 and Garmin products work together.

Heart Rate Monitoring

Garmin HRM-Dual Heart Rate Transmitter

Concept2 sells the Garmin HRM-Dual Heart Rate Transmitter, which is a popular chest strap for heart rate monitoring. This chest strap connects wirelessly via Bluetooth or ANT+ to PM4 and PM5 monitors.

Garmin Watches

Many Garmin watches can broadcast heart rate to the PM5. (You will want to check your specific model to see if and how the watch can broadcast to another device.) We recommend chest straps over watches for reliable heart rate monitoring; wrist motion during rowing or skiing can make accuracy difficult.

Garmin Connect

Garmin Connect is a popular logging platform that creates an online community for Garmin users. We recommend choosing one of these five methods of recording data and sharing workout data to avoid duplications.

"Row Indoor"

Many Garmin watches include a "Row Indoor" option under activity options. "Row Indoor" will not connect to the PM5 monitor. It will provide basic stroke rate and time data. If you prefer to capture more complete data, we recommend using ErgData.

ErgData

The easiest way to ensure your workouts on the Concept2 RowErgs, SkiErg or BikeErg are shared on Garmin Connect is through the Concept2 Online Logbook. When you include your workouts in the Concept2 Online Logbook, your meters will continue to count towards challenges and motivational programs such as our Million Meter Club. In the Concept2 Online Logbook, you can send logbook workouts over to Garmin Connect by connecting your accounts. This option is located under your Concept2 Logbook profile under Applications.

We recommend using ErgData on a smartphone to capture your workout data. ErgData will provide rich data that can be shared across platforms. If you set up the ErgData app to record your workout, you can sync the data to the Concept2 Online Logbook. Then, all these results will also be sent over the Garmin Connect. All with one button push! (Note: ErgData is not able to pull results out of the PM Memory. You’ll want to be sure to be connected before the workout starts.)

Stroke-by-stroke data is needed when sharing data to Garmin Connect; we recommend using ErgData to submit your complete workout data to the Concept2 Online Logbook. (Manually entered results will not share with Garmin Connect.) Workouts shared via the Concept2 Online Logbook are not included in Garmin’s Training Status.

ANT+ for the BikeErg

The PM5 can be set up as a power sensor on your Garmin Watch for cycling. On the PM5, these options can be found under “CONNECT” on the Main Menu. You can connect via ANT+ PWR and ANT+ SPD/CAD for power, speed and cadence data.(You can select both options on the Connect screen.) To do this, add the PM5 as a new sensor on your watch. You’ll need to reference Garmin support for your exact model and instructions. If your Garmin watch requires a Wheel Size under the Sensor settings, you can manually adjust the size to 2000mm.

Once connected with ANT+, you can record data using the “Bike Indoor” option that is available on some Garmin watches. Workouts that use "Bike Indoor" in this way will be included in Garmin’s Training Status, but do not update to the Concept2 Online Logbook.

ErgIQ for the RowErg or SkiErg

There is a plug-in that allows you to connect to Garmin watches: ErgIQ. This widget is available in the ConnectIQ Store and allows you to connect directly from your watch to the PM5 for rowing or skiing. ErgIQ can provide you with data such as heart rate, pace (also available in Watts and Calories/hour), strokes per minute, time and distance. (ErgIQ will connect in the app with ANT+ FE-C.) At this time, workouts recorded with ErgIQ do not calculate into Garmin’s Training Status. Workouts recorded with ErgIQ will not update to the Concept2 Online Logbook.

ANT+ FE-C for the RowErg

On some newer Garmin watches (such as the the Fenix 6), you can add the PM5 as a "fitness equipment (FE)" sensor. This allows you to use the "Row Indoor" activity with complete workout data. The PM5 can connect under Settings within "Row Indoor". It will connect with ANT+ FE-C as a new "Sensors & Accessories". You’ll need to reference Garmin support for your exact model and instructions. We recommend making sure your Garmin watch firmware is up to date. Workouts recorded with ANT+ FE-C will be included in Garmin’s Training Status but will not update to the Concept2 Online Logbook.