Rowing machine games and apps compared
ErgData logs your workouts. EXR is a virtual rowing platform with many courses and live races. BLADES is a game for the PM5, free in the beta, built around pieces, a career and leagues against friends. Many people use more than one.
At a glance
| ErgData | EXR | BLADES | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | Concept2’s own free logging app | Virtual rowing worlds and live racing | A 3D river game for the PM5: races, career, leagues |
| Best for | Recording workouts to your Logbook | Scenery, variety, racing strangers | Rowing the pieces you know, and playing with friends |
| Hardware | Concept2 monitors | Concept2 and others (see their site) | Concept2 PM5 |
| Cost | Free | See their site | Free during the beta |
This is a summary from how each describes itself. Check their sites for current features and prices, and use whichever suits how you train. BLADES isn’t affiliated with Concept2, EXR or ErgData.
Why BLADES is different
- The pieces: 2k, 5k, 6k, 4 × 1,000 m, 30 at 20.
- A career with seasons and a crew, and leagues against friends.
- A boat that follows your stroke, with a Concept2 Logbook sync.
It runs in Chrome or Edge on a laptop or Android; the iPhone app is coming soon. See the guide.
Try BLADESTraining instead? Winter erg plan · Holiday Challenge calculator.
BLADES isn’t affiliated with Concept2. Paces and zones are rules of thumb; train to how you recover, and check with a doctor before hard training if you’re unsure.