Concept2 Metronome: Set Your Rowing Stroke Rhythm

For a Concept2 RowErg, set a metronome to your target SPM for one click per stroke, or three times your SPM for three clicks per stroke. At 24 SPM, those settings are 24 BPM and 72 BPM. Check the monitor to confirm your actual stroke rate.

The setting depends on how you count the clicks. Decide that first; a BPM number on its own does not tell you how often to take a stroke.

SPM, click BPM and pace measure different things

RowErg SPM counts rowing strokes per minute. Click BPM counts metronome clicks per minute. Pace is time per 500 meters. BikeErg cadence uses RPM, or revolutions per minute. Concept2's PM5 guide

Choose a stroke rate that fits the workout you are already doing. The examples below are conversions, not a recommended training range. Concept2 also explains that raising stroke rate does not necessarily raise intensity: how you apply power matters. Rowing stroke rate explained

How to set one click per stroke

1. Choose your target stroke rate and enter the same number as the metronome's BPM. For 24 SPM, enter 24 BPM.
2. Begin each drive on a click. Complete the recovery before the next click, then start the next stroke there.
3. Check the RowErg's SPM reading. If it differs from your target, check whether you are taking extra strokes between clicks or missing a click.

This pattern marks the start of each cycle without assigning clicks to the drive and recovery separately. At 24 BPM, the clicks are 2.50 seconds apart. Your metronome needs to support that low setting; check its minimum tempo before choosing this pattern.

How to count three clicks per stroke

Set the metronome to BPM = 3 × SPM. At 24 SPM, that is 72 BPM. Count "one, two, three" repeatedly, starting a new drive on each "one." If the metronome supports accents, accent every third click so the cycle start is easy to recognize.

Concept2 suggests one beat for the drive and two for recovery. Three clicks can mark that rhythm, but treat the subdivisions as a practice cue rather than exact timing you must force. PM5 stroke-rate guidance

If following the subdivisions makes you rush or pause awkwardly, return to the simpler cycle-start cue and check your stroke sequence. Adding clicks should make the count clearer.

Rowing metronome conversion chart

These values use click BPM = SPM × clicks per stroke and seconds per stroke = 60 ÷ SPM. Cycle times are rounded to two decimal places. Each row gives two ways to count the same stroke rate.

For example, 72 clicks per minute divided by three clicks per stroke gives 24 strokes per minute. It does not mean taking 72 strokes per minute.

PM5 PaceBoat and ErgData target stroke rate

PM5 PaceBoat shows a visual comparison with a target pace. Set the target for a new workout or use a previous workout's pace. Check SPM separately for rhythm. PM5 display options

ErgData's Target Stroke Rate displays a target alongside your actual rate and changes the target's color when you are above or below it. Concept2 describes it as a reminder: the workout continues if you miss the target. ErgData feature explanation

Use a separate metronome for clicks here. These instructions describe visual targets; they do not establish an audible click track across all firmware or app versions.

Frequently asked questions

What metronome BPM should I use for 24 SPM?

Use 24 BPM for one click per stroke or 72 BPM for three clicks per stroke. In either pattern, a complete stroke cycle takes 2.50 seconds.

Can my pace change while my stroke rate stays the same?

Yes. Power application can change while stroke rate stays steady, so check pace separately. Running has a similar distinction between movement rate and speed, explained in our pace, cadence and step-length guide; its running formulas do not apply to rowing.

Is a BikeErg RPM target the same as RowErg SPM?

No. RPM counts pedal revolutions; RowErg SPM counts rowing strokes. Choose the unit and movement first, then decide how many clicks to use for each cycle.