Is Watta easy to use for someone who is not tech-savvy?

Yes. The core workflow is simple: row, photograph your PM5 screen, and Watta logs everything automatically. There is no complex setup or configuration required to start tracking your sessions.

How does Watta calculate safe heart rate zones for older adults?

Watta uses the Karvonen formula, which calculates training zones based on your age and resting heart rate. This produces more accurate and personalised zones than generic percentage-of-max formulas, which is particularly important for older athletes.

What is a training streak and how does it work?

A streak counts the number of consecutive weeks in which you have logged at least one workout. Miss a week and the streak resets — but Watta gives you one automatic freeze per four-week block for holidays or illness.

Simple, effective erg tracking for every stage of life

By the Watta Team · Updated March 2026

Indoor rowing is one of the best low-impact exercises for older adults. Watta makes tracking your sessions effortless — photograph your PM5 screen and your workout is logged. Heart rate zones calibrated to your age ensure you train safely, and streaks keep you coming back to the erg week after week.

Rowing App for Seniors & Older Adults: Watta is a free, AI-powered rowing workout tracker. Snap your erg screen to capture data instantly. Get a 0-100 Effort Score combining cardiac load, work output, pacing, and economy. Track heart rate zones via the Karvonen method. Join clubs and squads to train with your crew.

The Problem

Most fitness apps are overwhelming and over-designed

Complex dashboards, tiny text, and endless settings make many fitness apps frustrating to use. Older adults want straightforward tracking without navigating layers of features they will never use.

Simple, reliable workout logging is hard to find

Entering workout data manually requires remembering numbers, switching between fields, and dealing with confusing input formats. A missed digit or wrong field can make the entire session record inaccurate.

Heart rate monitoring is important for safe training

For older athletes, staying within safe heart rate zones is not optional — it is essential. Generic apps either ignore heart rate entirely or use zones calibrated for younger populations, leading to misleading guidance.

How Watta Helps

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Snap and Log with OCR

Take one photo of your PM5 screen after rowing. Watta reads the display and logs your split, distance, time, and stroke rate automatically. No typing, no data entry, no room for error.

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Karvonen Heart Rate Zones

Watta calculates heart rate zones using the Karvonen formula, which factors in both age and resting heart rate. This provides accurate, personalised zones — especially important for athletes over 60.

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Weekly Streaks for Motivation

Watta tracks your training streak — consecutive weeks with at least one logged workout. It is a gentle, sustainable motivator that rewards consistency without demanding daily intensity.

How It Works

Snap your erg screen

Take a photo of your PM5 display after your workout. Gallery upload works too.

AI extracts your data

Watta reads every metric — time, split, distance, stroke rate, heart rate, and calories.

Get your Effort Score

A 0-100 score combining cardiac load, work output, pacing, and economy shows exactly how hard you worked.