Guide
Concept2 force curve explained
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In short
The force curve is a live graph on the Concept2 PM5 showing how hard you pull through each drive, from catch to finish. A smooth, rounded hump usually means the legs, body and arms are working in sequence. Dips, early spikes or a flat top point to a break in the sequence. You can find it among the PM5's display options.
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Most rowing machine monitors show numbers. The Concept2 PM5 can also show a picture of each stroke: the force curve. It plots the force you apply through the drive, from the moment you take the catch to the moment the handle reaches your body. Learning to read it is one of the simplest ways to understand your technique without a coach. This explainer covers how to show it, what a typical shape looks like and what common patterns suggest.
How to show the force curve
On the PM5, the force curve is one of the display views you can choose during a workout. Use the display option button to cycle through the views until you see the graph. The exact button names depend on the firmware version, so update the monitor if you cannot find it; see how to update the PM5 firmware.
Many apps that connect to the PM5 can also show the force curve. ErgData shows it, and some third-party apps record it for later review. Our guide to the Concept2 Logbook and PM5 covers ErgData.
What the graph shows
The horizontal axis is the length of the drive, from the catch on the left to the finish on the right. The vertical axis is the force you apply to the handle. Each stroke draws a new curve, and the PM5 usually shows the latest one.
The area under the curve relates to the work done in that stroke. A bigger area at the same stroke rate usually means a faster split. See rowing split times and watts for how splits and watts relate.
01 →
Catch
Shins upright, arms long
02 →
Drive
Legs, then body, then arms
03 →
Finish
Legs long, lean back, hands to ribs
04 →
Recovery
Arms, body, then legs
A typical smooth curve
A smooth force curve rises steadily from the catch, reaches a rounded peak and then falls away smoothly to the finish. It looks like a single hump. This shape suggests the legs, body and arms are joining in one after another without a break.
There is no single perfect shape. Taller and shorter rowers, and different rowing styles, produce slightly different curves. The aim is a smooth, connected curve rather than a copy of someone else's.
Common patterns and what they suggest
Look for one change at a time. Row a few strokes, watch the curve, make a small adjustment, and see what changes.
| Pattern | What it often suggests | Something to try |
|---|---|---|
| Dip in the middle | A pause between legs and body or arms | Keep the handle moving as you swing back |
| Sharp spike early | Jerking the handle at the catch | Push with the legs smoothly from the catch |
| Peak very late | Arms or body doing the main work | Drive with the legs first |
| Flat or low curve | Not much force through the drive | Push harder with the legs |
| Long tail at the end | Pulling on with arms after the legs finish | Finish cleanly at the ribs |
Using the force curve in practice
Use the curve at low and moderate rates first, where you have time to watch it. Row 10 strokes looking at the screen, then 10 strokes focusing on the feel, then look again. Many rowers find the curve most useful during steady sessions and technique drills.
The damper setting changes the feel of the drive and therefore the curve. A higher damper often produces a taller, shorter curve, while a lower damper gives a longer, flatter one. Our guide to Concept2 damper settings explains drag factor. For the overall stroke sequence, see how to use a rowing machine.
Other rowers with stroke graphs
Some smart rowers and apps show similar stroke graphs, though they may draw them differently from the PM5. If detailed stroke data matters to you, check app support and monitor features in the listing. Our guides to the best smart rowing machines and best rowing machines for home compare monitors.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the force curve on the PM5? It is one of the display views. Use the display option button during a workout to reach the graph.
What should a good force curve look like? A smooth, single hump that rises from the catch and falls away to the finish without dips.
Why does my force curve have two humps? Often a pause between the leg drive and the body swing or arm pull. Keep the handle moving.
Does the damper change the force curve? Yes. Higher settings often give a taller, shorter curve; lower settings a longer, flatter one.
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