HR function not working while sweaty

[fitnessbetch]

While using the stairclimber or doing any cardio, I tend to get pretty sweaty. As a result of this, my fitbit is unable to track my heart rate. This is extremely annoying because my exercise is not being tracked especially on the stairclimber due to stagnant arm movement. I've tried to fix the issue by drying off my wrist and the fitbit during my workout, but this only works for about a few seconds and then it's sweaty again. 

[NellyG]

This is a problem with light based heart rate monitors - sweat disrupts the light reflection and the reading is wrong. The only real alternative is a chest strap heart rate monitor.  But I have read that some people get a good result from wearing a sweat band just above the tracker so sweat cant run down the arm to it. Worth a try!

[KaitB]

I have the same problem. Every time I do an intense workout and my arms are sweaty, my heart rate monitor stops recording. I wear it as instructed (higher on my wrist, etc.), but it's annoying that the tracking is intermittent at best, and requires me to towel dry my arm and device for it to work temporarily. I had fewer problems with the original Charge HR, and (after reading posts and multiple forums) am considering returning the device and purchasing a waterproof tracker from another company. 

[NellyG]

@KaitB waterproof trackers are great, but be aware that being waterproof does not mean the HR function is accurate under water. The same light through water problem (whatever the brand). I have a Fitbit Ionic and love it, but it cant do accurate heart rate when swimming.

Another work around I have heard is to use anti perspirant under the watch along with the sweat band above. 

[MetalMastodon]

Something I have noticed with this device is that while sweat may cause the heart rate to stop being displayed on the screen, it usually is still being recorded and will appear on your workout anyway. Also I found that putting it about a click looser than it needs to be to fit on my wrist and then sliding it up to where it gets tight seems to keep it in a position where less sweat interference occurs. As opposed to simply slapping it on exactly where you want it and tightening it there. Another thing to consider is that the alta hr seems to adapt to where you wear it over time, getting better and better at battling through the sweat. No matter what you'll have some "outages" on the HR monitor during workouts, but it is usually a non-issue.... as most of us have learned to not even worry when we notice it is reading null. 9 out of 10 times after a moment or so it will be back displaying your HR again. And as I mentioned just because the display on the screen shows it not detecting doesn't necessarily mean your heart rate isn't still being recorded. 

[KaitB]

I've noticed that my heart rate still records in the app, but not accurately, which is what is disconcerting. Essentially, those times when heart rate doesn't appear to record on the watch, the app will suggest my heart rate has dropped when I know it's remained the same or has increased (e.g., when the workout intensifies). I've been using it for months and am frustrated that it isn't functioning for the main purpose I purchased it for. I'll give the anti-perspirant a shot and see if it helps.

[KaitB]

Update: anti-perspirant didn’t work. Within 15 minutes of my intense hour long class, the HR feed showed —, and the app indicated I only worked out for 20 minutes. I think it’s time for a new HR monitor/fitness device. This is totally fine for walks and other low-intensity workouts where the sensor isn’t impeded by sweat, but I wouldn’t recommend it for anyone who is looking to do more than that. I’m super bummed since I’ve been a long time user and advocate, but at this point, I’d prefer the company focus on better technology and a more reliable product than app features, accessories, and extending the brand. 

[MetalMastodon]

Have you tried washing the area you wear the device with a non-soap cleaner before heavy workouts? It's not just sweat that can affect it... but buildup of oils and whatnot as well. I did a 5k run recently and it only missed 3 minutes worth of heart rate. But I also usually wash the area before a heavy workout. If you use a soap-based cleaner though, that will simply add layers that can interfere... not remove them.

I am not a big fan of sweat bands (honestly even just wearing the device is more than I like to have around my wrist) but I've seen a lot of people say that if you cut a hole in a sweat band for the display portion of the device and wear it over it it helps a lot with sweat interference. 

Also, while this would not solve the core issue... I have recently made a feature suggestion to help smooth over the negative effects of HR detection loss. Go vote for it if you like the idea : https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Feature-Suggestions/HR-Detection-Loss-Smoothing/idi-p/2749881#M17066...

[KaitB]

Yep, I clean it regularly. I appreciate the suggestions, but I don’t want to buy/wear something additional to ensure/hope my device works as it should. Just purchased a Wahoo TICKR HR monitor, should be more reliable and help me achieve my fitness goals. Best of luck to everyone struggling with this issue!

[KaitB]

Final update! I've been wearing the Wahoo TICKR HR Monitor and have found that my fitbit was grossly underestimating my calories burned during a workout--I'm talking nearly 300 calories. This could be why I've been having a hard time getting to my fitness goal--not eating enough based on the calorie count provided to me by my fitbit. 

Because I exercise regularly and focus on caloric intake when setting my goals, I don't recommend this device. It functioned well to get me motivated when I wanted to get back into shape, but now that I'm there and looking for more precision (and the ability to shave off only a few more pounds), I think it's time to put it away. For those of you who are looking to accurately measure HR/calories, I highly recommend Wahoo. 

[cjcab305]

Great write up and essentially describes what has annoyingly been happening for years with my Charge 2 and now Chg3 during workouts and sweat kicks in! Would be really nice to see when you're in your target HR zone, and not after the fact in the app...

Really wish they'd fix this once and for all!

[Yoonibooni]

Thin Wristband! 

The “sweat” situation is so frustrating. You can either wear long sleeves T shirt and wear Fitbit band over the sleeve or fashion a thin wristband under the Fitbit band. I just use old cotton blend t-shirt to create a wristband (cut the fabric and saw it to fit your wrist size) just big enough to cover area. If DYI sewing is not your thing, I would assume cutting off the ankle area is a small sock would do too. Problem solved! 

[whoaleemshee]

I have found this a problem when riding my bike on a stationary trainer, but not when running, whether outside or on a treadmill. I've tried using a towel to keep down the sweat and different positions of the armband. It looks like if I manually enter the time of the ride after the workout, the data is collected and maps my heartrate to the workout time, but it would be nice if it autonomously posted to the app as my running workouts do. That is the performance I expected when I purchased this device. 

[JoBelf]

Mine just stops altogether. So maddening after a 45 min HIT class. Will try the sweatband above. Just replaced this charge 3 after the last one died after 5 months. We are gonna sweat so I’d say that is an inherent fault in the design. Rubbish. 

[Ionicdestroyer]

I have the same problem with sweat. My Ionic FitBit just goes dark during my bicycle rides! I am sure it’s because I sweat significantly. I’ve had 2 different Ionic fit bits and it happens to both! Looking for suggestions of a different brand tracer that can handle long sweaty work outs!

[marzia_r]

May I ask what you found to be a good alternative? I'm on my second one and having the same problem, kinda defeats the purpose for me...

[Mur6642]

Same thing is happening to me and my Fitbit charge 4 is BRAND NEW! I’ve been working my tail off and it will register a light or moderate workout and give me very low zone points when I know my heart rate is way higher than it is registering. I figured it was from sweat. It sucks really bad because the workouts should register as cardio. Also, it affects every other aspect of the Fitbit, except maybe steps. 

[Rcarr01]

I have the same issue and it’s so frustrating. Because it will then take my heartbeat from cardio to almost resting and it does not come back until I dry it (causing me to slow down!) and it takes minutes to get back right. From 2 to 10 min. Why am

inpaying so much money to use a product to track these things and it doesn’t! I’m on my second versa the first broke after only 14 months just out of warranty and this one won’t track my heartbeat correctly.  

[sasquatch34]

The sock thing didn't work for me, probably the sock I used was too think.
But a folded tissue wrapping around my wrist underneath the sensor does the trick. I compared the HR from my Polar chest strap to the fitbit (sense) and they were comparable; only a 2 or 3 beat difference rather than the usual 40 or 50. also, it's disposable, so no extra laundry. 

If the sweat problem plagues you, I'd suggest giving this a try.  

[AdrienneEmma]

Hello, I have the same issue with my Versa 3. I have to dry it off every few minutes, which is not a solution as Fitbit decides are supposed the be designed for working out