Heart rate recorded differently when tracking exercise Charge 5

[Maudog]

Hi there,

I noticed that when I forget to actively start an exercise session, the heart rate records I check afterward are very very different from those when I do start tracking (for the same exercise type).

Typically, it reads way lower than expected, counting active minutes etc completely differently.

That doesn't sound right..?

(That's with a Charge 5).

Moderator edit: subject updated for clarity

[DavideFitbit]

Hi, welcome to the Fitbit Community forums, @Maudog. 

Thank you for sharing all these details about the inconvenience you've been having with your Charge 5 while recording your exercises.  

I've been informed that you already contacted the Customer Support team for further assistance with this and it seems they've provided you with more information. In this case, they will let you know how to proceed. 

See you around. 

[SunsetRunner]

My Charge 5 is usually accurate for HRM. I once did a breathing exercise and recorded it as a workout activity. At some point, it started to fantasize that my heartbeat was twice as fast, like 140 instead of the 70 (breathing slowly in my bed), with a distinct spike, and then several minutes of fantasy. I can easily tell if my heart beats at 70 or 140 ? 😉

I suspect the device "finetunes" the monitoring based on the activity type (or lack of activity). But I have no information or string evidence, except this anecdotal unique experience.

I hoped one could record a "mindfulness" activity without using the videos in the app.

[Maudog]

Hello Davide, thank you for your message.

I have indeed contacted support and they helped me with two out of three questions I had.

This one is the pending one which they haven't been able to address so far.

I was going to send a few examples of exercise sessions with and without active tracking and how the heart rate readings are very different.

I'll post it here soon.

------------------

Here is what it looks like.

I do very similar exercise sessions multiple times a week. Sometimes I'd forget to start the active tracking so I'd go back and back-log it for the corresponding time period. However the heart rate data, and everything that it helps to calculate, is completely different. It happens to a lesser extent with bicycle rides (same itinerary) but with a lot less consistency).

Tracked workouts:

Backlogged workouts: 

[DavideFitbit]

@Maudog @SunsetRunner Thank you for taking the time to share all your feedback and your experience with this problem. 

There are a few steps that are usually helpful with heart rate related issues: 

1. Try restarting the device again using the three pulse restart method mentioned here below, instead of the restart option found on the Charge 5 itself. 
2. Follow the instructions in this article to improve the accuracy of heart rate information
3. Check the information mentioned here about other factors that could affect your heart rate reading.

However, if you already tried these steps and you continue to experience the same problem, I do recommend that you continue the communication with the Customer Support team for further assistance with this. They will let you know how to proceed or what are the options available for you. You can click here to get connected.

See you around.