Incorrect heart rate monitoring while exercising indoors Charge 5

[dmfl]

It seems to be a consistent problem. I exercise on elliptical for 45 min checking heart rate using elliptical handles. My expertise is pretty much constant throughout 45 min and the heart rate stays above 120. Fitbit periodically shows heart rate dropping below 100 sometimes to 76 or 80 bpms which cannot be correct. As the result around 50% of the entire exercise logs below fat burning zone. I wonder is it because of sweating or is it a connectivity issue?

Moderator edit: subject updated for clarity

[DavideFitbit]

Hi, thank you for sharing this information about the inconvenience you've been experiencing with your Charge 5, @dmfl.  

Fitbit uses green LEDS because they maximize the signal detected from the capillaries near the surface of the skin. The optical heart-rate sensor also uses infrared light to determine when the device is on your wrist to improve the accuracy of your heart-rate data, so sweating  shouldn't be a problem unless it's interfering with the signal somehow. 

Before considering other options, I recommend that you try restarting the device using the three pulse restart method mentioned here below, instead of the restart option found on the Charge 5 itself: 

1. Connect your device to the charging cable. For instructions, see How do I charge my Fitbit device?
2. Press the button located on the flat end of the charger 3 times, pausing for 1 second between presses. Then wait 10 seconds or until the Fitbit logo appears.

In addition, please follow the instructions in this article to improve the accuracy of heart rate information and check the information mentioned here about other factors that could affect your heart rate reading, this has been useful to other users who have experienced something similar. 

Hope this helps, I'll be around. 

[Stephp94]

This has happened to me several times and I’ve had the device for 2 weeks so I am not sure how restarting it will help, it is brand new so should be working! I see this is a known problem on the new Sense as well. I will play with the watch positioning in my next workouts but other than that I will be disappointed if this keeps happening

[dmfl]

@DavideFitbit Tried the suggestions of tightening up the armband and it seemed to be working. I tightened it 2 extra notches just for the exercise time and the heart rate stayed where it was supposed to, no more drops so far.

Thanks,

[DavideFitbit]

@Stephp94 Thank you for your reply and for confirming that you already tried the steps suggested. 

The restart should to refresh the performance and prevent this from happening, but in case that you experience this behavior again, I would recommend that you get in touch with the Customer Support team for further assistance with this. The best way to get help for this problem is to chat with us online or give us a call. Click here to get connected. 

@dmfl That's great news, thank you for sharing this update! 

See you around.