Heart Rate Question/Advice

[JonK-UK]

I’ve been kindly given a Fitbit this week by a friend who has used one for a year or so.

Started using it 3 days ago. When I walk at my normal very brisk pace my heart rate between 120

to 140 on flat ground. I noted getting to hills where I expect my Heart Rate to rise it

drops back to 98-110 while walking up them. Tested this 4 times now similar results. – I’m reasonable fit and have been for 20 years, walked around 10,000 steps 5 days a week for 10 years and Cycle and do

some Rowing too, right weight for height, resting Heart Rate 54. Tried to find an answer to this

question on Google to no avail – Any Ideas?

Thanks 

[PaulSask]

Before you give up on the HR monitor feature, try sliding the band higher (and tighter) up your wrist. Also try placing the readout on the other side of your wrist where your skin is a little thinner (it reads subcutaneous fluctuations).

I'm sure you've already double checked your heart rate manually so if the above doesn't work, it sounds like a lemon.

[SunsetRunner]

@JonK-UK I don't want to be negative but I stopped relying on the HR monitor feature of Charge 2. Too often it's wrong. Very often I see no any reading ( two dashes ). On top of that, it almost never agrees with what I see in the gym when using the exercise machines with HR monitors builtin or when I use the pulse oximeter ( the latter doesn't agree with itself when used on different fingers but that's normal 😉 ). Don't get me wrong, sometimes it does agree but it's anything but reliable. I use it as one of the sources of information whenever I need to know my heart rate but never as the only source.

[JonK-UK]

When I first put on the Fitbit Paul I did a double check on resting Heart Rate @ 54 and it was spot on, since then I have seen a few big fluctuations and lost the read out a few times too. The drop when walking up Hills however is constant - I'll try your recommendations!

Thanks for resposne!

[JonK-UK]

@SunsetRunnerThanks for the advice - I'll try strap adjustment and see if I note any difference. I've lost readings completley too on a few occasions.

Thanks again!

[SunsetRunner]

Today in the gym I gave special attention to the HR and no HR appeared several times:

But I consider it normal. Simply Fitbit HR monitor is a toy. Also, the difference between Fitbit reading ( when they appear ) and the machine is  sometimes 40bpm! Fitbit shows always lower numbers.

[emili]

@JonK-UK I think the only way you are going to know for certain is to measure your HR a different way while doing the same activity. I know counting your pulse while walking might be odd or not very easy, but that will be the only way you will know. Look at what your tracker says- and then count it out yourself. There will be a marginal difference, but if you come within 10 beats or so- you know that it is pretty accurate.