Statiionary bike tracking help

[SunnyGirl86]

Hi everyone,

Stationary biking is one of my favorite indoor non-step based activities.  I tend to white knuckle the handle bars during intensive cycling.  Charge 2 registers my pulse as way much lower than it actually is during this activity.  I know there's a major differential because I sit down on a nearby chair to rest afterward, and the pulse will shoot up then (ex. registering 89bpm while biking and 115-120 during recovery while sitting immediately afterward).  I'm also dripping in sweat during cycling, hard to talk/unable to talk, and all the features of intensive exercise.  Is there any way to make it more accurate, or is this just a fault I'll have to forgive?  I'm assuming it's wrong because I'm holding on to handle bars and therefore altering blood flow to my wrist?

Thanks,

Jess

[WavyDavey · Accepted solution]

Hi @SunnyGirl86,

Yes, I think you're onto something. Grabbing the bars tightly can affect blood flow, which can throw off the heart rate readings. I had to teach myself to let off of the "death grip" while riding.

Also, Fitbit has this article on how to wear the band to maximize heart rate accuracy. Hopefully, it will help.

[emili]

I agree with your assumption as well. I would also try wearing it a little bit higher on your wrist. If you can, try to relax your grip just a little for an interval at a time and see what the reading is at that time. If you can see an increase, you know that the grip is the problem...