Inspire 3 does not track heart rate during Hike/Walk exercise with Connected GPS

[SueZinCO]

My heart rate is correctly captured when I am just wearing my Inspire 3 and not exercising, and also when I am exercising without using Connected GPS (Pilates, Outdoor Workout, etc.).  However, when I start a Hike or Walk exercise, and Connected GPS is running, my heart rate intermittently does not show on my device - it just shows dashes.  Then at the end of my workout, I can see the route in the Fitbit app but sections where my heartrate was not captured show up as "below zones."  I have cleaned the sensor on my device and restarted it and same thing. Also it happens when I'm not sweaty.  Any advice would be appreciated.

[Julia_G · Accepted solution]

Hi, @SueZinCO , are you starting your hike or walk using the Fitbit app on your phone?  If you start it using the Fitbit app on your phone, although you will get your route and distance, you will not get HR data.

Instead, please start your hike or walk using the exercise app on your Inspire 3.  From the clock screen swipe left until you come to the exercise app.  Choose your exercise by tapping and you will see the start screen.  However, do not press the start triangle.  Instead swipe up to the settings screen.  You will see the option to set a goal (Zone minutes, distance, time, calories) - you don’t need to set a goal if you don’t want to.  Keep swiping up to see the other options: heart zone notifications, GPS, and always on display.  Make sure GPS is set to “on” .

When you have finished choosing your settings options for the exercise (note these will become the default settings for that activity until you wish to change them, so you will only have to do this once) swipe down to return to the start screen and begin your walk or hike.  You should see notification that GPS is connecting with your phone.  Be sure to have your phone with you!

Once your activity has started you can tap the screen to toggle between steps, current time, distance, time (i.e. how long you have been walking), Zone minutes, pace, pace average, heart rate, and calories.  Whichever option you choose will show until you tap to change.

Be sure to tap the Finish Flag when your walk/ hike is complete.

Once you get home and sync your Fitbit you should have full information about your activity, including heart rate and distance.

You can find out more information about using Connected GPS on your Inspire 3 on this help article .

I hope this helps.  Welcome to the forums!

[SueZinCO]

Hi Julia, yes I am starting the worokout using the exercise app on my fitbit. And yes, the GPS is connected (via Connected GPS to the phone).  The device tells me that the GPS is connected.  The problem is that, intermitently in the walk/hike, the heart rate stops registering and my fitbit just displays dashes where the heart rate should be.

[Julia_G]

Hi, @SueZinCO , unfortunately in that case it sounds like your Fitbit is periodically losing contact with your heart rate.  I would recommend wearing your Fitbit a little higher on your wrist, and a little tighter to ensure that it gets the best possible connection, and do make sure the back of your Fitbit (where the LEDs shine is nice and clean).  Also it may help to set your display to always on and then have the heart rate as your selected stat to watch so that you can see if it stops tracking HR and see if there seems to be any reason.  It seems very strange that this only happens when you select walk or hike but not other activities!

[SueZinCO]

Ok thanks for the tip.  Yes, very strange.  I still think there's some connection between my heart rate not registering and Connected GPS running.