Heart rate monitor not accurate during exercise

[Admroe]

Hi, so I bought my first ever Fitbit  (Charge 3) as a way to help me measure and monitor my level of activity (mainly at the gym). I need to keep my heart rate at a constant rate for fat burning.

Wore it today for the first time at the gym and it just sat at no more than 80bpm. I checked using the gym monitor and I was up at 140bpm. How can something called a Fitbit that is supposed to be about monitoring levels of activity be so inaccurate? 

PS: after about 30-40 minutes of session it suddenly shot up to 150bpm.

I’m hoping this was a one off and net time it is more accurate otherwise I think I’ll have to be emailing Fitbit directly.

Is this a common issue and if so has anyone found a way to increase accuracy?

thanks

[dcc2013]

Hi
I have a Charge 2. Pre -ordered a Charge 3 in August. Received in October. Long story short —heart rate monitor way wrong just as you experienced. I returned it. Still now using Charge 2. Hoping Fitbit fixes Charge 3. Please let me know if you have any new insight.
Dan

Moderator edit: personal info removed

[wind77]

regarding the steps, to be technically accurate, u have to wear it on ur ankle. Otherwise, any motion which is similar to swinging of arm, will trigger a step count.

As for heart rate, it is a known issue in Charge 3. If u have spent few mins reading through this thread, u would know that it is hopeless to post - Fitbit knew about it, and done nothing.

Most people have returned their Charge 3.

Good luck!

[dcc2013]

That’s probably why QVC is now selling Charge 3’s for $119. I’m an optimist. I already returned one Charge 3 because of this issue but I bought another from QVC to try again! (QVC takes returns easily and at no cost so it’s probably going back.). I’ll keep you posted.

Moderator edit: personal info removed

[HMargeson]

It sure sounds like it is a problem that Fitbit should address. My daughter has the charge 2 and my plan is to workout with hers on one wrist and my charge 3 on my other wrist and see if there is a difference between the two. If the charge 2 seems to have an accurate heart rate, I’ll return the 3 to Amazon and order a 2. I’ll let you know how it turns out!

Sent from my iPhone

[HMargeson]

Thank you! I hadn’t thought about wearing on my ankle, but I wasn’t as concerned about the steps so I didn’t really look into it. I am however, concerned about the heart rate. My daughter has a charge 2 and I plan to wear hers on one wrist and mine on the other when I work out to test it. If the charge 2 works, I’ll return the 3 and get a 2. Thanks for your response!

Sent from my iPhone

[wind77]

It is impossible get the readings from your proposed comparison acknowledged.

By wearing on both wrists, one could argue that due to distance from the heart differs, the readings might be affected.

If you wear them on single wrist, one could again argue that the optimal position for the heart rate monitor is 2-finger width from the palm, so the other tracker is not optimal, and thus subject to error.

These are common "denial reasons" provided to dis-acknowledge the issues.

[dcc2013]

Why is this issue indicated as “solved” and the solution “accepted”?  That’s not what I see in these postings.  I have had two Charge 3”s.  I returned the first one because of this issue.  A week ago, I decided to try again and purchased a second.  The second Charge 3 has the same issue.  These two screen captures demonstrate the issue.  Both are results of identical elliptical workouts.  Both are 30 minutes in duration and both were similar intensity.  Note in the first that my heart rate drops precipitously twice (see arrows).  My exercise was not interrupted — my feet were moving at the same pace throughout the 29 minutes and my “real” heart rate did not vary.  The second screen capture shows a relatively uniform heart rate throughout the 29 minutes.  Here’s the difference between the two workouts.  In the first I moved my hands from the elliptical moving handles to the stationery handles to measure my heart rate with the elliptical machine heart rate monitors in the stationery handles.  I did this twice at or about the time of the arrows.  Apparently the change in the movement of my arms (from moving to stationery) caused the Charge 3 to interrupt its heart rate monitor. Needless to say, this makes no sense.  Another possibility might be that the elliptical machine heart rate monitor, when engaged, interferes with the Charge 3?  Would appreciate some feedback on this.  I have a Charge 2 and never had an issue with its heart rate monitor.  Something is wrong with the Charge 3.

[HMargeson]

My issues are definitely not resolved. I have tried using my daughter’s charge 2 to see the difference. Overall, the charge 2 measure a more accurate heart rate during vigorous exercise, but both have trouble when I begin to get sweaty. Honestly, I am not impressed with either and think I will return the charge 3. It doesn’t track what I really wanted to know and the other stuff is just superfluous for my needs. Sorry I can’t be of help. It sounds like Fitbit needs to work on their product a bit.

Heather

Sent from my iPhone

[wind77]

@dcc2013 

An issue becomes “solved” and a solution is “accepted”, when the TS has chosen so.

This is not the doing of fitbit.

[Phishfood]

Mine seems to be completely useless.

I've tried tighten up, loosen up, move up, move down, in a zillion combinations.

Entire reason I bought was to track heart rate and the thing is useless.

[dcc2013]

Why is this issue indicated as “solved” and the solution “accepted”?  That’s not what I see in these postings.  I have had two Charge 3”s.  I returned the first one because of this issue.  A week ago, I decided to try again and purchased a second.  The second Charge 3 has the same issue.  These two screen captures demonstrate the issue.  Both are results of identical elliptical workouts.  Both are 30 minutes in duration and both were similar intensity.  Note in the first that my heart rate drops precipitously twice (see arrows).  My exercise was not interrupted — my feet were moving at the same pace throughout the 29 minutes and my “real” heart rate did not vary.  The second screen capture shows a relatively uniform heart rate throughout the 29 minutes.  Here’s the difference between the two workouts.  In the first I moved my hands from the elliptical moving handles to the stationery handles to measure my heart rate with the elliptical machine heart rate monitors in the stationery handles.  I did this twice at or about the time of the arrows.  Apparently the change in the movement of my arms (from moving to stationery) caused the Charge 3 to interrupt its heart rate monitor. Needless to say, this makes no sense.  Another possibility might be that the elliptical machine heart rate monitor, when engaged, interferes with the Charge 3?  Would appreciate some feedback on this.  I have a Charge 2 and never had an issue with its heart rate monitor.  Something is wrong with the Charge 3.

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[#13]

Why is this issue indicated as “solved” and the solution “accepted”?  That’s not what I see in these postings.  I have had two Charge 3”s.  I returned the first one because of this issue.  A week ago, I decided to try again and purchased a second.  The second Charge 3 has the same issue.  These two screen captures demonstrate the issue.  Both are results of identical elliptical workouts.  Both are 30 minutes in duration and both were similar intensity.  Note in the first that my heart rate drops precipitously twice (see arrows).  My exercise was not interrupted — my feet were moving at the same pace throughout the 29 minutes and my “real” heart rate did not vary.  The second screen capture shows a relatively uniform heart rate throughout the 29 minutes.  Here’s the difference between the two workouts.  In the first I moved my hands from the elliptical moving handles to the stationery handles to measure my heart rate with the elliptical machine heart rate monitors in the stationery handles.  I did this twice at or about the time of the arrows.  Apparently the change in the movement of my arms (from moving to stationery) caused the Charge 3 to interrupt its heart rate monitor. Needless to say, this makes no sense.  Another possibility might be that the elliptical machine heart rate monitor, when engaged, interferes with the Charge 3?  Would appreciate some feedback on this.  I have a Charge 2 and never had an issue with its heart rate monitor.  Something is wrong with the Charge 3.

[Crimmson]

Is this issue still ongoing? Monitoring my (estimated, I don't expect it to be 100% accurate) heart rate was one of the two main things I'm looking for in a tracker. I understand there was an update, but if I'm understanding the dates on these more recent posts, this is still happening to some people post-update.

I understand this issue isn't happening to everyone, but just because it isn't happening to you doesn't mean it should be disregarded. This is valuable information for me in researching a potential purchase.

[HMargeson]

Hi!

Yes, I still do not get accurate heart rate data. Not even close most of the time when I am working out. I am likely going to return mine since I have seen no improvement. I am incredibly disappointed and thought much more of Fitbit. I never looked at reviews because I thought highly of Fitbit, but they don’t even have great reviews had I looked. Sorry I don’t have a better answer...

Sent from my iPhone

[VeganDan]

@dcc2013

I've only had my C3 for two days.  While on my elliptical yesterday, I was able to valid the HR was being correct using the handles.  I went on a hike with my dogs today and as you can see in the image, my HR adjusted for elevation gains.  

[carlafoxx]

I had the Charge 2 for almost two years with no issues. Received Charge 3 for present in December. Had heart rate issues from the start of wearing Charge 3.   INACCURATE.  Especially when running, it goes from 137 to 170 to over 200. Then drops to a ridiculous low of 100 bpm, 50 minutes into run.  Fitbit replaced it after logging onto my Dashboard and seeing the disparity between the Charge 2 and 3 (even my resting HR is 6 beats higher)   My new Charge 3 is acting the same. Definitely a sensor issue. Very disappointed, need to find alternative. 

[carlafoxx]

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@Admroe wrote:

Hi, so I bought my first ever Fitbit  (Charge 3) as a way to help me measure and monitor my level of activity (mainly at the gym). I need to keep my heart rate at a constant rate for fat burning.

Wore it today for the first time at the gym and it just sat at no more than 80bpm. I checked using the gym monitor and I was up at 140bpm. How can something called a Fitbit that is supposed to be about monitoring levels of activity be so inaccurate? 

PS: after about 30-40 minutes of session it suddenly shot up to 150bpm.

I’m hoping this was a one off and net time it is more accurate otherwise I think I’ll have to be emailing Fitbit directly.

Is this a common issue and if so has anyone found a way to increase accuracy?

thanks

---

@Admroe wrote:

Hi, so I bought my first ever Fitbit  (Charge 3) as a way to help me measure and monitor my level of activity (mainly at the gym). I need to keep my heart rate at a constant rate for fat burning.

Wore it today for the first time at the gym and it just sat at no more than 80bpm. I checked using the gym monitor and I was up at 140bpm. How can something called a Fitbit that is supposed to be about monitoring levels of activity be so inaccurate? 

PS: after about 30-40 minutes of session it suddenly shot up to 150bpm.

I’m hoping this was a one off and net time it is more accurate otherwise I think I’ll have to be emailing Fitbit directly.

Is this a common issue and if so has anyone found a way to increase accuracy?

thanks

---

I had the Charge 2 for almost two years with no issues. Received Charge 3 for present in December. Had heart rate issues from the start of wearing Charge 3.   INACCURATE.  Especially when running, it goes from 137 to 170 to over 200. Then drops to a ridiculous low of 100 bpm, 50 minutes into run.  Fitbit replaced it after logging onto my Dashboard and seeing the disparity between the Charge 2 and 3 (even my resting HR is 6 beats higher)   My new Charge 3 is acting the same. Definitely a sensor issue. Very disappointed, need to find alternative. 

[carlafoxx]

I had the Charge 2 for almost two years with mo issues. Received Charge 3 for present in December. Had heart rate issues from the start of wearing Charge 3.   INACCURATE.  Especially when running, it goes from 137 to 170 to over 200. Then drops to a ridiculous low of 100 bpm, 50 minutes into run.  Fitbit replaced it after logging onto my Dashboard and seeing the disparity between the Charge 2 and 3 (even my resting HR is 6 beats higher)   My new Charge 3 is acting the same. Definitely a sensor issue. Very disappointed, need to find alternative. 

[CTofficejockey]

I have the same issuea as the above... i work enough to tell the difference between 90-95bpm and 118-130 no problem. Tried adjust the band..  had it sit on the inside of my wrist on my artery... everywhich way is all over the place. Worse when I sweat - :-[

[hosehead]

Short answer - problem solved by getting my wrist damp under the fitbit sensor and pulling the strap snug.

Long answer - I had the same problem with my Charge 3 showing lower heart rate during exercise compared to my Polar chest strap (and manual pulse check).  Polar would read ~150+ while Charge 3 is sitting around 125-135.  Polar chest strap recommends wetting the contact point to get better reading so I tried that with the Charge 3.  Took off the Charge 3, rubbed some water on my wrist under where it sits, put it back on, pulled the band snug, and voila, same reading as the Polar.  I don't know why it works, but I've been doing this for about a month now and it works like a charm every time as long as it stays damp and snug.

I wear it on my non-dominant (left) wrist, on the outside of the wrist, over some arm hair.  

[Oneyrus]

Hi

I have similar experience when doing interval training in the gym, based on heart rate. I will have 2 minutes interval - 2 minutes low bpm followed by 2 minutes high bpm, and so forth. To reach high bpm it takes me about 30 seconds to reach and the same for dropping to low bpm. This means that I will will stay on high bpm for around one and a half minute, and the same for low bpm. The curve will be flat - up -flat - down flat etc (see attached graph)

Measurement from Fitbit (when looking at the Fitbit graph) is different. It will slowly show an increase in bpm and after the 2 minutes on high bpm Fitbit will have a correct reading, same when I drop to low bpm - actual bpm and Fitbit reading will again be the same after the two minutes, see graph.

So instead of having a square graph - Fitbit will register a serrated graph.

When out jogging I don't have this problem as my heart rate will be more stable over time and will mostly show a correct hear-rate.

I have tried moving my C3 to different positions at my wrist, I have the unit closer / less close to my skin, but with the same result. I have kept my arm still for more than 10 sec etc.

Anybody found a solution?