Loses heart rate when exercise intensity increases

[Fizgigtiznalkie]

Anyone have a fix for when your workout gets intense and the fitbit either completely loses or gets your heart rate completely wrong?  It's happened a lot, like 20+ minutes into a workout, if I sprint or get above 160ish heart rate, I either get the -- or it starts reading low, like 80s. 

Support just links to the FAQ https://help.fitbit.com/articles/en_US/Help_article/1582

I already tried that stuff before I contacted them:  Things I have tried:

- wearing it tighter

- wearing it looser

- moving it up my arm

- flipping it around to face the inside of my wrist

- wiping my arm off constantly in case it was the sweat

- holding it in place in case movement caused the issues

- rebooting it 3 times

I'm really disappointed this thing doesn't work properly. I use a garmin bike computer with a chest strap and it's never had these issues.  I just got it for Xmas and it's brand new.

[HeydyF]

Welcome aboard @Fizgigtiznalkie! I appreciate you have taken the time to fix your Charge 2 heart rate monitor. Since the issue persists, I have escalated your case with our Support team so they can further assist you. 

Let me know how it goes! 

[Fizgigtiznalkie · Accepted solution]

Basically these things stop working if you sweat a lot during a workout.

[HeydyF]

I hope you are doin' fine @Fizgigtiznalkie! Fitbit devices have designed to stand the sweatiest workouts, the thing is that, you have to constantly clean the heart rate monitor on your device so it gives you accurate readings. I hope that our Support team has helped you out with this. 

Have a nice day! 

[Fizgigtiznalkie]

Cleaning as you are working out is impractical, I always keep it clean afterwards 

[Clarbs74]

I have this issue you also, it happens daily when I’m walking the dog or doing exercise classes and it’s so frustrating as it’s not easy to keep wiping it when you’re in the middle of exercising and never gives a true calorie count.

[HeydyF]

Welcome to the Community, @Clarbs74! Are you correctly wearing your Charge 2 specially when you are exercising? I mean, this could be the reason why it won't read your heart rate all the time. In addition, I would suggest you to restart your Charge 2. Just follow these instructions. 

Let me know how it goes! 

[Fizgigtiznalkie]

never mind, email made it seem like this reply was to me.

[HeydyF]

No problem @Fizgigtiznalkie! If you have further questions or concerns, let me know. 

I'll be around!