Fitbit HR tracker doesn't go over 160

[jessiburk]

I've had my tracker since release, but for the last 2 months I have noticed when I look down at my watch my heart rate shows a max of 155-160BPM even when doing sprints. It NEVER goes over even if my heart is pounding out of my chest.

If I use the treadmill HR monitor (not 100% accurate, I know) it pegs me at 170-180bpm.

The strange thing, is an hour after or so, if I update my fitbit app it will show my heart rate at 170-180 on the graph.

Anybody else having this issue?? I want to be able to look down at my watch during a workout to see what my heart rate is doing... not wait until my app updates! I don't carry my phone with me at the gym.. 

thanks!

[Julia_G]

@jessiburk , it is true that there is sometimes a delay in the Fitbit registering your heartrate, so that when yu look at it it may not shw exactly what you are feeling at the moment, but will catch up in another minute or two.  I noticed exactly this when I was at the gym the other day.  I believe that this is common with wrist based trackers — they will never be quite as responsive as a chest strap, but I do think they are a lot more accurate than the hand hold trackers on treadmills etc...

I appreciate that this can be a little frustrating, but it sounds like you are pretty experienced, and, as I am sure you know, the best guage is how you feel at the moment.  If you know how you feel, you can see what the Fitbit says and then do a quick re-calculate.

For example, yesterday in the gym I was dong a mixed workout (weights combined with

a little bit of aerobic).  As I completed my exercise I checked my Inspire HR and was surprised to see only 110 (I’m 65, so my numbers are never going to be super high...).  I said to my friend “Wow, Fitbit says 110, but it feels a lot more like 120 to me...’. A moment later I looked down and saw the Inspire HR said 120 — just what I thought!

Obviously it’s not perfect to take a minute or so to catch up, when you are already warming down, but for me the comfort and convenience of wearing a wrist tracker over a chest strap far outweighs the disadvantages of the delay. 

Just trust your body at the time, but when you are planning your fitness program the app results, with the somewhat more accurate info will help you to know your body better and to give you insights in how to train better.

Well, that would be my advice, anyway.  Good luck with your running!  It sounds like you are doing great.  Are you training for a special run (5k, 10k, half or full marathon?), or just trying to stay fit?  I ran the London Marathon in 2001.  I so much wish Fitbit had been around then.  It really would have helped so much with my training!

Welcome to the forums!

edited to add: if you feel like the performance of your Fitbit isn’t quite what it was at the start, it is always worth giving it a restart.  A restart can solve many issues as it shuts down any background activities that could slow down, or interfere with, optimum operation of your device.  Sometimes you need to try the restart procedure a few times, as a single restart does not always work.

[jessiburk]

Thanks for the long and detailed response! I would agree on most parts, I do understand there would be a delay, etc., but my issue is more that it doesn't seem to matter how long I look at my tracker - during my workout, immediately after, or 5 minutes after, I never see it go over 160. Just seemed weird to me, but maybe I just have very bad luck with checking my HR. Sometimes I stare at it for 2-3 minutes and it stays in the 160 range and begins to drop as my heart rate slows down.

I am not training for anything in particular - just trying to get back into good shape and keep my heart healthy. Super awesome you are 65 and still heading out to the gym, it's inspiring. Thanks for sharing!