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HR reading inaccurate / low (elliptical / cross trainer)

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‎09-30-2020 02:57

‎09-30-2020 02:57

just got and started using my Inspire HR2 and having real trouble getting it to record an accurate heart rate during exercise... particularly when doing high intensity but consistent elliptical training.

 

I did a test today, Fitbit vs a Wahoo chest strap:

 

Cheat strap show a quick jump to 150 relatively steady climb to 175 average for 45 mins.

 

The Fitbit registered somewhere around 110 max and suggested the vast majority of the activity was outside of my heart rate zones(!)

 

the Machines inbuilt hand sensors correlated very closely to the chest strap reading.

 

anyone have any suggestions how to make the Fitbit actually read my HR accurately during exercise? I had an old Alta HR that did this no trouble.

 

currently very disappointed in my Inspire 2 and if I can’t get this working it will be going back.

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‎10-01-2020 15:55

‎10-01-2020 15:55

@SteveYork It's nice to see you in the Fitbit Community! Thank you for getting in touch about this. 

 

I appreciate the detailed information shared about what you're experiencing. I see where your disappointment is coming from. 

 

I would you to follow these tips to improve the accuracy of your heart-rate reading: 

 

  • Wear your Fitbit device on top of your wrist, and make sure the back of the device is in contact with your skin.
  • When you’re not exercising, wear your device a finger’s width above your wrist bone.

Atlas_Vulcan Watch Placement 1.jpgDuring exercise, wear your device a bit tighter and higher for an improved fit. The band should be snug but not constricting (a tight band restricts blood flow, potentially affecting the heart-rate signal). Many exercises such as bike riding or weight lifting cause you to bend your wrist frequently, which could interfere with the heart-rate signal if the watch is lower on your wrist.

Atlas_Vulcan Watch Placement 2.jpg

 

Let me know how the troubleshooting goes. I'll be around if you have any additional questions. 

Want to get more active? Visit Get Moving in the Lifestyle Discussion Forum.


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‎10-01-2022 09:25

‎10-01-2022 09:25

Here's the problem. Your Fitbit uses pulses of light to measure changes in capillary volume, called photoplethysmography. The problem is those changes can be difficult to separate from just movement of your arm. When you run, it's easier to subtract the signal of your movement from the changes in your capillaries. But on an elliptical, your movement is very very regular and much harder to discern from your heart beat. Sadly there's no fix without better algorithms that can do this complex calculation more accurately

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