Heart Rate on Cross Trainer

[HR722]

Hello, my gym has a bunch of cross trainer machines without heart rate sensors.  If I buy the Inspire 2, can it accurately display my heart rate while pulling/pushing the arm levers ?  An internet search brought up multiple issues such as...inaccurate heart rate while moving arms, inability to keep heart rate up on the display, and one article even claimed Fitbit can only measure your heart rate at 1 minute intervals (so not continuous).  Thanks in advance.  

[Julia_G]

Hi, @HR722 , although the Fitbit will track your HR continuously, the screen of the Inspire 2 times out after a few seconds so you would not be able to keep the screen on.  Furthermore, it would be very difficult to see your wrist while you are working the arms of the cross trainer!

However, if there is a place to prop your phone, while your phone is connected to your Fitbit you will be able to see continuous HR readings in the app, even when the screen of the Fitbit is not showing.  You will also have a record, with a graph, afterwards showing your HR throughout your activity.

Heartrate readings can be interrupted in activities involving significant flexing of the wrist - this can be an issue when using rowing machines, for example.  I personally have never had a problem with getting heartrate readings from my Fitbit on the cross trainer.  I would guess this depends a little on your technique and how you hold the arm levers of the trainer.  If your wrist is fairly straight I would not think you would have a problem.

Welcome to the forums!

[HR722]

Thanks for all the info/tips Julia.  When you're on a cross trainer do you just track your heart rate from the home screen or do you go into one of the sports modes such as elliptical ?

[Julia_G]

Hi, @HR722 , to watch it dynamically (while you are doing it) you need to be on the Home Screen.  The info won’t appear on the exercise screen until you have finished your workout and synced.