Heart rate and swimming

[Jocelynroberts]

I’ve just recieved my Versa and love it. Question does anyone know why when swimming it doesn’t track heart rate? I really want that feature

[AlessFitbit · Accepted solution]

Hi! @Jocelynroberts  A huge welcome to the Fitbit Community and the Versa Fam. 

The optical sensor does not record data when the device is in swim mode because refractions from the water can impact the heart rate reading. Hope this helps! I'll see you around the Versa board. 

[NellyG]

@Jocelynroberts I have an Ionic. When I let Smart track track my swimming I DO get a heart rate graph, when I use workout mode I dont. I have looked at the HR recordings when swimming and it is not at all accurate - it is much higher than it should be.  I know I work hard, but not THAT hard. So I think having the HR on when swimming will not give an accurate recording as @AlessFitbit says.

[SomeGuyYouKnow]

Hi NellyG

When you talk about SmartTrack, is this where you just start swimming and your device works out you are exercising?

I was disappointed today when using my new Versa that I had forgotten to use the SmartTrack and went to record the swim session and therefore didn't get a heart rate graph. Even worse, the device only thought I had done 300 yards when I had actually done 1600m!

Previously I have used the SmartTrack feature and got a graph that looked pretty sensible. I had also checked the BPM shown on the Versa and it matched what I manually read using the pool clock. So will have to remember to just use the SmartTrack feature in future! 

g 

[pgnehm]

That IS disappointing... Other trackers manage to do that such as the Samsung Gear Fit2 Pro track heart rate just fine and also, they have the Speedo ON app, which is excellent... 

[Pete-Fl]

Agree, it is disappointing. I have the ionic and it appears to track bpm ok when swimming.  I got my wife the Versa 2 days ago and she noticed bpm was not recorded during the swim.

[datalore]

Optical heart rate sensors and water don't mix well. The only way to get an accurate hear rate in water is to use a chest strap; which fitbit doesn't allow. The lack of heart rate under water is more a limit of present technology than fitbit's doing. I would love to see fitbit come out with a branded chest strap for us swimmers. 

[Richie01]

It really annoys me when Fit bit says the versa doesnt monitor heart rate when swimming. It has generally monitored my heart rate well whilst swimming but I always tighten the wrist strap to ensure good contact with my skin. Instead of owning up the fact that they have removed the heart rate feature in a recent update they just tell you that it was never intended. Well, I would rather have the choice to use it or ignore it, can I have it back please

[SomeGuyYouKnow]

Where did they say this about swimming heart rate? This news one reason for me to get the versa, and like you I found it very accurate. And like you I am very annoyed (to say nothing of confused, until insane your post) to see it had disappeared

[SomeGuyYouKnow]

I recently bought a polar h10 to check the accuracy of the versa, and found the chest strap less good in maintaining contact with my skin than the wrist strap of the versa!

[Richie01]

Hi, I suggest you swim in work out mode to detect heart rate. It's accurate. You just don't get the lengths swam

[Margot1980]

I think it should be a feature people can choose whether they want it on or not. One thing I love about my Fitbit is that I CAN monitor my heart rate and I've always wanted to know how hard I'm actually working with swimming. 

Please make this an active feature to the Versa and users and decide for themselves if it's accurate or not. 

[-_CapriGem_-]

After the last update heart rate logging while swimming (in Swimming autorecognising mode) has disappeared 😞

Heart rate tracking was very precise, if whrist strap was tight - I spent a lot of time, controlling this and comparing with manually measured results! I want this bug (suppose it was a bug) BACK! Please, developers, give us at least opportunity to turn it on/off! I swim 2 - 2,5 km without brakes with different programs and really need to know how good or how bad I was at certain exercise to correct my next training.

I love my Ionic from the first look, dont make me buy Garmin Forerunner with chest stripe!

[JunoJack]

I just got the Versa as a gift and was disappointed that the heart rate feature did not appear during swim.  I had an old Pebble that did a good job of measuring heart rate.  Don't understand why Fitbit can't do it.

[Fatkidinthepool]

Why do they keep disabling features and functionality? It's basically an overpriced smart watch that's not that smart. 

[Craigh77rock]

Unfortunately Fitbit doesnt have enough respect for swimmers to make the swimming features more functional. Why dont they a chest heart rate monitor? Most of their competitors have this now. This will force me to move to Garmin even though they are more expensive. May be a case of getting what you for?

[-_CapriGem_-]

I*ve got Garmin Swim-2 now with wrist pulse sensor ON during swimming and use it as main fitness device. Sorry, Fitbit, yousve lost this game..😕

[Lafferty3]

I Purchased the versa 2 specifically so I could track my heart rate while swimming. Was thrilled that I could use my Fitbit while swimming, but it only appears to be a timer. That is useless. Very disappointed. Was the main reason I purchased the versa 2. Waste of money. Wish I could return it.

[PatrickBee]

Dear all

Tagging this answer as being the best is simply not honest guys!!

I was a Pebble fan, get a special offer to get the Vera on the price when 1st model get our. I was convinced by... the Heart rate measurement while swimming and it worked so nice for many month until 'they' decided to remove this UVP feature that made me buy this watch despite the high price versus competition.

An update after April 9th and...the heart rate measurement has gone for the swimmers 😞

I contacted the support, they said "oh no it was never possible" then they went into my performance logging and saw that it worked for months! I did check with a professional material and the data were quite correct. So why removing it?? They concluded that my versa had an issue and they replaced it  by a new one... Same symptom, it is just a matter of firmware... Not hardware. Be sure that the more they update the watch, each time the more unstable it becomes! Don't buy it, there are plenty on the market doing much better, lasting longer and cheaper... Even  if Google bought this company, I am not sure I ll buy another one one day...:(

A very disappointed swimmer-geek

[Squigg]

Can you just make it know that the HR may be inaccurate and let the user decide whether they wish to turn the feature on?