Ability to use Chest Strap Heart Rate Monitor or foot pods

[JSy]

I like that the Charge HR and Surge have the ability to monitor heart rate via the wrist based optical monitor, but from what I have gathered, it sounds like all wrist based optical heart rate monitors have poor accuracy at high intensity workouts.  It would be great if fitbit had a product that had a wrist based heart rate monitor, but would switch to using a chest strap heart rate monitor if one was detected.  Any chance that the firmware/software on the Charge HR and/or Surge could be updated to use a bluetooth chest strap heart rate monitor? 

Moderator edit: labels and title.

[dlugosz3600]

From experience I have realized that my Charge 3 is horrendous at tracking my heart rate when running or lifting weights. I have read many forum sites about wearing the band a certain way but it never works, I’m still 30 beats per minute off according to my chest monitor. I’m hoping that FitBit can implement compatibility with other apps so we can transfer our heart rate from a chest monitor rather than using the one with the Fitbit as it is never accurate during a workout. If Fitbit can’t do that at least create a chest monitor of your own. You created a premium version of the app just to get an in depth review of our sleep so I feel if you can try and grab our money for a once free utility you can at least implement this key feature to get more accurate information on our health. I think it’s safe to say that many other users would agree with me on this and I hope something is being implemented to change this. Thank you. 

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @dlugosz3600. This is a great idea and thanks for explaining why you'd like to have an  option to transfer your heart rate data from a chest monitor to the Fitbit app with us! This feature suggestion already exists, so I’ve moved your post here. Don’t forget to post a comment and click on the thumbs-up to show your support.

[Pollywaffle]

Can you please explain how this facility already works: I want to monitor my heart rate whilst I am swimming, and I want to accurately record my heart rate whilst cycling.

All the best,

Shirley

Moderator edit: all-caps

[Tim1023]

I can't see this ever happening. Fitbit doesn't want to. It's as if they think it is a sign of weakness of their wrist-based heart rate monitoring technology. It absolutely isn't. Garmin take a much more mature approach. I switched to a Venu from my old Versa a couple of months ago. As a smart watch, it's not much better than the Versa (a pretty low bar), but as a fitness tracker, it's leagues ahead.

Two more reasons to be pessimistic about this feature ever being implemented:

- The whole Google purchase thing.

- The numerous and constant connection issues, especially the linked GPS "feature".This is ultimately the reason why I gave up on the Versa. I just couldn't bear it any more.

[tghand]

Dear moderator, please delete my posts. I don't know how to do this and no
longer know how to access this forum. I continue to get all kinds of email
about this topic from this post (which Fitbit could take as a hint) but I
have long ago left the Fitbit platform to track exercise due to it's huge
inaccuracies. Thank you.

Tony

[Bruunm]

Yes please enable heart rate straps. Otherwise it’s pointless to have something aimed and high intensity sports. It simply doesn’t work with a wrist based HR. 

[DallasDude]

I would find it extremely convenient if you guys looked into making a heart rate chest band similar to your competitors. I have started the new year with some new goals for myself and found myself at the gym. My company has built as new gym that has some amazing new machine like a new Life Fitness Treadmill. The Treadmill is very nice and it allows you to pair HR monitors to the machine. When I tried to pair my Fitbit it didn't work, after leaving the gym I started to do more research on the topic. Seems like those machine don't pair with Fitbit. After more research I found out that Fitbit are great for wearing throughout the day, but sometimes don't track heart rate 100% accurately when during vigorous high intensity workouts. This is due to the methodology of how the green light measuring capillaries  or something, don't want to go into to much detail as you guys at Fitbit already understand. 

This been the case, I would love it if you created a Heart Rate Chest Band similar to the gold standard one created by Polar. I would love to own a device like this to use while working out. Additionally, it would pair with all of these amazing machines (Life Fitness Treadmill) and work at places like Orange Theory. As I am already a big advocate of your devices and live in your environment (Fitbit Charge Hr(Don't Laugh at me it still works great!! ) and Aria scale) I would love to only have to use one platform to track my HR. What I don't want it so go buy another device and then have to track my high intensity workouts in one app and my normal everyday trend in another app. 

Let's say that you guys did end up creating a device like the one I was asking for. I would like the chest monitor data to override the Fitbit watch data while I was wearing the chest heart rate monitor. Once I was to remove the chest monitor, I would like the Fitbit to then default to the Fitbit charge HR data. I hope to eventually be seeing a device like to to dominate the Heart Rate Tracking consumer segment!!!! Thanks in advance for anything you guys at Fitbit can help look into!!!

P.S. Just tell the CEO this will basically allow all your existing customers to be potential new customer for this must have accessory!!!

[Gatorinator]

I play goalkeeper for several soccer teams and I can never wear my Fitbit during games for two reasons. One, you are not allowed to wear watches during games. And two, even if I could wear a watch, my blaze does not fit under my goalkeeper gloves and my bands are not long enough to fit higher up my arm, plus it hurts if I try. I would like to suggest that Fitbit create a chest strap band or a flatter wrist band so that it may either fit under my gloves comfortably or so that I can have it under my shirt during my games. I love my Fitbit and I've had it for years but I have never been able to use it during games. And a step count during games is something I have never been able to know. Thank you for considering my idea. 

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @DallasDude and @Gatorinator. Thanks for adding your suggestion about making a heart rate chest band for our Fitbit products. This feature suggestion already exists, so I’ve moved your post here. That way we can keep this board organized, in addition to clearly understanding which idea other members are voting for. Don’t forget to click on the thumbs-up to show your support!

[DallasDude]

I’m rather disappointed this idea has been suggested for year with no action from Fitbit. If you guys wanna run the heat rate monitoring/ step game, then do something and run it!!!! 

[LizFitbit]

Hi everyone, and thanks so much for sharing this suggestion! While we don’t currently have plans to release this feature, we always appreciate the passion and creativity that comes out of this Community. Since we know this idea is important to many of you, we have left voting open to continue tracking interest and will post another update if anything changes. To learn more about how Fitbit decides which suggestions get developed, visit our FAQs.

We're always striving to enhance Fitbit products and services, and your input is a big part of that process. We truly thank you for taking the time to share your feedback with us.

[angelius15]

I know that this is not a "new" topic, but could not help but notice that it really does not to have been completely addressed. I have the Charge 3 and, for example, I worked out yesterday for 15 min and was breathless for most of that time. My Charge 3 advised my hr was only 90 and concluded that I only burned 25 calories. NO WAY! Today, I scraped off some ice from my co-workers cars, not even out of breath and in 16 min, my Charge 3 stated that I burned far more. I have cleaned it, tried different positions and tightness and no matter what, it is hit and miss. A chest strap would tend to be far more accurate due to where it would be placed. If Fitbit is reluctant to collaborate with a company that already makes these, ie Poloris, then I would recommend that the R & D dept. consider making one. It seems to be a feature/product that most of the community has been dying for since 2014 at least. I am unsure why it has not been made yet. 

[YojanaFitbit]

Hi @angelius15, thanks for taking the time to share why you would like to see this option on Fitbit. This feature suggestion already exists, so I’ve moved your post here. While we don’t currently have plans to release this feature, we always appreciate the passion and creativity that comes out of this Community. Since we know this idea is important to many of you, we have left voting open to continue tracking interest and will post another update if anything changes. To learn more about how Fitbit decides which suggestions get developed, visit our FAQs.

I hope to see you around.

[Karla4478]

It would be very useful to have a bicep strap or a chest strap option for those of us who aren't allowed to wear things on our wrists or hands at work. 

[YojanaFitbit]

Hi @Karla4478, thanks for taking the time to share why you would like to see this option with Fitbit. This feature suggestion already exists, so I’ve moved your post here. While we don’t currently have plans to release this feature, we always appreciate the passion and creativity that comes out of this Community. Since we know this idea is important to many of you, we have left voting open to continue tracking interest and will post another update if anything changes. To learn more about how Fitbit decides which suggestions get developed, visit our FAQs.

I hope to see you around.

[Itsawayoflife5]

Can you please add options for connecting a chest strap heart rate monitor?! Unfortunately, the Fitbit product I've bought does a poor job of reading my heart rate during exercise... Tighten the watch strap, loosen it, put it low on the wrist, put it high on the wrist... None of this has worked. Maybe I should try wearing it on the underside of my wrist... Maybe that will help it read better. Actually Amy reading would be better cause I currently don't get any reading that is near accurate. I push near my maximum and it says I'm at 97 bpm? 

[YojanaFitbit]

Hi @Itsawayoflife5, nice to see you again. This feature suggestion already exists, so I’ve moved your post here. While we don’t currently have plans to release this feature, we always appreciate the passion and creativity that comes out of this Community. To learn more about how Fitbit decides which suggestions get developed, visit our FAQs.

I hope to see you around.

[Philey19]

Could fitbits be fitted with a chest strap for use when using kettle bells as I find when doing kettlebell cleans or presses the watch face or strap gets banged or caught 

[pepe_silvia]

I want to connect to my Polar H10 and Stryd foot pod (external accessories - via ANT+ or Bluetooth) when I'm tracking a fitness activity.

[YojanaFitbit]

Hi @pepe_silvia, thanks for explaining why you would like to have the option to use Chest Strap Heart Rate Monitor or foot pods with Fitbit. This feature suggestion already exists, so I’ve moved your post here. While we don’t currently have plans to release this feature, we always appreciate the passion and creativity that comes out of this Community. Since we know this idea is important to many of you, we have left voting open to continue tracking interest and will post another update if anything changes. To learn more about how Fitbit decides which suggestions get developed, visit our FAQs.

[bigman8u4lunch]

A heart rate monitor that is strapped to your chest using a band that syncs HR data with workouts. Bluetooth compatible, and ANT+.

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @bigman8u4lunch. Thanks for taking the time to explain why you would like to have a chest heart rate monitor that can sync your heart rate readings with your workouts. This idea was already requested in the Feature Suggestions board, so I’ve moved your post here. While this isn't currently planned at this moment, we have left voting open so we can keep tracking this request over time. To learn more about how Fitbit decides which suggestions get developed, visit our FAQs.

[AG2R]

The ability to accurately monitor my HR fails as soon as I start to sweat.

[YojanaFitbit]

Hi @AG2R, thanks for explaining why you would like to have the option to use chest strap to monitor heart rate. This feature suggestion already exists, so I've moved it into a similar request. While we don’t currently have plans to release this feature, we always appreciate the passion and creativity that comes out of this Community. Since we know this idea is important to many of you, we have left voting open to continue tracking interest and will post another update if anything changes. To learn more about how Fitbit decides which suggestions get developed, visit our FAQs.

I hope to see you around.

[SunsetRunner]

As the demand for an additional chest strap was first added around 2014 and nothing happened I am sorry to say, that I change to Garmin. Every provider has this possibility, but Fitbit - and the arm measurement for pulse is lousy. Maybe I come back when you finally build features the comminuty wants.