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.

[Tinessael]

Yeah, also something I would like! A new watch like Surge (GPS, waterresistant) but with option of changing the wristband to a chest strap or to a fancy strap like Blaze!

[Dando]

This is desperately needed - I really like my FitBit, but it simply doesn't have the accuracy I need for the exercise I do. I've worn it in conjunction with a chest strap HRM and the FitBit is completely unworkable with resistance training activities as the HRM function is so inaccurate. When I run, I usually use effort (or HR) governed excercise and the FitBit is just not accurate enough for this either. While it is much more accurate when running, it inexplicably fluctuates and makes it very difficult to use to govern my effort. The ability to add the chest strap would actually make it a functional HRM watch, however right now I am looking for a new and better product as FitBit just doesn't cut it for me.

[repsthengag]

Look into the Garmin HRM-Swim and HRM-Tri underwater heart rate monitors.

[Adrian-J]

The HR monitor on my Surge seems ok for running, but it is disastrous for a kettelbell workout. Mine reads less than 100 when my HR is well over 160 actually during my kettlebell workout.

+1 for a chest strap add-on.

[dennisd3miller]

I would like to see this functionality as well. Fitbit already switches automatically between trackers (https://help.fitbit.com/articles/en_US/Help_article/1715), so it shouldn't be too difficult to incorporate a chest strap into the family.

The key to success here would be for the wrist-based device to be able to display the chest strap data; however, if I could just merge the data back together later, it would still be worth the cost to me (IMO).

There are 3 reasons why the chest strap option is valuable to me: 1) Accuracy during high intensity workouts (as documented very well in previous posts), 2) Ability to pair with treadmills, stationary bikes, stair machines etc., in order to take advantage of their interval and automatic modes. 3) Ability to suplement a Fitbit One with heart rate information so that I do not have to wear the watch everyday. Believe it or not, I would really prefer to wear my expensive gold watch most of the time but I don't want to give up all day tracking just yet (maybe I'm just a tech junkie, but I do feel better motivated when I have the information on my iPhone).

[GloryMacca]

I know people have asked for a chest strap before that syncs with your watch/app, but their reason is usually because they think the heart rate monitor on the watch is not accurate enough. My problem is that I play soccer, and you're not allowed to wear the Fitbit when you play. So I have no way of accurately recording the steps/heart rate/calories for 90 minutes of high intensity exercise (110 if you count the warm up). This really bugs me because I miss out on all the challenges I'm in as well. Please make a chest strap that you can wear when you can't wear your Fitbit, that links to your account!!

[SunsetRunner]

Fab

[Rich_Laue]

Does the Garmin sync to fitbit? If not i don't see it as a valid optional 

[Rich_Laue]

Is this a duplicate of https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Feature-Requests/Add-ability-to-use-either-wrist-based-or-chest-stra...

[Longhorn]

I love this idea!!  I have to take the Charge HR off during some of my fitness class to be able to wear a wrist wrap to lift weight and such.  So the classes don't really show a correct heart rate.

[ShannonMot]

I have a Wahoo TICKR X and am looking for a suitable tracker to pair it with.  The TICKR X has a ton of features, but I want to see it on my wrist when needed.  I tried the Garmin Forerunner 735xt and the Garmin Vivoactive HR and the screen was way to dim for me to bother with so I returned them.  I love the Fitbit simplicity and dashboard.  I just wish there was a compatible devise.  ;-(  Until then I will probably just buy an iPhone 5s (my 6s Plus is too big) and get a wrist mount or a running bag with a window.

Please consider loosening up a devise, Fitbit.  

[ValerieAnne]

I agree with the others, I'd love the ability to pair with a chest strap. There are a ton on the market and the Fitbit already has BT capibility, so you'd think it'd be an easy change/addition.

[noirprncess]

While I hold out hope that Fitbit will actually listen to our requests for a Bluetooth chest strap software modification, I've decided to piecemeal a system together using UA Record software that will use data from Fitbit, a Bluetooth chest strap and myfitnesspal. It's sad that this is about the only way to get what we request.

[noirprncess]

I do hot yoga so using a blaze for HR isn't possible (it's sensitive to heat and water). It would really be nice if they updated the software to allow syncing with a Bluetooth HR chest strap.

[Tamsyn]

 I totally agree. Choice of wrist or chest strap is essential update. Completely useless during intense exercise. Love everything else this would make it perfect.

[markp88]

I agree with this!  

I do High Intensity Interval Training workouts, and I am waiting for my new Charge 2 to arrive!! I am so excited to use the interval mode and use the timer on that to help me stay set on my times...the issue I have had with my Charge HR and like others have reported, the HR detection on the wrist doesnt get the most accurate results.  

I love my Fitbit and do not want to switch brands to anything else, but I do not understand after years of asking why Fitbit wont come up with a HR Chest Strap product!  

Others have asked to connect to other Chest Straps via bluetooth, but I can understand that Fitbit is standing firm on their products and apps and not really connecting to many other products.  That is totally fine!  BUT PLEASE COME OUT WITH A CHEST STRAP FITBIT PRODUCT!

I would buy one immediately, and so would many other people here!  Fitbit is about helping people get fit and stay fit, and for those who are looking for more advanced fitness metrics, unfortunately they cant get it with fitbit products without the HR Strap.  It makes complete sense for Fitbit to offer a product like this for its hardcore users.  A strap could communicate with the app and essentially when you start a workout on your fitbit wrist device, it can detect whether or not there is a Chest Strap nearby and ready to be used.  Then you can use the strap for your more complete HR picture during that workout and your workout will end up being much more accurate for it!

Please Fitbit, come out with a Chest Strap product, you will have many people purchasing it, and many more coming to the brand who are using other products for this main reason! 

[Brentonius]

The minute that a competitor like Garmin or Polar comes up with a chest strap that can be used along with a wrist based system like the Surge, which is what I have been using for the last three years, I will say adios Fitbit Surge and buy the duel wrist base/chest strap system.  It has to be possible and economically feasible.  I'd pay more.

[zubs1aa]

Brenton is... 

Garmin does and has for some time.   

Many models support this.   I have a Garmin vivoactive hr and a chest strap (I use the wahoo tickr X which is better than the Garmin strap) 

As long as you are not trying to use the calorie measures it works great 

[ww1cobra]

add chest strap 

[scottfree4me]

I agree with Markp88's comments.  

Fitbit - your silence on this subject is deafening.  You created this industry, have the greatest market share, and probably the most loyal user base but as more and more competitors enter this market with different options/ideas the pressure to maintain this market dominance increases.   It would be better to let us (the market) know if there are no plans until at least year 20xx to add a chest strap or no plans at all so that we can either decide to move on or settle for what is offered.  I am not a FitBit user, opting for your competitors that offered more accurate results for heart rate monitoring for High Intensity Interval Training (through a chest strap), but compromising on the esthetics and app functionality.  

The Charge 2 is a beautiful product but I cant use it with the delayed HR reports.  Until the optical HR becomes more accurate or you add a chest strap product I cannot use your products.  

[SunsetRunner]

Please add a chest strap option or at least let us know that you're working on it. With no feedback from Fitbit, I am in the verge of switching myself and my family to Garmin ... wearables, scale, everything!

[Brentonius]

I finally gave up and went to the Garmin Vivo Active. Besides the ability to get accurate heart readings with the strap, you get longer battery life and you can swim/shower with it. I'm happy with the move.

Brent Cunningham

[pbeeandj]

Yeah, it would be nice to know what's being worked on! If you're coming out with your own I'd wait, but if you are making one brand able to send data to my fitbit account I rather buy that one. This topic seems to have been active for years.

[PStol]

The Surge is consistently 30 to 40 beats per minute below real heart rate during high intensity exercises. It is concerning that users can be close to their maximum heart rate without knowing it. This could be a serious health hazard like life threatening cardiac arrhythmias. It needs to be fixed. Otherwise a strong FDA warning is in order. 

[MTBer]

Okay weird thing, I have a polar H7 chest HRM and if I wear it my surge is dead accurate compared to the polar computer.  If I take off the chest strap my surge tanks... and shows the low crappy reading.  Has fitbit done something.....I have tested this a number of times because I didn't really believe it myself....