Change heart rate active zones?

[BHibd]

I have a heart condition. How do I change the default active heart rate numbers to the ones my doctor has recommended?

[LZeeW]

Hello @BHibd and welcome to the Community.  Fitbit uses a slightly complicated method to calculate heart rate zones.  We can't set our moderate or vigorous zones.  They get calculated from our maximum heart rate and our resting heart rate.  You can adjust your zones by setting a custom maximum heart rate.  You might get close to you doctor's recommendations, but you might not get the exact numbers.

Fitbit uses the 220 - age = maximum heart rate equation as the start.  Here's how to change yours.

• Calculate your max heart rate and make a note of it.
• If your have a Google account, tap on your profile picture, then Fitbit settings.  If you have a Fitbit account tap on the gear icon.
• Tap on Heart rate in the Preferences section.
• Tap on heart rate zones in the Feature Settings
• Your app will say Using default values in the Custom section.  Tap on it.

Now you will try different, lower max heart rates to see how it changes your zones.  There is a lot of trial and error involved.  A lot.  This is what happens when I change mine.

• My default maximum heart rate is 150.  Because of my RHR, my Moderate is 85 - 106 bpm and my Vigorous is 107 - 133 bpm.
• If I change my max heart rate to 140, then my Moderate is 81 - 89 bpm and my Vigorous is 100 - 124 bpm.
• If I change it to 130, then my Moderate is 77 - 93 bpm and my Vigorous is 94 - 115 bpm.

I hope these examples will show you how much your zones can change and help you get closer to your doctor's recommendations with less trial and error.

I use an iPhone and had A LOT of trouble creating these examples for you.  The zone numbers didn't change at first and I had to quit the app and reopen it multiple times to see the changes.