Apple Watch Ultra Heart Rate During Workout

I’ve been having problems with my Apple Watch ultra. basically as seen in the photos I’ve attached, every workout I do starts with the Apple Watch reading my heart rate and then for the next 5-10 minutes it doesn’t read at all. I’ve looked everywhere and read different forums and tried every setting possibility out there but none of it seems to work because it looks like I’m the only one with this problem, I’ve tried loosing and tightening my strap but it doesn’t effect the process. I’ve came to conclusion that this is a bug in the workout app because the heart rate sensors work and as seen they read my heart rate through the other half of my workout.


if anyone else has this problem please let me know.

Apple Watch Ultra, watchOS 9

Posted on Dec 18, 2022 1:35 PM

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Question marked as Best answer

Hi everybody,

I know all of you are frustrated about the Apple Watch not being able to read your heart rate sometimes while working out, well after about two weeks of talking everyday with Apple support we have a conclusion and it’s a scientific one.


Apple’s heart rate sensors are one of the most advanced sensors in the world for a wrist watch and they read your heart rate using the veins on your wrist.

when you begin a run you’re cold which means your veins aren’t popped out yet which makes it difficult for the every wrist workout watch to indicate what your heart rate is. When being in a lower temperature area such as running outdoors it’s likely that in the couple first minutes of the workout your heart rate won’t be read because your body is still cold therefor your veins didn’t pop yet (this happens mostly in the winter and depends on where you live) I’ve talked with friends who own Garmin’s and Suunto’s and they’re experiencing the same problem too because of cold weather.


Please be advised that every person is different then the other and some people take longer time to warm up either because they’re more in shape and running a couple minutes won’t warm them up or that’s just how your body is.


What I can advise you before you contact Apple about a problem like this is to make a run indoors where it’s hotter then your outside temperature and run on a treadmill and you’ll be able to see that the Watch reads your heart rate easily, just make sure it’s strapped on as Apple advised while working out.

Posted on Jan 10, 2023 8:03 AM

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239 replies

Oct 6, 2023 5:30 AM in response to AleksFadini

I don’t think there is a real explanation out there and it dosent matter if try to put in place some sort of “ritual” or “magic approach” (position, weather, other small factors), unfortunately yeah like myself I been experiencing this issue but as I posted above, the running session after latest OS update went fine and smooth.

I believe there are some deeper issue with the software that somehow are not fixed yet if, and it shows up sometime.

I went also for a swim and the recording looks fine.

Oct 8, 2023 4:41 AM in response to OmriShpigel

I’m new to the Ultra club (Ultra 2) and am VERY frustrated with the HR monitor issues. I retuned one and am on my second one now and the problem is even worse. My Series 7 does a MUCH better job. The problem for me is during runs (which make up the bulk of my exercise time). I talked to Apple support when I had my First Ultra 2 and the specialist told me to try wearing it higher on my wrist. This doesn’t really work for me because no matter how tightly I wear it it always, during runs, moves toward the wrist bone. I also like to have the digital crown facing my wrist bone and my guess is that it is the crown protector hitting up agains the wrist bone that is the source of the problem. (that said, I tried a run with the digital crown facing the other way and the results were only marginally better). This morning I was researching independent HR monitors and then thought: this is ridiculous. My $799 watch should be able to do this on its own! I fear I will have to return it and see what next year brings.

Oct 8, 2023 6:25 AM in response to alhagar

Sorry to hear you have issues too, yep unfortunately quite frustrating.

I went for my second run after latest OS update and everything went smooth, still scratching my head trying to understand what could be wrong if you are experiencing this issue.

Apple is advertising Ultra as “Ultra Sport Watch” and to be honest, I can’t believe they are still suggesting the customers about how they wear the watch or other small things, I don’t think this would change much (what about I’m in the middle of a Ultra Marathon in the Desert with the hit, the sweat and whatever?)

The watch should be able (without hesitation) to perform the basic HR reading during a workout.This is my personal opinion.

My Garmin Fenix Pro 7 Solar is still stellar rock solid, never failed on HR recording.

Oct 8, 2023 6:40 AM in response to UncleBobble

My Ultra one frequently would just stop working during a workout for no reason other than when I increased intensity of my workout. I even had it replaced through Apple care. I eventually got it work most of the time by moving it up a little higher on my wrist and/or using a sweatband I found on Amazon. Now whether it was a software issue or a hardware issue I don’t know. I bought an Utra 2 and so far have not experienced the same problem I still make sure it is a little higher on my wrist and doesn’t slide down during my workout and I don’t have to use the sweat band. I also clean the back with alcohol before I workout.

Oct 8, 2023 7:02 AM in response to Btlsfn70

Don’t anyone think that we should be wearing the watch just like any other brand as per normal for it to work? Paying so much for a ultra watch for fitness and health that don’t really work normally is ready disappointing, I’m definitely going back to Apple Store for them to give me a solution since it’s still within apple care warranty period.

Oct 14, 2023 2:56 PM in response to RAsgp

There is clearly something wrong with the Ultra in this respect. There’s a big thread on MacRumours about this too:


my AW7 never, ever did this so the whole ‘blah blah… heat… blah… blood-vessels… blah blah… you’re wearing it wrong’ is just guff.


I use a Polar chest HR monitor now but slightly miffed I had to spend another £50 and then have to remember to put it on, and clean it after each run. On the macrumours thread someone claims an Apple tech said they were aware of the issue and trying to sort it, but not sure how true that is. It does sour my Ultra experience though, as I love it otherwise, but it’s not fit for purpose if it can’t check your HR on a run.


[Edited by Moderator]

Nov 5, 2023 10:56 AM in response to UncleBobble

Hello,

I have had my Ultra 2 now for almost 2 months now. I don’t run; I row for cardio. My first workout was problematic (not recording heart, and I posted that in this forum). Since then, I have been more intentional about making sure the watch was tight and in contact with my arm. I can’t say it’s been flawless since then, but close to it. There have been a few short gaps missing.

So, my hypothesis is this: I think the large size of the watch can prevent good wrist contact and thus heart rate recording. And my guess would be that it is worse when running compared to things like rowing, because there would be much more jostling in the former. And this may be most pronounced for those with smaller wrists. (My wrist is not super small, but it’s not large either.) So I wouldn’t put it as, “You’re wearing it wrong.” Rather, I would say it is a design flaw (or characteristic) related to the size of the device. And folks with smaller wrists should be aware. If this is true, then I’m not sure what could be done about it. Perhaps software tweaks could make the sensor more sensitive?

Anyway, I could be wrong about this, but it’s just a thought based on my experiences.


Nov 6, 2023 12:00 AM in response to OmriShpigel

I'd this problem yesterday for first time since I have the watch, not a particular cold day and I did some heating before starting the activity, so I don't think the explanation given here is valid for my case. I'm having other problems like sleep not tracking some nights and altimeter being off by a good margin when it used to work flawlessly. I'm hoping this is a 10.1 software issue and gets fixed soon...

Apple Watch Ultra Heart Rate During Workout

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