Apple Watch Ultra Heart Rate During Workout

I totally agree, previous Apple watches had some problem at the start of a run but the Ultra is an absolute disaster. This is not ok, positioning the Ultra as the best sports watch for extreme sports and not even being able to track basic HR when it's a bit cold.

By the way it's notr only when it's cold, I ran a marathon few weeks ago, the issue lasted for the entire marathon and it wasn't cold.

I have issues with hart rate in 80% of my runs. It makes the Ultra absolutely useless for a runner or any other sport.

I don't buy that. My series 4 worked flawlessly and my new series 8 drops HR like yours does. If their explanation were true, then why does it pick up the heart rate just fine at the start when you are cold, but then stop at the exact same time, and return after the same time interval on every exercise? Mine stops exactly as yours does... shortly after the work out starts, then picks up after about one minute. This does this every time, regardless of the intensity of my work out. Stops the exact same amount of time into the work out, and the amount of time it is not reporting is the same every time. Based on their logic, the watch wouldn't pick up HR at all until after you warm up... which is obviously not true. So if its reading HP fine at the start of your workout and your veins get bigger as you exercise, it should continue to read with no problems. This seems like another glitch apple doesn't want to admit to.

OK, Don't use Ultra for running. By all means try one out and take it back within the 14 days if it doesn't work for you.

(EU or UK owners may be able to return them under local consumer laws beyond 14 days if it fails to work as specified)

The ideal Apple Watch for running is a 40mm lightweight aluminium model.

Other opinions may be forthcoming.

Hi,

Omrishpigel: Your answer is totally incorrect.

Simply stopping or holding your forearm to your chest while running will restart your heart rate and this shows that this is a software problem that Apple has been unable to fix for years while a simple $100 Garmin does the job.

It's terribly frustrating to have a watch at this price unable to take correct measurements.

All is said.

Best regards.

[Link Edited by Moderator]

I totally agree with you. I just got off a 30 minute treadmill run. I had my heart rate for 10 minutes then dropped. I bought the Ultra to replace my Garmin Fenix 7s thinking that Apple finally fixed the heart rate drop outs (this is my 4th Apple Watch). Nope. It’s garbage and I won’t be fooled again. Going back to my Garmin.

So I now run with a heart rate strap to be sure I get my HR data but I have found something that works and please feel free to try it for yourself. So when i see that the watch has lost the HR I place the arm that I have the watch on up to my chest and don't move it for 5 - 10 secs (yes this is difficult running I appreciate that) but the watch will pick up the HR again. The trick being you have to keep the arm still. Ive tried it running and its worked sometimes after just 5 secs. Ive also tried it while cycling and its also worked. It seems to need to be close to the heart and the watch must be still. I ran with a different watch the other day and the HR was all over the place so have gone back to the apple watch. I also don't like having data on 2 devices so will still with the watch until they can improve this issue. i hope this helps.

Does anyone know whether the watch8 has the same issues or not? I am seriously considering selling the ultra. I had a watch4 for 3 years and never had any issue. It is annoying and ridiculous that a $1,000 watch can’t even read the heart rate reliably. I am even considering buying a different brand, but I am using Siri every day and could probably not do without.

Yes, my series 8 does the exact same thing. Heart rate works for the first minute or so of a work out then quits for a small duration and then after that. The cut out time and duration of not working is almost identical from workout to work out which is why I think it’s obviously software related.

I’m new to the Ultra but have had Apple Watches since the beginning. This is the first time I’ve ever had heart rate monitor issues. I’m not a runner but work out daily with all the different Apple fitness workouts on Apple TV. It doesn’t matter what workout type I select, about 1/3 of the workout won’t record heart rate. If I pause the watch it immediately kicks back on but then disappears again after a little. Tightening or loosening has no effect. Pretty frustrated to see that this has been an issue for a long time with no resolution.

I’m finally seeing an improvement on my Apple Watch 4, before going for a run moving the watch slightly further up my arm is now recording heart rate all the way. If I don’t, it only records from about 5 minutes in. I still think this is software related as this wasn’t an issue before December

I have tried all the different suggestions from tight ing it up to moving it up the wrist, etc... nothing seems to work. As far as I am concerned (and it appears I'm not the only one!) it is a total rip off. The watch is marketed as a radical sports watch, but has a critical fault! Im back to my Garmin.

It also frustrates me, that all the you tuber "reviewers/influencers" none, has spotted it. It is because they are under $$$ from Apple?

I share your frustration. I use the Apple Fitness workouts on ATV as well, in particular, rowing. No matter what I do, the Ultra loses connection fairly early and often. Fed up with the problem, I tried pairing my Garmin HR strap to my watch and then did a workout. Not a single problem. Yes, it's not ideal since we all paid crazy amounts of money for the Ultra, but until Apple fixes this, I at least have a work around.

Totally agree. My series 4 had issues after I took it into a pool. No more than 3 feet deep and less than 30 minutes. Apple was denying the warranty claim because warranty doesn't cover water damage. Absolutely ridiculous considering there are swim workouts and even pictures of people doing underwater aerobics on apple's website. I waited a week and called in again, but reported it as a battery problem.

Ok so I have some workouts where it sucks, some where it’s fine. Every time I have heart rate issues during a run, either my watch is loose, or all three of these are true:

colder than normal outside

shorter stride caused by uphill or me trying to stay in HR zone 2

did not launch apple heart rate app before workout

This is absolutely just one persons data, but I read a post on Reddit about this issue that mentioned I should try launching the heart rate app before my workout. I forgot to do it the first time, and of course, no HR data 6 minutes into that run. I ended the run, opened the heart app, it immediately got my HR (close to what I was expecting), and I launched the workout again. I now launch that app before every workout, and I haven’t had the issue since.

this is frustrating because it sounds a lot like a software problem. I know many people pay the premium price on apple stuff because it’s supposed to “just work”…

watch: ultra but I had issues with the smaller series 3

Wrist size smaller but watch is secured properly with no air gaps between sensors and wrist. Trust me, i tried every possible orientation before I tried this silly trick. I even bought another apple band 🤦‍♂️

aNonNuhMus wrote:

I now launch that app before every workout, and I haven’t had the issue since.

this is frustrating because it sounds a lot like a software problem. I know many people pay the premium price on apple stuff because it’s supposed to “just work”…

For me launching the heartrate app beforehand didn't make a difference.

The trick to set workouts to precision start, and when running first start the workout, wait for GPS and heart rate to settle, and then start, makes the problem occur less for me. But still doesn't completely fix it.

Ran an official half marathon a few weeks ago. 9°C. Started the workout app when the HM started (and having to wait until my slot of people started running), then started the workout. Still, first 8 minutes NO reading, then 3 minutes an incredible high reading (not my normal HR), then suddenly a drop in hear rate (though running the same pace) and afterwards everything seemed to be fine.

I hope it is a software issue (and that it can be fixed) and not a hardware issue.