external heart rate monitor reporting

Try this, go into the Apple Watch app and then go to Workout > Power Saving Mode.

In theory, this should disable the HRM on the watch during runs and walk workouts only, and allow you to receive the data from the strap only.

When I went running earlier today, I had both HRMs runnings, and the health app included both but seemed to mostly show the strap at the peak of my run when the watch readings would be a little slower from the wrist. So it should work either way, but to conserve battery, turn on Power Saving Mode.

You'd need an iPhone app with a watch version that was able to read from your heart rate monitor. But why wouldn't you just use the heart rate measurement in the Watch? I suppose that, if you're using something like a Polar and you've been using the Polar sifter to track progress you'd want to stick with it.

Understood. Just check that you have the watch snug against your skin.

But - as I said, you need to find an app that will read from your current monitor and that also has a Watch app

If you have the Workout app open on the watch, just swipe to the screen that is showing the heart rate, and you should see the heart rate that you're getting through your chest strap. I did that the other day using a Wahoo Tickr chest strap.

I Agree for High Intensity and interval training where keeping in a specific zone is crucial the HR on the apple watch is too slow. The only way I can get the Workout app to use my Polar Strap info instead of the apple Watch's less accurate ( at high heart rates) photoplethysmography or infrared is to :

BEFORE opening the workout app or connecting your Bluetooth headset go to apple watch settings ( on the watch) then Bluetooth then touch the external HR monitor you are wearing from the list.

THEN go to workout app and start a workout. Peak under the watch- if there are no flashes and the HR is being monitorEd you've done it right.

I Haven't figured out how do do this AND use my BT headset yet-working on it. It seems to be about the sequence.

I Also cannot seem to consistently keep the apple watch workout app AND the 60 beat app to simultaneously monitor my HR. Any help there?

Thanks for this reply. This is what I am struggling with. It seems to still be lighting the LEDs under the watch even after pairing with H7, but I'll pay more attention to the sequence and report back. Anyone else have more info on the sequence making sure they are getting the heart rate strap data? I think it will definitely help watch battery life as well. I engage in hour workouts and using the watch heart rate monitor is consuming about 40% battery in those two hours. It would be really helpful if the H7 did the reporting.

Elliot,

Was it easy to pair the Polar--H7?--and the watch? I've been testing out a Wahoo TICKR with the watch for HIIT and it paired once but won't do it again. The sensor works fine on the iPhone Wahoo app but can't pair with the watch, even with Bluetooth turned off on the phone. None of the ideas in the forum have worked and Wahoo support had no suggestions except contact Apple so I'm going to return the TICKR. Don't want to go through the same hassle with the Polar, though. Thanks!

Ed

Ed, for what it's worth, I have the same problem pairing my Wahoo Blue HR chest monitor with my apple watch. In my opinion, Apple need to sort this out as my Wahoo connects weigh iPhone just fine.

Should have known we would be beta-testing apple watch for them !

Thanks, Mike. An update: I returned the Wahoo and bought a Polar H7. I've only used the H7 twice for two low- to moderate intensity sessions but it connected immediately to the watch. If it fails to work for more intense workouts I'll post a follow-up.

Ed

Hey Ed. After you used the Polar band and saved your workout, do you get the average heart beat in the activity app on Iphone, under that workout? I do get an average in the short summary before saving the workout but after that is gone, just a line when checking workouts history.

I'm getting the same result as you--no average on the iPhone.

I use the Polar HR7 and it paired fine and the LED was off during the workout. The only thing I noticed is that the HR goes pretty high. Over 200 bpm which I did not see on the Polar V800 watch. I have yet to use both during a workout to see if the Apple Watch is misreading the HR7, or not working correctly.

I also noticed when using the Apple Watch HRM it sometimes goes to 60-70 bpm and jumps to higher 100-160 which is more accurate. Don´t know why. Maybe difficulty reading my pulse.

Update to my previous posts. The Polar HR7 & Watch combo is working fine with HIIT workouts and seems to be much more accurate and responsive to heart rate changes than just the Watch. I just have to remember to turn off the iPhone's bluetooth signal before starting to work out so the watch pairs properly with the HR7.