Alusaimi

Q: Inaccurate heart rate in workout app

I have been using the workout app for two weeks now and the heart rate readings were pretty accurate (compared it with some of the cardio machines) however, two days ago the readings have been way off  for example (65 vs 180). Noting that I having change anything in my routine. Any idea how to solve the problem. Maybe a hard rest (how?)

Apple Watch

Posted on Jun 15, 2015 10:20 AM

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Q: Inaccurate heart rate in workout app

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  • by Paul-nz,

    Paul-nz Paul-nz Jul 2, 2015 9:14 PM in response to Alusaimi
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Jul 2, 2015 9:14 PM in response to Alusaimi

    I've got this problem too.

     

    I have tried both the Milan magnetic band and the sport band.

    I have tried having it really tight and somewhat looser.

     

    As an example - I just did a 1 hour cardio workout. I checked the watch during

    the workout, and saw numbers varying from 80 to 150. I would not expect anything

    below 130 as I was consistently working hard.

     

    Checking the iPhone afterwards, I can see that there were long periods where the heart

    rate showed at 80-90, and periods where it was 130-140.  I am positive

    the former is completely wrong. These fluctuations happened many times during the

    workout.

     

    I'm white, no tattoos, moderately hairy on my arms.

     

    Anyone with ideas on how this can be improved?

  • by sergesay,

    sergesay sergesay Jul 3, 2015 1:01 AM in response to Alusaimi
    Level 1 (5 points)
    Jul 3, 2015 1:01 AM in response to Alusaimi

    I Am having the same issue. I believe that my Polar watch is still more accurate than the iwatch.

    i Thought by buying the iwatch would relieve me from using the polar chest strap for heart rate but apparently i am going to keep using my Polar till apple finds a solution.

  • by nick101,

    nick101 nick101 Jul 3, 2015 2:42 AM in response to Alusaimi
    Level 5 (5,103 points)
    Jul 3, 2015 2:42 AM in response to Alusaimi

    To reset, hold the digital crown and the side button for about 10 seconds, until the Apple logo appears. Hope it helps

  • by Spider Mike,

    Spider Mike Spider Mike Jul 3, 2015 9:55 AM in response to Alusaimi
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 3, 2015 9:55 AM in response to Alusaimi

    Sorry, seems like a lot of us have this same problem. Some times my apple watch doesn't even register a heart rate at all (permanently in 'measuring' mode). I gave up on using the watch to read my heart rate and am now trying to get it to read from my Wahoo Blue HR chest monitor.... and it won't even connect to that even though my iPhone can 'see' it just fine.

    Anybody else got any idea how to fix either of these two problems. At the moment I am completely underwhelmed with it.

  • by Paul-nz,

    Paul-nz Paul-nz Jul 3, 2015 3:26 PM in response to Spider Mike
    Level 1 (15 points)
    Jul 3, 2015 3:26 PM in response to Spider Mike

    Yeah... I've seen that lack of measurement too. Played an hour

    of tennis the other day... 3 heart rate measurements in the hour.

     

    As to the alternate heart rate monitor... it is supposed to work

    according to this article:

    to pair an external heart rate monitor with your Apple Watch, tap the Settings app on the Home screen, then tap Bluetooth and select it under Health Devices." The only data available via this connection is heart rate.

    That sounds fine... but then they go on to say that

    Apple also recommends keeping your iPhone nearby for the Workout app in order to get the best measurement

    Huh? Why is the iPhone needed if the heart rate monitor is connected to the watch?

     

    I'd be interested to know how you get on, because I'm going to have to get an external monitor.
    Cheers.

  • by Oliver1967,

    Oliver1967 Oliver1967 Jul 5, 2015 1:20 PM in response to Paul-nz
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 5, 2015 1:20 PM in response to Paul-nz

    I noticed the same issue today during an elliptical workout. First elliptical I've done with the Apple Watch. Heart rate seemed lower than I would've expected, so I connected my Rhythm + and my heart rate readings went from 80-90 to 150+, and I confirmed the 150+ by manually checking my heart rate.

    When using an external heart rate monitor, make sure that it is NOT connected to your watch, because then, then Apple watch with not register it and won't use the data. Sometimes, I have to go back into the Bluetooth settings of my Apple watch and wait for my heart rate monitor to connect, and then I can go into the Workout app and start my workout.

    Hope that helps.

  • by jiwindsor1,

    jiwindsor1 jiwindsor1 Jul 5, 2015 7:14 PM in response to Alusaimi
    Level 1 (0 points)
    Jul 5, 2015 7:14 PM in response to Alusaimi

    I had some wacko readings in the first week I had the watch. What I got were super high HR numbers, like 170-180, when it should've been no more than 110 or so. It turns out, at least for me, that the erroneous readings happened when the watch would slip down toward my hand and lose some of the contact with my skin. Once I made sure the band was tight, the readings were consistent and, presumably, accurate. It sounds like some of you are having different issues, but perhaps this will help someone

  • by Ron Goodman1,

    Ron Goodman1 Ron Goodman1 Jul 5, 2015 7:25 PM in response to Alusaimi
    Level 6 (8,659 points)
    Jul 5, 2015 7:25 PM in response to Alusaimi

    Although from time to time my Watch tracks my Scosche Rhythm+ monitor pretty closely, it does get confused on a regular basis during an aerobic session. I'm just hoping it gets better with software improvements, or I won't upgrading it in the future.

  • by lafayettelaura,

    lafayettelaura lafayettelaura Apr 3, 2016 1:36 PM in response to Alusaimi
    Level 1 (4 points)
    Apr 3, 2016 1:36 PM in response to Alusaimi

    I have the same problem.  It seems to work okay with cardio, but during strength training, it starts okay, then it gives me readings in the 40 BPM range, then it loses a reading altogether.  If I stop and have it read my HR from the "regular" app, it seems to read it okay, then transfers it to the workout app.  It seemed like it got a little better with the recent software update, but still failed miserably.   Yes, it has had constant contact with my wrist.  I even tried it on the inside of my wrist, hoping that would improve.  No luck.  Apple shouldn't promote this as a workout watch if it doesn't work.