Annoying huge HR spike at beginning of strength workouts

Former Member over 6 years ago

I have noticed when starting a strength workout after a run that the first few minutes show an unfeasibly high HR. My max is c. 205, and i'm registering 250-odd. This is using optical HR monitor. Happened twice of four times now (https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/3421446268, https://connect.garmin.com/modern/activity/3380929453) - a bit annoying as it puts the TSS calculation out of whack, and perhaps it has knock-on effects on other calculations? I have no idea how GC calculates resting HR, but i seem to recall it jumping 5bpm the last time this happened, which i'd obviously like to avoid if spurious.
Any thoughts?

0 Browner40 over 6 years ago

Are you using a chest strap for running and then taking it off for the strength training, or using the OHR for everything?

0 Former Member over 6 years ago

Good question, i wondered whether this might be relevant. Chest strap for the run, take it off, perhaps a 2-3 min gap, and then OHR for the strength session (which i don't think you have a choice over anyway?)

0 Dr Phil over 6 years ago

Issues with OHR are well documented. It's a fundamental flaw of the technology that no manufacturer has fully got to grips with. I don't see why you can't continue to use your chest strap for the strength activities.

0 Browner40 over 6 years ago

The reason I asked is because there have been issues brought up before where when the chest strap is still wet, it will report a default huge HR value of 255 or so even when not being worn. Are you making sure that the chest strap is not connected to the watch or that you have forced it to disconnect before starting the strength workout? If you lift up the watch do you see the green light flashing on the OHR? My bet is that the watch is reading the chest strap at the beginning of your workout even though you aren't wearing it and that's why you have the crazy high HR value. Try physically going into the sensor setting and disconnecting the chest strap before you start the strength workout and see if that gets rid of the problem.