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Heart rate drops during activity

Kim

Hi. When I ride I use my epix 2 to track my heart rate. During an activity it drops from a level around 130 to 140 down to 80 for example. I riding more or less continuous and no sprints. After a short while heart rate comes back to a normal level. Software is the latest. Wristband is narrow. Any ideas? Is it a bug or typical? 

  • 0

    Unfortunately, yes, readings of wrist-based HR sensors can fluctuate a lot. It depends on the user, on how the watch is worn, and on the activity (bike riding and strength training are typically challenging).

    Refer to the usual Garmin advice. For example: The Heart Rate Sensor on My Garmin Watch Is Not Accurate | Garmin Support

    If you want accurate HR data, an arm-based or an ear-based optical sensor will tend to provide better readings because of less bones, less hair, more muscles/blood vessels close to the skin, and less movement, but they are less comfortable and convenient.

    The best results are with chest straps, but for some users, even less comfortable and convenient.

    That said, the Epix has a pretty good HR sensor, overall.

  • 0

    Road, Gravel or MTB?

    Kim said:
    Is it a bug or typical? 

    Unfortunately I would say typical for cycling but there are exceptions. For me it works ok on the road and smooth gravel but not in the woods or tougher gravel or rocky paths. When cycling, compared to running, you use your hands much more which will make muscles and tendons to move in your lower arms. Even in running or easy cycling it has it's drawbacks compared to a chest strap.

  • 0 in reply to TobiasLj

    Thanks. It's just road cycling. And it happens once or two times (depends on the time) during cycling. 

  • 0 in reply to Etupes25

    Thanks. I Don't like other sensors and most of the time it's quite accurate. 

  • 0

    It's a bug. I've had the same thing, multiple times. Certainly not all the time. But about 10-20 percent of the time. It's not mismatch between wrist and sensor while riding, as I'm not shifting my hand/wrist position. It just seems to go into a buggy mode periodically.

    The problem with this is it corrupts all related downtstream date - exercise load, training readiness, VO2max, intensity minutes, calories burned, active calories, body battery, stamina, recovery period, potentially even fitness age. In short, everything you bought the watch for. But it still tells time, and distance and elevation gained during workout. 

    It's been an ongoing problem and Garmin seems oblivious.