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Accuracy of heart rate monitor

I have recently started a marathon training program using heart rate zones. I've been surprised at some of the heart rates displayed on the watch as they didn't tally with how I felt, but I could not tell if they were correct or not.

Today I wore the watch on a treadmill with HRM in the handles. This confirmed that the watch was seriously wrong for much of the run. My first 15 minutes was a warm up - easy pace and little effort. Treadmill said HR of 110-115 bpm. Watch said 145-155!!

After about 15 minutes the watch then matched the treadmill - and how I felt!

So, the questions are:

Is there anything I can do to ensure better accuracy of the watch
Is it best to buy a chest strap to pair with the watch?

Thanks in advance.

0 tmk2 over 4 years ago

PaulieB said:
Is there anything I can do to ensure better accuracy of the watch

Not much you can do. Try wearing the strap tighter. That's about all you can do.

PaulieB said:
Is it best to buy a chest strap to pair with the watch?

Yes. For precision measurements, like in-zone training, there is no alternative to a chest strap.

0 PaulieB over 4 years ago in reply to tmk2

Thanks tmk2. I've ordered a chest strap! It's disappointing that the wrist-based HRM is so unreliable.

0 5162455 over 3 years ago

just chiming in to confirm your observation. i have been using a chest strap for months but was forced to return it to service. for a week i'm left only with the optical HR sensor directly on the watch ... all i can say is that it's seriously unreliable.

0 bruce3404 over 3 years ago

Agree with all. The HRM just isn't very good. In a typical workout, it's all over the board early on, but then synches almost perfectly with my $35 CooSport strap. Pretty sad when you consider the list price for this watch is 7 times what my cheapo CooSport cost.