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Is there any workaround for heart rate algorithms assuming that walking uphill is easy?

6981059
over 5 years ago

The heart rate monitor algorithms in the 245 (and others, especially the Fenix 5x if you google around a bit) seem to have some form of capping where they will not work when going uphill at a low cadence.  I did 2,500ft of vert today swinging between a slow run and a power hike, only to see my heart rate cap at ~110bpm.  I have used the 245 for months now and it's been fine for road and trail running.

Here's an example thread for the same issue with the Fenix 5X, well until Garmin decides to reorganize the forums again and make the links dead: https://forums.garmin.com/outdoor-recreation/outdoor-recreation/f/fenix-5-series/133043/optical-hr-grossly-underestimates-hr-on-slow-uphill-running-walking

And another: https://forums.garmin.com/outdoor-recreation/outdoor-recreation/f/fenix-5-plus-series/158167/heart-rate-way-wrong 

Cue the newly minted couch-2-5k warriors to tell me that I somehow managed to wear all my heart rate monitors wrong for the past decade.

  • 0 over 4 years ago

    I had a similar problem today. Busting my but up the last 1500 of a 6000 foot day. I tried measuring my own heart rate -- was at least 150. Watch shows me around 100. 

    I'm not sure what it is... A cap like you suggest? I read that sunscreen, sweat, and hand position can sometimes interfere, so maybe there is that. At times, when I stopped and my hands were relaxed, the HR would spike up to my aerobic zone, but then quickly go back to 90-110. Kinda too bad because I appreciate the training estimates, but now I can tell for sure its underestimated my last two hiking days (5000 and 6000 ft vert respectively). 

  • 0 over 2 years ago

    Same problem with HRM Pro chest strap and Fenix 5x+ using the hiking activity. There seems to be a conversion happening the max HR I saw was 120 but it was for sure around 160 when scrambling in the sun and for sure higher than 120 when hiking steeps for a prolonged period. I'm gonna try another activity type next time to figure out if that makes any difference...

  • 0 over 2 years ago in reply to 6636784

    I feel like maybe it isn't as bad as it used to be? I use the strap and usually go with "running" since most of my trails have been power hiking uphills and running down & flats. Perhaps the activity change made the biggest impact. I think there are still days it seems way off though. 

  • 0 over 2 years ago

    It's the crappy wrist based pulse rate monitor. Try moving your watch ( maybe using an elastic or velcro strap extender) further up your forearm as is done with the Polar OH1 and Scosche Rhythm24 armbands. These latter two are spot on!!! www.scosche.net.au/rhythm24-tm-armband-heart-rate-monitor.html