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Tip for wrist HR when cycling

One thing I have noticed consistently when cycling with my VA3 (and this is apparently the same on other Garmin watches) is that when cycling, the first 10mins or so shows a much reduced heart rate than is realistic. When I look at plots there is a definite low until it 'wakes up'.

I believe this is a filtering effect on the watch to avoid spurious readings. I'd call it a bug. It is kinda going 'nah, your HR can't be doing that, you were resting until a few seconds ago'. However, if you are running it doesn't do that. It goes 'ooh, looks like you are running, that high HR must be legit!'.

So here is my remedy, which works for me: when you start your ride, shake out your watch arm to mimic a running motion. Observe how your HR climbs to realistic levels.

I have also noticed that the same happens after a rest on the same activity. So, shake it out!

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0 Former Member over 5 years ago

I suffer the exactly same issue.

I tried to tighten the wrist so the watch will be tight to the skin, I think it helped.

BUT I have another issue that I noticed - when I run I sometimes do sprints intervals, the heart rate sometimes doesn't show the exact momentary reading. It is very frustrating.

I think it's because the filtering effect, as you said but I didn't see any option to control it.

Any suggestions?

0 Former Member over 5 years ago

I suffer the exactly same issue.

I tried to tighten the wrist so the watch will be tight to the skin, I think it helped.

BUT I have another issue that I noticed - when I run I sometimes do sprints intervals, the heart rate sometimes doesn't show the exact momentary reading. It is very frustrating.

I think it's because the filtering effect, as you said but I didn't see any option to control it.

Any suggestions?

0 MB201 over 5 years ago

The optical HR sensor is nice for sleeping and usual daytime. But not very acurate for sports. Get an HRM Belt.

0 Former Member over 5 years ago in reply to MB201

It's very surprising to read that. I bought that watch mostly for sports....

0 Former Member over 5 years ago

Same for my Vivoactive 3 music. I was unable to breath almost when cycling up a hill and the watch registered walking pace HR. Your trick might work, let's see, but they also say that it's the blood pressure increase of holding the handle that messes everything up. For me it's accurate for running but useless for cycling :(

0 Former Member over 5 years ago

FWIW, I got the HRM Dual for activities and it works pretty well. At lower intensities the WHR is decent but the strap is more solid IMO. WHR is excellent for daily heart rate variability and sleep data. HRM (top) and WHR (bottom) on a 6mi run.

0 Dirtkahuna over 5 years ago

Or you could wear your VA3 on your ankle. That way you get a fairly accurate heart rate AND you get credit for steps. Just don't try to read the VA3 display while pedaling!

0 Former Member over 5 years ago in reply to Dirtkahuna

You must have a thin ankle ;)

0 Dirtkahuna over 5 years ago in reply to Former Member

Thin bones = better climbing