Maybe it is just a honeymoon phase...but I just did my first work with my series 4...I used my ProForm HIIT trainer and when I did that with my series 3 often when I would check my heart rate it would be searching for it but today with my series 4 it kept track of it each time I checked it. I will be interested to see if it can keep track of my heart rate better while I am doing my other workouts that involve different movements. Anyone else notice more accuracy?
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Exercise heart rate tracking series 4
- Thread starter tl01
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I would also be interested in accounts of the new optical sensor. The previous version was the best in it’s class but still suffered from discrepacies in certain situations.
I used my Pro-Form elliptical for my daily workout. I always use the built in exercise tracker and never had an issue with the Series 3, and no issue with the Series 4. Used it yesterday and today. No problems.
Yes, since Friday I've noticed the HRM is far more accurate. I've done a hike up a hill, walk, cycled 45km and 2 kettlebell workouts.
Cycling is the hardest thing for a watch HRM to do because of the bumps from the road, and it did it far better than the 3.
Cycling is the hardest thing for a watch HRM to do because of the bumps from the road, and it did it far better than the 3.
I’ve noticed a real difference since upgrading to OS5. I do a combination of strength training, cycling and running. Particularly with strength training, my S3 on OS4 would often cut out or be slow to keep up, which may have meant that my calorie burn was less accurate (important for me because I track my calories).
OS5 seemed to make the refresh rate a lot more frequent. I upgraded to an S4 on Friday and have not seen a huge difference between it and the S3 on OS5. Very happy either way - I was considering getting a heart rate strap but this seems unnecessary now!
OS5 seemed to make the refresh rate a lot more frequent. I upgraded to an S4 on Friday and have not seen a huge difference between it and the S3 on OS5. Very happy either way - I was considering getting a heart rate strap but this seems unnecessary now!
I do high intensity interval training and I have found in the past that wrist based HR measurement does not keep up with the almost instant HR changes. Similar experience with AW Series 2 and 3 along with Suunto Spartan and Garmin Fenix 5X. This thread has encouraged me to try with my Series 4. I'm suspecting the limitation I experienced results from the nature of wrist HR measurement and not the specific monitor, but it's still worth checking out.
Yesterday, indoors, the Watch was crazy high on my heart rate. Something like 150 instead of 120, as measured by my Fitbit Alta HR and counting it manually.
This morning, outdoors, it was within 3 BPM of the Fitbit. I was very pleased. Not sure why the difference between the two days, but I’m going to keep comparing them as I maybe wean myself off the purely steps-based way I've been doing things and see how things work for me with Activity goals.
Also, I walked for a little over an hour, listening to music, gps on, WiFi on, cellular on, tracking the workout, and had 89% battery remaining. I think I can live with that.
This morning, outdoors, it was within 3 BPM of the Fitbit. I was very pleased. Not sure why the difference between the two days, but I’m going to keep comparing them as I maybe wean myself off the purely steps-based way I've been doing things and see how things work for me with Activity goals.
Also, I walked for a little over an hour, listening to music, gps on, WiFi on, cellular on, tracking the workout, and had 89% battery remaining. I think I can live with that.
I did this am. Walked 2 miles on my Matrix treadmill. My watch indicated heart rate was within two beats of my Polar chest strap. Perfect in my opinion, it tracked is well even in recovery.
Even though the Watch 4 has 2nd generation heart rate sensor, I believe there were changes made in the latest software update. I still use AW3 and see significant changes than before update. Calorie burned on run/walk are a lot higher (closer to Garmin now) but the steadiness of the heart rate reading while doing tennis and weightlifting still amaze me. Calorie burn seems the same as before with other exercises except running or walking for me.
Interesting. I don’t usually upgrade my devices to the latest OS until I have the new device in hand. I like everything about the new device to be new so I wait the week. I didn’t ever put OS5 on my s3 until yesterday when I gave it to my son. Maybe I’ll wear it for a workout and see how it tracks!
Just went for a run with my new S4. Significant improvement in heart rate versus my S2.
I did intervals during the run and usually my old S2 loses my heart rate, particuarly on a hot day like today. The S4 was flawless, no drop outs. Interestingly when I’m pushing myself and my heart rate is high, that was usually when the S2 lost it, but no issues with the S4. Very happy.
Beyond that, the speed of the system is great. So much easier to switch between workout and music, particuarly with the bigger screen and bigger buttons.
I run the same route quite often and looking at my GPS track, the S4 seems to have better GPS than my S2, which tended to be a bit wobbly with the tracking.
I did intervals during the run and usually my old S2 loses my heart rate, particuarly on a hot day like today. The S4 was flawless, no drop outs. Interestingly when I’m pushing myself and my heart rate is high, that was usually when the S2 lost it, but no issues with the S4. Very happy.
Beyond that, the speed of the system is great. So much easier to switch between workout and music, particuarly with the bigger screen and bigger buttons.
I run the same route quite often and looking at my GPS track, the S4 seems to have better GPS than my S2, which tended to be a bit wobbly with the tracking.
i swam for 45 minutes yesterday and it measured my HR... not sure if it's accurate tho. just amazed that it can read my HR in a pool full of water.
I believe this has always been the case with the Apple Watch, or at least since Series 2
Yes but someone mentioned that S4 has just one green led on the optical HR sensor but looking at the specs there are 4 tiny IR sensors.
So far looks good with interval training with the S4. The HR graph shows a clean sawtooth pattern which is good. I still need to graph workouts using both the S4 and a chest strap with a Garmin Forerunner. Will be interesting to see if there is any time lag between the two.
I've done one strength training workout (chest and biceps routine) and was quite impressed with the optical sensor HR reading. I want to do some more comparisons before I commit to utilizing the OHR a bit more than the Chest Strap. I'm optimistic though.
This morning I was jogging on the treadmil. Mind you this is old TechnoGYM treadmill that will not pair with the apple watch.
TechnoGYM: 263 Calories & Distance 3.53km (2.19 Miles)
AW4: 344 Calories & Distance 3.16 Miles
Different between TechoGYM & AW4 81 Calories & Distance 0.97 Miles.
I'm not sure which method is far more accurate TechnoGYM or AW4, I'm gonna try again in few days time - they have 20 treadmills
I think my Heart rate is accurate 175BPM during the excerise.
TechnoGYM: 263 Calories & Distance 3.53km (2.19 Miles)
AW4: 344 Calories & Distance 3.16 Miles
Different between TechoGYM & AW4 81 Calories & Distance 0.97 Miles.
I'm not sure which method is far more accurate TechnoGYM or AW4, I'm gonna try again in few days time - they have 20 treadmills
I think my Heart rate is accurate 175BPM during the excerise.
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