Heart rate monitor -- be honest!

[e²Studios]

I typically run 6 days a week and work out on various other cardio/karate classes 4 to 5 days a week. I use the heart monitor that is on my Fitbit surge all the time.

I run 5-6 days a week, usually around 30-35 miles. I have a Garmin FR220 and a Mio Link HRM. I was really hoping the Apple Watch could consolidate 2 devices in to one but sadly the watch has no stand alone GPS. I don't run with my phone and besides that the accuracy of phone GPS is horrible compared to a Garmin purpose built GPS watch.

I hope the next version will have standalone GPS, I'm sure there are plenty of other active people that were a bit bummed when there was no GPS in the watch. The inclusion of a HRM was great, but that doesn't really help for running without GPS imo.

 

[BD1]

This support article about the heart rate feature answers a few questions.

Ben thanks for linking to this support article. I am guessing that some of the mixed heart rate accuracy reviews (some said it worked well, others not so well) were related to how tight or loose the reviewer was wearing it during the workout as this article highlights.

Also the point about multiple sensors (IR, green led) was interesting.

I expect we will see a Lot of posts about HR not being accurate related to this alone and replies of "you're not wearing it right"

 

[charlituna]

I don't go to the gym. I'm never going to the gym. There's an awful lot of time and money and weight and space put into the AW to provide a heart rate monitor. How many people are going to use it regularly.

You aren't everyone. What you care about, what you think will be a useful feature, isn't universal.

Health is something that Apple cares about. So they felt the sensor to be vital. Get over it.

If next year they feel that a freaking laser is vital, they will include it. If they don't, they won't. that you think it would be cool won't matter

 

[bjdraw]

Looks like we will have to wait until after launch to find out how accurate it is. I was hoping Apple would release Watches for review to some fitness sites like DC Rainmaker.

There was a post on DCrainmaker recently where he mentioned he is already working with Apple and that a fitness centric review is going to happen.

 

[evercleardoc]

I run 5-6 days a week, usually around 30-35 miles. I have a Garmin FR220 and a Mio Link HRM. I was really hoping the Apple Watch could consolidate 2 devices in to one but sadly the watch has no stand alone GPS. I don't run with my phone and besides that the accuracy of phone GPS is horrible compared to a Garmin purpose built GPS watch.

I hope the next version will have standalone GPS, I'm sure there are plenty of other active people that were a bit bummed when there was no GPS in the watch. The inclusion of a HRM was great, but that doesn't really help for running without GPS imo.

Have you tried using the fitbit surge for HRM and standalone GPS? That would certainly consolidate two devices. I am on the fence about replacing my surge with this. I preordered a SS 42 mm with milanese but am just not sure yet. I'm just going to have to play with it when mine arrives on 4/24 to decide.
For now, I can tell you I really like my surge with the call/text notifications, continuous HRM (not just every 10 min), standalone/built in GPS and battery life that lasts about 3-4 days easily.

 

[BD1]

There was a post on DCrainmaker recently where he mentioned he is already working with Apple and that a fitness centric review is going to happen.

Good. It would have been nice if dcrainmaker (or someone like him) had been given a review watch like all the tech reviewers.

And related, Apple should have given some of the fashion press review watches along with the usual tech group. It would have given a more holistic perspective.

For some like me, I am primarily interested in the fitness capabilities. Others come at from the traditional tech perspective and now Apple is trying to market this as a fashion item. I thought many of the tech reviews missed or glossed over the fitness aspects. And most of the reviewers also don't 'get' the fashion viewpoint.

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Have you tried using the fitbit surge for HRM and standalone GPS? That would certainly consolidate two devices. I am on the fence about replacing my surge with this. I preordered a SS 42 mm with milanese but am just not sure yet. I'm just going to have to play with it when mine arrives on 4/24 to decide.
For now, I can tell you I really like my surge with the call/text notifications, continuous HRM (not just every 10 min), standalone/built in GPS and battery life that lasts about 3-4 days easily.

I had a fitbit charge hr and in my experience the HR monitoring was terribly inconsistent and did not match my chest strap at all. Maybe the surge has different hr tech but I doubt it. The fitbit support forums are full of posts about how bad the hr monitoring is for high intensity exercising.

I'm not saying the apple watch will be better. We will have to wait a few weeks to find out.

 

[Sophrosyne]

I think I'll use the HRM when I'm running official races.

 

[HelloMikee]

Definitely me. I just went on a hike run this morning which consisted of running up steep hills and walking flat areas.

Would have loved to keep track of my heart rate so I could keep it at a high cardiovascular level. After going through 2 heart rate monitors that have both crapped out on me, I'm excited for the apple watch.

I also know it's probably not 100% accurate but that's ok since I'm not training for anything hardcore. Just need to get a good range of where I'm at so I know when to keep pushing.

 

[01silver4]

For me, the heart rate monitor is like the feature unique to the iPhone 6+: the barometer. It sounds really cool and on the first day it's the best thing ever. Then you stop caring and never use it again.

I don't go to the gym. I'm never going to the gym. There's an awful lot of time and money and weight and space put into the AW to provide a heart rate monitor. How many people are going to use it regularly.

Be honest!

Because a lot of people are talking about waiting till the second generation or even the third. But will Apple add genuinely useful new features, or will it stuff that sounds cool but ultimately really doesn't make that much difference, day-to-day?

I will be using it, pretty much everyday. Working out is a very important priority and way of life for me.

 

[bjdraw]

And related, Apple should have given some of the fashion press review watches along with the usual tech group. It would have given a more holistic perspective.

I know Style.com received one and published a review with the rest and The Verge review included a mention from the Vox fashion site, don't read much fashion press so no clue if there are others.

I agree, I wish DCRainmaker would have received an early review sample too.

 

[applegeek97]

If you go on a run with the watch, do I need to also carry my iPhone?

 

[ssmed]

For me - I don't want the Apple watch for when I am running. Running is my escape and knowing Mr X is trying to text or email me is not conducive to that. I have not studied the details enough to know whether you can turn all of this off. I would answer the phone if necessary, but that's it. I will stick with my Garmin Forerunner 620. That is just about the running - you don't even have to see the time. Personally I don't mind the chest strap. The main benefit I can see of the watch would be heart rate at waking which is a useful measure of overtraining, I never quite think of it when I wake normally - and I am not going to sleep in a strap!

 

[marmiteturkey]

I use an HRM in my weights circuit 3-4 times a week to track recovery and keep in the fat-burning zone. It's one of the main reasons I ordered an watch, and am selling my Garmin.

 

[fullauto]

HRM is the main reason I purchased. Lift and run 6 days a week. I just hope its accurate.

 

[Wando64]

i honestly don't know why a person would buy this watch if they didn't care about fitness in some way. I go to the gym 6 days a week and do cardio 3-4 days a week. Main reason to buy this watch is for fitness and annoyances with iPhone 6 plus being huge and in my pocket during workouts. It will be a game changer for me to keep it in my locker and have controls on wrist with bluetooth earbuds.
Why are you guys buying this watch? a little notification device? seems not worth it then..

If I am not mistaken, you will still need the iPhone in you pocket if you need GPS tracking.

On the other side, there are Many dedicated sports watches out there with wrist heart rate monitor and GPS.
Mine is a TomTom Runner Cardio, but others are available.

 

[evercleardoc]

Good. It would have been nice if dcrainmaker (or someone like him) had been given a review watch like all the tech reviewers.

And related, Apple should have given some of the fashion press review watches along with the usual tech group. It would have given a more holistic perspective.

For some like me, I am primarily interested in the fitness capabilities. Others come at from the traditional tech perspective and now Apple is trying to market this as a fashion item. I thought many of the tech reviews missed or glossed over the fitness aspects. And most of the reviewers also don't 'get' the fashion viewpoint.

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I had a fitbit charge hr and in my experience the HR monitoring was terribly inconsistent and did not match my chest strap at all. Maybe the surge has different hr tech but I doubt it. The fitbit support forums are full of posts about how bad the hr monitoring is for high intensity exercising.

I'm not saying the apple watch will be better. We will have to wait a few weeks to find out.

I found that true when I made it looser. I adjusted it to be a little more snug and about three finger breadths above/proximal to my ulnar styloid process. This was only during the workout. After work out I would loosen it up again. But as you stated, we will have to wait and see in a few weeks what the real life tests will show. The best thing about best buy and being reward zone premier is a 45 day return policy I'll still be within that window after getting the watch, lol

 

[Juan007]

Heart rate monitor is one of the top features for me. I understand that not everyone is an athlete, but those who are will definitely use the feature.

 

[Tim7]

For me - I don't want the Apple watch for when I am running. Running is my escape and knowing Mr X is trying to text or email me is not conducive to that. I have not studied the details enough to know whether you can turn all of this off.

Just put the watch on do not disturb before you go running .

If you go on a run with the watch, do I need to also carry my iPhone?

Nope .

 

[Wando64]

Nope .

Yes, if you want GPS tracking, which frankly is pretty much essential for a sport watch.

 

[cap7ainclu7ch]

My main question that I've had for awhile is regarding the 10 minute interval measurements that the watch performs. If the watch senses that I am moving around a lot (lets say running to class), will the watch activate heart rate tracking in order to measure my level of exercise during this time? It seems silly that the watch can have such a high level of sophistication, but wouldn't utilize this to give more health information without the user specifically activating the "workout" app, even though it is tracking our "exercise" throughout the day. I don't see a reason why it couldn't sense activity and automatically start full-time tracking, and then automatically stop once you slow down.

 

[Tim7]

Yes, if you want GPS tracking, which frankly is pretty much essential for a sport watch.

Nope for me, as the Watch on it's own will do distance covered and heart rate.

 

[x-evil-x]

If I am not mistaken, you will still need the iPhone in you pocket if you need GPS tracking.

On the other side, there are Many dedicated sports watches out there with wrist heart rate monitor and GPS.
Mine is a TomTom Runner Cardio, but others are available.

i don't need gps as I'm not a runner. Mainly lifter and cardio as a tool.

 

[8CoreWhore]

Some are interested in using a HRM, some are not. It's not a universal answer.

Many already use them and some people will start to use them since it happens to be included.

It's not just a curiosity seeing your HR. It's valuable data for some and fitness strategies are worked out using it.

For instance, if your waking HR is 65 every day, then one morning you see it at 83, you can learn from that.

If you've been working out a lot, it would mean you need a rest day or go easy day so you can recover and not over train.

Some need to work out with a specific intensity. Some HR ranges are ideal for burning fat and you may use the HRM to keep track of it so you can pace yourself. If you are slowing or going too fast it will prompt you to speed up or slow down.

Some people need to do intervals... A portion of the effort is within one zone, then followed by a higher intensity effort above a certain rate, then back into the easier zone, rinse and repeat. It's a powerful strategy.

If you're not familiar with these concepts, and you're interested, poke around online and learn about how to use a HRM effectively, it can greatly benefit you.It's most used by runners and cyclists, but it can be useful even for walking. When you see how low your HR is while walking, you can choose to walk fast enough to get it above a certain rate. You tell the monitor to keep you above, say 100bpm, and it will warn you if you fall below that. It's a great motivator. Honest.

EDIT+++ BTW, one of the reviewers, a woman, said the HRM of the Watch was very close to the reading she got from her heart strap. So that is very good news.

 

[x-evil-x]

My main question that I've had for awhile is regarding the 10 minute interval measurements that the watch performs. If the watch senses that I am moving around a lot (lets say running to class), will the watch activate heart rate tracking in order to measure my level of exercise during this time? It seems silly that the watch can have such a high level of sophistication, but wouldn't utilize this to give more health information without the user specifically activating the "workout" app, even though it is tracking our "exercise" throughout the day. I don't see a reason why it couldn't sense activity and automatically start full-time tracking, and then automatically stop once you slow down.

very interested in this also. Hopefully it is capable out the gate or with a software update to detect higher heart rate and movement and turn on fully.

 

[Hakiroto]

Apple Watch already records your heart rate every 10 minutes on its own. The data is fed to the Health app and is available to any 3rd party app that can access data from there.

Oh, really? Wow, I didn't know that (despite reading lots about it). Thanks for the heads up.