Weightlifting and the watch

[wknapp0924]

So the one big disappointment I've had so far with the Apple Watch is definitely weightlifting. The HRM always loses my heartbeat during a lifting session and it fluctuates between 55 bpm and 160 bpm. I know that my heartbeat never dropped below 120 though while I'm lifting weights. Does anybody else have this problem? Or should I take my watch back and get an exchange.

Here's a picture of the fluctuations.

 

[jbmacfan]

Yeah the heart rate sensor is not really accurate if it becomes loose while working out or I think if you sweat a lot. I can do a whole 1 hour session of crossfit/lifting and yet my heart rate measurements are low and the workout app says I only burn like 120 calories. Seems way off.

 

[wknapp0924]

Yeah the heart rate sensor is not really accurate if it becomes loose while working out or I think if you sweat a lot. I can do a whole 1 hour session of crossfit/lifting and yet my heart rate measurements are low and the workout app says I only burn like 120 calories. Seems way off.

Yea. I even tighten it before. What is weird when I do cardio and sweat just as much if not more the watch never misses a beat.

 

[dandrewk]

This is not an issue with yours' or anyone's watch, and has been addressed several times here already.

Ever try and take your pulse immediately after a press or curl? It's REAL hard to find because placing all that weight in the palm area constricts blood flow through the hand and wrist. The Apple Watch measures BPM through the wrist, and if blood flow has temporarily been constricted it will have a hard time getting an accurate reading.

I get the same issue with overhead/bench presses, and on most rowing or pull down routines. Really, anything where a lot of weight centers on your hands. Pushing a lawn mower can have the same result.

This will be an issue with any wrist based HRM. If you want/need full time accurate readings, your only choice is a chest strap.

 

[wknapp0924]

This is not an issue with yours' or anyone's watch, and has been addressed several times here already.

Ever try and take your pulse immediately after a press or curl? It's REAL hard to find because placing all that weight in the palm area constricts blood flow through the hand and wrist. The Apple Watch measures BPM through the wrist, and if blood flow has temporarily been constricted it will have a hard time getting an accurate reading.

I get the same issue with overhead/bench presses, and on most rowing or pull down routines. Really, anything where a lot of weight centers on your hands. Pushing a lawn mower can have the same result.

This will be an issue with any wrist based HRM. If you want/need full time accurate readings, your only choice is a chest strap.

Wow I feel stupid. That is a great response. When I did really light weight flys it never lost my heartbeat. Amazing answer and thank you. I'm sorry if it has been addressed.

 

[CooKieMoNs7eR]

I noticed the same thing, also after exercising for 2 hours the watch ring still shows 30 minutes of daily exercise incomplete? Really?

 

[dandrewk]

Wow I feel stupid. That is a great response. When I did really light weight flys it never lost my heartbeat. Amazing answer and thank you. I'm sorry if it has been addressed.

No worries mate, this is why there are forums. It's not at all obvious why the HR drop occurs when lifting weights, but once you know it seems blazingly obvious.

A workaround could be an actual workout activity for weightlifting. It could monitor BPMs and identify any sudden dramatic changes being due to temporary blood flow constriction, and adjust the readings accordingly.

Hopefully we'll see this in an OS upgrade, but it might not happen until W2.

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I noticed the same thing, also after exercising for 2 hours the watch ring still shows 30 minutes of daily exercise incomplete? Really?

Were you using the workout app at the time? The watch takes far more BPM and movement readings with workouts. Otherwise, logging those exercise minutes will be very hit/miss.

If the app was running, it will still only log minutes that meet certain parameters. If you aren't working hard at the time, those don't count. What these parameters are are unknown.

e.g. I often go on outdoor walks lasting from 30 minutes to an hour. If I walk at a leisurely pace, very few or any minutes get counted, even if I am running the workout app. If I walk briskly, I can get most/all minutes to count.

 

[palemonkey]

Thanks for the explanation, cleared up some confusion for me, honestly thought my AW was broken.