Heart Rate
Heart Rate Monitoring
Understanding Heart Rate Monitoring
Your sense band continuously monitors your heart rate throughout the day and during exercise, providing valuable insights into your cardiovascular health and fitness levels. The optical heart rate sensor uses advanced technology to track your heart rate without the need for a chest band.
How Heart Rate Monitoring Works
Optical Heart Rate Sensor
- LED technology - Uses green LEDs to detect blood flow changes
- Continuous monitoring - Tracks heart rate 24/7 when worn
- Non-invasive - No chest band required
- Water-resistant - Although the sense band is not waterproof, it is water-resistant.
Data Collection
- Resting heart rate - Measured during periods of inactivity
- Active heart rate - Tracked during exercise and daily activities
- Heart rate variability - Time between heartbeats for stress analysis
Heart Rate Zones
Understanding Your Zones
Your heart rate zones are calculated based on your maximum heart rate and help you train effectively:
Zone 1: Resting (50-60% of max HR)
- Purpose: Recovery and light activity
- Feel: Very light, easy breathing
- Activities: Walking, gentle stretching
- Benefits: Active recovery, stress reduction
Zone 2: Fat Burn (60-70% of max HR)
- Purpose: Building endurance and burning fat
- Feel: Light, comfortable pace
- Activities: Brisk walking, light jogging
- Benefits: Improved cardiovascular fitness, fat burning
Zone 3: Cardio (70-80% of max HR)
- Purpose: Improving cardiovascular fitness
- Feel: Moderate effort, steady breathing
- Activities: Running, cycling, swimming
- Benefits: Increased stamina, heart health
Zone 4: Peak (80-90% of max HR)
- Purpose: High-intensity training
- Feel: Hard effort, heavy breathing
- Activities: Interval training, sprinting
- Benefits: Improved performance, anaerobic capacity
Zone 5: Maximum (90-100% of max HR)
- Purpose: Maximum effort training
- Feel: Very hard, maximum effort
- Activities: Short sprints, high-intensity intervals
- Benefits: Peak performance, speed development
Heart Rate Data in the App
Historical Data
- Daily averages - Your average heart rate for each day
- Weekly trends - Heart rate patterns over time
Resting Heart Rate
- Baseline measurement - Your heart rate when completely at rest
- Trend tracking - Monitor changes in your resting heart rate
- Health indicator - Lower resting heart rate often indicates better fitness
- Recovery status - Elevated resting heart rate may indicate overtraining
Heart Rate Variability (HRV)
What is HRV?
Heart Rate Variability measures the variation in time between consecutive heartbeats. Higher HRV generally indicates better cardiovascular health and stress resilience.
HRV Insights
- Stress levels - Lower HRV may indicate higher stress
- Recovery status - HRV helps determine if you’re ready for intense training
- Sleep quality - HRV patterns can reflect sleep quality
- Overall health - HRV trends provide insights into your health status
Using HRV Data
- Morning readings - Check HRV first thing in the morning
- Trend analysis - Look for patterns over time, not daily fluctuations
- Training decisions - Use HRV to guide workout intensity
- Recovery planning - Plan rest days based on HRV trends
Troubleshooting Heart Rate Monitoring
Inaccurate Readings
- Wear position - Ensure the band is worn correctly on your wrist
- Tightness - The band should be snug but not too tight
- Skin contact - Ensure the sensor has good contact with your skin
- Movement - Excessive movement can affect accuracy during exercise
Missing Data
- Battery level - Low battery may affect heart rate monitoring
- Sync issues - Check that your device is syncing properly
- Sensor cleanliness - Keep the sensor area clean and free from dirt
- Device placement - Ensure the band is positioned correctly
Heart Rate Safety
Normal Heart Rate Ranges
- Resting: 60-100 beats per minute (adults)
- During exercise: Can reach 150-200+ beats per minute
- Recovery: Should return to normal within 10-15 minutes
When to Seek Medical Attention
- Persistent high heart rate at rest
- Irregular heart rhythms or palpitations
- Chest pain during exercise
- Dizziness or fainting
- Unusual fatigue or shortness of breath
Tips for Better Heart Rate Monitoring
- Wear consistently - Keep your sense band on for continuous monitoring
- Check fit regularly - Ensure proper positioning for accurate readings
- Clean the sensor - Regularly clean the optical sensor area
- Use during exercise - Start workouts manually for detailed heart rate tracking
- Review trends - Look at patterns over time rather than individual readings
- Consult professionals - Discuss heart rate training with healthcare providers
For more information about using heart rate data with activity tracking, see Activity Tracking and Sleep Tracking.