HRM heart rate reliability

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Shane Abowitt

• April 21, 2025 03:54

My HRM has consistently displayed much lower heart rates (HR) when I am on my bike. In most cases it shows 1/2 the actual HR. I have replaced the strap, ensured the sensor pads are wet and have changed the battery. I have checked the voltage on the new batteries before replacing them. What should the voltage be when measured on the back snaps on the HRM? Shane A.

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  Michiel Modderman

  • April 21, 2025 12:25

  Probably your HRM picks up your cadence instead of your heart rate. Are you wearing the band in the right way?

  

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  Shane Abowitt

  • April 21, 2025 20:57

  Michiel, of course I wear the HRM the correct way. My question was, “what should the voltage read on the HRM, after I replace with a new battery”. I am not sure how the HRM could pick up my cadence vs my heart rate since cadence is created through mechanical movement from a magnetic sensor on the crank arm and the heart rate is electrical only.

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  Michiel Modderman

  • April 22, 2025 14:19

  I have never had this issue (where my HRM pick up the cadence instead of the heart rate) but my wife often has this problem. Probably as for women it's slightly harder to position the HRM strap in the right way if you wear a sports bra.

  Cadence of course isn't only handled by your legs. Also many other muscles like your abs are contracted in the same rhythm, which can be picked up by the HRM.

  If the root cause would be voltage issue the HRM should simply not work as the signal cannot be broadcast. I expect a minor change in strap positioning will result in the right values showing up!

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