more reliability in your training with these seven suggestions

Step count, estimated kcal consumed, support for a wide variety of sports, wrist notifications and app store. Having an Apple Watch on your wrist is having a diary of daily physical activity and a small smartphone, which can be independent if it is also a version with LTE/4G connection.

Like the vast majority of “smart” watches on the market, the Apple Watch has a built-in heart rate sensor. The more recent it is, the more precise it is. In fact, since the Series 6 and SE, the Apple Watch has been one of the most accurate heart rate smartwatches on the market, which is no small feat.

Although it is accurate and records your heart rate well in many physical activities, a chest heart rate sensor is even more reliable and the faithful companion of athletes who wish to control their effort with precision during training.

How the chest heart rate sensor works

Wearing a chest strap heart rate sensor has long been the default, before the integration of optical sensors on the wrist became popular in the portable like the Apple Watch, Galaxy Watch, or totally sports-focused devices like those from Garmin.

These devices have two components: a monitor or transmitter (worn on the chest strap) and a receiver (either the smartwatch or other compatible products). When a heartbeat is detected, a radio signal is sent which the receiver picks up to display the heart rate at that time. Most use Bluetooth or ANT technology to operate, which rely on low-power radio links. There is also the older Polar 5.1 kHz transmission technology, which even works underwater.

Apple Watches and similar wrist-worn devices come with optical sensors. These are characterized by measuring the heart rate using a beam of LED light which penetrates through the skin and is scattered through the blood vessels. The most modern models can even measure oxygen saturation in the blood.

Why use a chest heart rate sensor?

The Apple Watch’s optical sensor was found to have a high reliability percentage, similar to that of the flagship chest sensor: the Polar H10. However, depending on physical activity, you may have more problems measuring the pulse. Weightlifting is an often under-reported workout. In addition, sweat and a poor fit of the device can cause reading errors because it moves from the wrist and has problems for a correct measurement.

On the side of chest heart rate sensors, several studies, such as a 2017 report in the American Medical Association Cardiology, confirmed that a good group is capable of obtaining 99% similarity in readings with an electrocardiogram. However, they also have their buts. For some people they can be uncomfortable, they have a limited battery (they usually work with button batteries and their battery life is about a year, but it depends on the use) and constant contact with sweat can end up wreak havoc and deteriorate, providing poor readings.

How to Connect an External Heart Rate Sensor to Apple Watch

watchOS, the operating system for Apple Watches, offers native support for chest heart rate sensors. is must support Bluetooth technology and 4.0 or LE, otherwise the watch will not detect it and pairing will not be possible.

1. We connect the chest heart rate belt and make sure it is visible to other devices. Many models must be worn and next to the skin to “wake up”.

2. Let’s move on to the Apple Watch’s Bluetooth settings.

3. A section called Health devices will appear and in which we will find the heart rate chest straps with Bluetooth.

There may be connection errors. The most common reason for it not being detected by the Apple Watch is that it has previously been synchronized with another device, mainly the iPhone. It’s a good idea to remove it from your smartphone’s Bluetooth settings before trying to use it with Apple Watch.

Apple Watch compatible chest heart rate sensors

CooSpo H808S

We start with one of the best value for money chest heart rate sensors, the CooSpo H808S ($31.29). This bracelet is compatible with Bluetooth 4.0 and ANT+ to connect to a wide variety of GPS devices from Garmin, Polar, Suunto or smartwatches such as the Apple Watch. Can be used with many apps (Apple Training, Nike Running, Adidas Runtastic/Running, Strava, etc.). It is sweat and water resistant (IP67) and works with a button battery (replaceable CR2032) and its autonomy is approximately 300 hours.. It has an LED indicator to check its status and beeps when it starts or stops working.

Athletics A5

We continue with another chest heart rate sensor that stands out for its value for money, the Atletica A5 (39.90 dollars). With a maximum of one beats per minute deviation (depending on the brand), is compatible with ANT+, Bluetooth 5.0 and 5.3kHz for use with a wide variety of devices. The band is made of 27% spandex and 47% spandex for comfortable wear without skin irritation. Works with apps like Runtastic Pro, Runkeeper, Strava, Apple Training, Map my Fitness, etc.

Wahoo TICKR X

With a more striking design, the Wahoo TICKR X (78.31 dollars) has LED lights on the top that allow us to easily check our heart rate. He has a 50 hour internal memory with which to capture heart rate data on cardiovascular and strength training equipment for later downloading and analysis. It is Bluetooth and ANT+ compatible. It can be simultaneously connected to three Bluetooth devices and apps to create a dynamic workout experience. It is also able to synchronize running dynamics such as cadence, ground contact and vertical oscillation.

Polar H10

The ultimate chest heart rate sensor. A safe bet if you want reliability and good quality. The Polar H10 (79 dollars) records heartbeats with good precision and reliability. It allows simultaneous connections, has Bluetooth, ANT+ and 5kHz connectivity, standalone recording, software updatable, washable elastic band and suitable for swimming. Their bands are available in different colors. Its rechargeable battery lasts 400 hours.

Garmin HRM-Pro

Garmin is another of the brands to take into account in the devices for the practice of sport. The Garmin HRM-Pro (98.98 dollars) is a chest heart rate sensor which is one of the most complete. It is able to collect running dynamics data to help with fitness (vertical oscillation, ground contact time, stride length and vertical ratio, among others). You can store this data during swimming and other activities while the watch is out of range. Its user-replaceable battery lasts up to a year. It is compatible with ANT+ and Bluetooth 5.0.

optical sensors

We make a small division and include optical sensors that are not placed on the chest, but on the arm, for users who feel discomfort with the sensor bands above and also look for accurate measurements during your workouts.

Sense of polar truth

For those who can’t stand chest straps and want Polar technology, the Polar Verity Sense ($83.30) can be worn on the arm, in swim goggles, or firmly against the skin under tight clothing. It is Bluetooth and ANT+ compatible, allowing two simultaneous Bluetooth connections. It also allows the recording of training sessions to transfer the data to the mobile later. It is waterproof (50 meters), its battery is rechargeable and the firmware is upgradable..

CooSpo HW807

We finish with the CooSpo HW807 (55.99 dollars), another arm heart rate sensor with which it is not necessary to connect it to a watch for it to work: the heart rate data is stored in the wristband and can be synced with the Hearttool app after exercise. Compatible with a wide variety of applications, has five “smart” LEDs that change color depending on the training zone of heart rate in which we are and in real time. It also has a heart rate alert that will vibrate if we exceed the value we have set through the app. It is Bluetooth and ANT+ compatible, it is sweat resistant (IP67) and has a battery life of up to 20 hours of continuous use.

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