Is a Fitbit heart rate record of over 180 in runs OK?

[PGR5458]

I started C25K early December- used to go for very intermittent 1-2 mile jogs before. Am struggling with week 4. Have repeated it three times now but still find the 5 minute run a challenge. I have a fit bit and heart rate as usual is >180 peak during runs. This has not improved. Am 62 year old female, BMI 20. 3 I have read that Fitbit tends to record heart rates as high and not to worry about the 250 minus your age advice. Have others found this issue as well? Would be grateful for any advice

[IannodaTruffe Mentor]

Welcome to the forum and well done on your progress.

Fitbits do not have a very good reputation for accuracy and some need calibrating before being able to give meaningful results. If you are feeling fine then it is probably nothing to worry about.

However, if you are struggling, you need to slow down, which will also lower your heart rate.

Can you speak aloud, clear, ungasping sentences as you run?.........if not, you are going too fast.

This guide to the plan is essential reading healthunlocked.com/couchto5...

and includes advice on minimising impact, stretching after every run, hydration and strengthening exercises, all of which will help.

Enjoy your journey.

[PGR5458 in reply to IannodaTruffe]

Thank you very much Iannoda Truffe and John W. Those are very helpful and reassuring responses. It sounds like I have been going too fast. I am doing this with my husband who despite being almost 5 years older than I am is clearly fitter and I have been trying to keep up with him. Will use the "able to speak" metric which I know I have definitely not been able to do up to now. Tomorrow is next run and will go more slowly. Thanks again.👍

[IannodaTruffe Mentor in reply to PGR5458]

The ability to talk as you run is a far better guide to the recommended pace than iffy tech.Counterintuitively it is this slower pace that develops your aerobic base rather than a faster pace.

[John_W Graduate Ambassador]

Fitbts are not be trusted as dedicated running devices and I really wouldn't put any faith in that reading of 180 bpm.

As a 62 year old and if you are genuinely jogging and feeling comfortable then I'd expect your HR to be much much lower.

As long as you feel ok and are breathing fine and able to talk, then you can, generally, ignore the HR reading from a Fitbit.

By the way, the formula for estimating maximum HR is 220-age, not 250

[Frenc Graduate]

You’re right, Fitbit can be pretty inaccurate with regards to HR. It tends to record higher rates based on cadence and arm movement for some reason. I can be walking really slowly down a hill and it records 185 bpm! So as mentioned I’d go by how you feel 😊.