Apple Watch while mowing lawn

Joined
Aug 23, 2018
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Heart rate monitor on my Apple Watch always seems accurate, but the other day while mowing the lawn it seemed off. I like to log it as a workout since I have a huge lawn and I’m using a push mower. I noticed my heart rate changing by 50-100 points for several minutes at a time and it happened several times while I was mowing. My heart rate is always very regular so I doubt it’s a medical issue and this is the only time this has happened. I want to think it has something to do with the vibrations of the mower. Has anyone else experienced this?
 

pigoo3

Well-known member
Staff member
Admin
Joined
May 20, 2008
Messages
44,210
Reaction score
1,418
Points
113
Location
U.S.
Your Mac's Specs
2017 15" MBP, 16gig ram, 1TB SSD, OS 10.15
I want to think it has something to do with the vibrations of the mower. Has anyone else experienced this?

This is exactly what I was thinking. If this is a gasoline powered push mower...these guys vibrate quite a lot & as you push it all over your lawn...it's very bumpy too.

I'm pretty sure if you did an experiment...and walked around your lawn in exactly the same path as when you mow the lawn...but without the lawn mower...the HR on your Apple watch would operate normally.:)

- Nick
 

Raz0rEdge

Well-known member
Staff member
Moderator
Joined
Jul 17, 2009
Messages
15,745
Reaction score
2,071
Points
113
Location
MA
Your Mac's Specs
2022 Mac Studio M1 Max, 2023 M2 MBA
The Apple Watch heart rate monitor is an optical one and as such shouldn't largely be affected by vibration or motion unless the fit of the watch is changing due to vibration. If the watch strap is snug enough to keep it in place, then it should detect a fairly consistent heart rate without having huge swings in any one direction.
 
Joined
Jan 1, 2009
Messages
15,452
Reaction score
3,808
Points
113
Location
Winchester, VA
Your Mac's Specs
MBP 16" 2023 (M3 Pro), iPhone 15 Pro, plus ATVs, AWatch, MacMinis (multiple)
I'm with Ashwin. I work out with my  Watch on, and the heart measurements are pretty stable. I do keep it tight on my wrist for that workout so the watch is in contact with my wrist all of the time.
 

pigoo3

Well-known member
Staff member
Admin
Joined
May 20, 2008
Messages
44,210
Reaction score
1,418
Points
113
Location
U.S.
Your Mac's Specs
2017 15" MBP, 16gig ram, 1TB SSD, OS 10.15
Great suggestion Ashwin. Watch strap may not be tight enough to overcome the bumps & vibrations of lawn mowing.:)

- Nick
 
Joined
Oct 16, 2010
Messages
17,494
Reaction score
1,541
Points
113
Location
Brentwood Bay, BC, Canada
Your Mac's Specs
2011 27" iMac, 1TB(partitioned) SSD, 20GB, OS X 10.11.6 El Capitan
Great suggestion Ashwin. Watch strap may not be tight enough to overcome the bumps & vibrations of lawn mowing.


Personally I'd suggest getting the heart checked out at a professional clinic.

My own heart went on a goofy heartbeat while I was in the hospital for a non-related issue last year and I ended up in the hospital heart ward for a week while they got things stabilized. Sure not something to just guess about.




- Patrick
======
 
OP
S
Joined
Aug 23, 2018
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Points
1
I should have replied to this sooner, but after tightening the band, there were no crazy fluctuations in my heart rate. I felt that if my heart rate was going to drop by 50-100 bpm there would be other symptoms i.e. passing out, feeling lightheaded. And had there been, I definitely would have visited my doctor. Since other symptoms were not present, I felt it to be something with the watch and it was. I really appreciate everyone's help!
 

Shop Amazon


Shop for your Apple, Mac, iPhone and other computer products on Amazon.
We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon and affiliated sites.
Top