Exercise Machine Heart Rate Sensors

Thinking of getting an elliptical cross trainer for winter fitness and wondering if those hand sensors that some exercise machines have to monitor heart rate are safe to use with a pacemaker.

4 Comments

safe

by Tracey_E - 2017-09-18 21:55:25

Safe, yes. Accurate, no. 

Thank You Both

by Shaun - 2017-09-19 04:29:17

I'm fortunate in that my pacemaker doesn't pace while I'm exercising, it only clicks in below 60bpm.

Cross trainer

by Jimmy Dinfla - 2017-09-24 13:51:55

I have an ICD and use several cross trainers and treadmills at the gym.  Their   sensors are very unreliable and inaccurate.  If you want to buy a machine, I would test it at the store and compare it to a heart rate method that you trust. You may also want to check with the manufacturer of your PM and cardiologist.

I Don't Actually Need the HR Monitor

by Shaun - 2017-09-24 14:19:37

My question was more to find out if I should be avoiding such machines with hand sensors. I have a HR sensor for my Garmin cycling SatNav but I never use it. The parting words from my cardiologist shorty after having the PM  fitted were that a HR monitor is not necessary, all I need to do is let my body tell me how hard to push it, and that's what I do.

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