Does anyone know how accurate these are? I've been having a strange thing lately and this has happened on two machines so I don't think they are broken.

Once I was on the treadmill, once on the bike and my pulse was pootling around about 105-110. Next thing I know it says 185 and there's a big 'Heart rate too fast!' warning. Then its 110 again!

The first time I did feel dizzy but the second time I didn't.

So anyone else had this? Is it just me? My gym instructor says I have to wear a heart belt next time I work out.

I've been going to the gym since January 2006 and this has never happened before but has happened twice this week.

I don't know whether its just a freaky thing the machines do or if I should be concerned.

I've gotten funky readings like that - both too high and too low. But it's something you should pay attention to in case there really is something wrong! Wearing a heart rate monitor is an excellent idea and if it happens again, then you know to check it out with your doctor. Hopefully it's just goofy machines.

I had the same thing happen and when my trainer put me on a heart monitor he found that it was happening when I wasn't exercising also so he sent me to the doctor. They did some tests including a 24 EKG and found that I have an arrithmia (sorry about sp?). Basically my heart has periods where it has extra beats. It's not serious but it's something that you do need to be aware of and something that my doc wants to monitor. So use the monitor and see if it's still there and if it is have it checked out.

Do you know I thought I had subscribed to this thread - I was thinking 'no-one has answered me' but you have and I just didn't check! Bad me!

I've been wearing a heart belt at the gym and so far nothing bad. I've also taken my resting pulse which is 52. I think thats pretty low but good low not bad low? So far at the gym it has got up to 146 which is still in the green for me.

Anyway thank you for answering me!

52 is a great resting pulse rate! Your heart must be in great shape.

Glad to hear things are going well for you - hopefully it was just a goofy machine. But you're smart to keep checking.

It happened to me all the time and on all equipments (treadmills, cycle, elliptical etc.) It always started making that beeping sound which made me really embarassed. Sometimes it'd be too less, sometimes too high! But I never felt any physical trouble.

I have cancelled my gym memebership now coz I like the park/beach much more than the gym for running!

I wear my heart rate monitor at the gym and it seems when I hold onto the bars it overrides my monitor's reading with its own reading. I definitely notice with certain machines that it can be wildly off. I would suggest keeping your wrist watch close while using the machine and comparing them. Sometimes they can be totally different.

I've had readings of 78 beats per minute on certain types of machines when I have been nearly double that (I measured my pulse myself) - I think some machines can be inaccurate. I try to measure my radial (wrist) pulse myself although I can't always do that depending on the type of exercise I am doing.

I have had that happen several times on different machines. I had a complete heart checkup before I started working out and there is nothing wrong with my heart. Someone told me that sometimes when you are holding the machine tightly that it picks up an echo along with your heartbeat???
Sometimes my heartrate is 48 and then a few seconds later it is 190. There is no way this can be right.
It is always better to be safe than sorry. I would get a health clearance from my Dr. anyway.
Terrie