Question from an ICI/PRO member:
Hey john,
I had a rider wearing a Timex HRM in class yesterday and it would not pick up her heart rate on the Keiser console of any of the bikes? It does work on other equipment in the facility (treadmills etc.)
Is there a reason for this? and what she should check if purchasing another HRM to look out for?
thanks
This had me thinking about my Grandfather John Sr. (I'm the third) who could fix anything. Whenever I had a problem with something, specifically a car with issues I couldn't correct, he would advise me to carefully examine any assumptions I was working under. He knew me well enough to know that I had a tendency to see problem "A" and assume it was caused by a failure in part "B". So I'd start to tear apart "B", find nothing wrong with it, put it back together and after wasting a few hours bring the problem to him.
Learning to challenge assumptions can be very helpful in situations where someone brings a problem to you. Most people will try to solve their own problem, before bringing it to you. Along the way they may have created a few assumptions that they will expect you to follow.
My response was...
I'm thinking that it maybe hard to trouble shoot this.Before I'd do anything I would confirm that the strap is actually working at the time. I've had similar situations where a student says; "it works everywhere else" but that's in the past days or weeks ago... only now the battery is dead 🙁Does the signal show on their watch, but not on the M3? Or if they don't have a watch have them go directly to another piece of equipment and see if it shows there.If the strap works other places, but not the M3, as a last step confirm that the M3 works with another HR strap.If everything checks out then I'd connect you with one of the smart people at Keiser.
Currently our display supports only Polar HRM. Unless the Timex watch has Polar
technology, it won't sync to the M3.Follow this link to our website that talks about Polar:
http://www2.keiser.com/en/accessory_options/polarPlease let me or our service department know if we can help any further.
Kind Regards,
Daniel Meine
Engineering
Keiser Corporation
Originally posted 2013-02-06 09:41:31.
John is a member on the AFS (Association of Fitness Studios) Advisory Council.
Holding certifications from; Schwinn, Heart Zones, Team ICG and Life Time Fitness, John's held regularly scheduled cycling classes between 1998 and 2015 when he moved to Florida.
When the weather permits, you'll find him riding and leading outdoor groups by himself or with his Tandem partner (wife) Amy.
- ICI Podcast 238 Meet Nerd Fitness Creator Steve Kamb - April 6, 2024
- ICI/PRO Podcast #113 Explosive Power pt 3 – Video PROfile with Tom Scotto from Stage 5 Cycling - March 31, 2024
- Spinning RideBook of class profiles - March 28, 2024
“…only Polar” ain’t quite right. Pretty much any analog transmitter belt using the 5Khz band should do it.
At Heart Zones/ZONING we’ve been using our Blink HRM transmitter belts very successfully on the M3 for years. And they cost less too.
may want to let the keiser rep in on your knowledge of this. will pass it along.
Does the confusion or dare I say “assumptions” ever end?
FWIW, in my experience the combination of Timex and Keiser is often problematic but it appears random. It is common enough, though, that I dissuade my students from purchasing Timex.
My formula for troubleshooting:
1. Swap their strap for one of mine with a fresh battery. Rules out the bike (which always gets the blame).
2. Swap battery from ‘working’ strap to ‘non-working’ strap. Rules in or out genuine problems with the strap.
3. If necessary, swap out watch for mine.
4. Swap battery in their watch with a new one.
I keep a supply of 2032 batteries on hand and a set of small screwdrivers and charge battey cost + if they want a quick fix right then.
Probably not John but I admire your willingness to step up with helpful procedures.