I track my hrv using HRV4Training but usually ignore it if I get a low score on one single day. I’ve always found my hrv is back to normal the next day. If I got two consecutive low scores and I was feeling fatigued I would take it easy that day. But that’s never happened.
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What if you got two consecutive lows scores and did not feel fatigued?
I am guessing you would exercise. If so, then why bother with the tracking?
Good question 
. I’ll let you know when I have a good answer!! Might be a while. 
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If relevant I can share some info on the tracking done by Polar. I have a Polar Vantage M that does sleep tracking and cardio load estimates as well. Because of training indoor I sometimes forget to have the watch also track the activity but when outside I always have the watch on as a backup for the Garmin.
Below is for example what their Cardio Load and Sleep report looks like:
Let me know if this is relevant in this topic or if you want to see other stats.
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Like @Heretic I also tracked HRV for a while and stopped.
I even bought a device that would make it (purportedly) easy but that never worked reliably.
Then I used the iPhone as it’s been checked as ok for use with HRV4 app and eventually I stopped that. I kinda got bored checking it and wasn’t entirely sure it was telling me anything other than I’m about to die (low HRV compared to population comparisons all the time).
I am always keen on these kinds of things which means I buy stuff I end up not using/trusting.
I do kind of get the sense that after a few years of trying ‘amateur’ kit rather than proper lab testing, as an average person in an average house living an average life, unless I win millions on a lottery and then can access a serious coach/lab environment, that these half way solutions aren’t that great.
And then … the next time another thing comes along I’ll probably try that too … ahahahahahaha
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Love those graphs.
In context @MartijnL … do you find you make different decisions about what to do based on the info it provides? (this is hard to write on messaging systems as it comes across all ‘challengy’ and it’s borne out of interest as I like data)
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Right now I’m mainly going by feel as we’re not in tri season. Also: when this lockdown is lifted I’ll be commuting by bike. Even on days I don’t feel so hot I’ll still have to bike to work (34km one way) 
I’ve used the data only once to drive training/resting which was for my 1/4 tri at the end of '19 (all races I had planned last year got cancelled so not really been planning to peak at a specific moment).
Actually I used the Polar data and cross-referenced it with the Strava Fitness & Freshness info to try to work it out.
Hahaha thanks for the reply. I’m not feeling a lot of trust in the numbers but I have enjoyed attempting to quantify recovery. I guess at the end of the day it comes down to feel and the age old question of whether to train hard, easy, or rest, which has been covered in plenty of detail. I suppose I’ll just have to see what happens 
Whoop users - anyone else have trouble connecting the Whoop strap to SUF since the last firmware update?
I have never tried to connect the Whoop to SUF. I push my workouts to Training Peaks and usually use the “start activity” function in Whoop to track the effort. I have a number of integrations pushing data and it was starting to get confusing/ redundant.
Thanks - with a little help from Whoop, I was able to get it straightened out in a day or two.
I know that many do not consider the wrist bands to be as accurate as chest straps, but I have found that other than a slight lag, the Whoop has been spot on. For that reason, I have stopped using my chest strap and rely only on the Whoop to for data transmission to SUF.
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How’s battery life of the WHOOP when you’re broadcasting the HR?
It holds great. - I charged to 100% yesterday morning. Since then I have used the trainer once and am currently at 89%. I seem to be charging about once every 5-6 days. I also use it to broadcast to my Garmin when I ride outside. It is solidly winter here, so most of my riding is below freezing, and although my Garmin battery is usually nearly exhausted within a couple hours, the Whoop has held up fine.
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Thanks! I might try that out sometime, wearing the whoop and a chest strap seems kind of redundant.
I’m curious if anyone has experimented with comparing multiple HRV tools to see if they correlated or if one seemed to be more accurate based on training feel.
I have read some articles that suggest that the Whoop strap isn’t as reliable because of the way that it samples data. I like Whoop because it takes no effort, but I’m thinking about running HRV4TRAINING for a month to see how it compares.
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@Burnsy I follow plans at various times in the (preparing to start a new one) and I generally follow the plan even with a low HRV. I might decide to skip a workout if on top of it I feel overly tired. I was going to do a 4DP on Saturday but my Recovery, at 39%, was lower than hoped so I did “Primers” and waited until Sunday. My HRV/Recovery was a little higher (51%) but I had to do the 4DP. I got results that were WAY better than expected.
So, it did not seem to negatively impact my performance, but by late afternoon (8am test) I was ready to put my feet up. Today’s recovery score is 57%. So, I would go ahead with the workout but make sure you can get the rest in.
I also have a set of compression recovery boots that I used after both Saturday and Sunday workouts. So maybe they helped.
Hi everyone,
I got an Oura recently and started using it after an intense debate and research on Oura vs Apple Watch vs Whoop. Interesting topic nevertheless. If someone is dwindling between Oura and Whoop, I recommend watching both videos below to contribute to your decision making:
It helped me a lot so I thought it was worth sharing.
Best
Neill
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I‘ve got a question for all Oura users:
I‘m thinking of getting one only for wearing during night time. Hopefully I can take advantage of sleep tracking and HRV monitoring.
Will it work? Is the app or algorithm confused by this approach? Will I miss much?
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Interesting idea! I’m also about to jump on the Oura-ring wagon, but a bit hesitant to wear a bulky ring all day. However, very interesting idea to just use it during nighttime. 
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I feel that both the Whoop Strap and Oura Ring are cool gadgets, but the pricing structure for them is a total cash grab. Aside from the fact Oura RIng is the only ring health device option, I can see laying down money for something in that size factor. The Whoop on the other hand… Gives all the same data as Polar, Garmin, even Suunto, when it comes to HRV, breathing rate (sans Suunto) and more but at a monthly cost.
I use the Polar Unite for SufferFest session and most daily wear, while I use a Vantage V2 for running and some other training. But, I like a watch on my wrist and am not fussed with the looks of a sportwatch. I find the tracking to be accurate, especially when it comes to sleep metrics, I’ve never doubted the readings (whether I take the advice is another matter) and have used Polar products for well over two years now.
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