Strava has announced support for the AirPods Pro 3 wireless earphones‘ heart rate sensor, meaning iPhone app users can record their BPM alongside their workouts.
The update published on Wednesday enables AirPods Pro 3 owners to stream their heart rate during a mobile recording session on iPhone, which is excellent news for those without a fitness tracker to record wrist-based heart rate readings, or a chest strap from the likes of Polar.
While the iPhone app offers pace and distance tracking via GPS for running or walking, for instance, there’s no data on how hard you’re working relative to your current fitness – unless a heart rate tracking component is in effect.
The AirPods Pro 3 model, released late last year, are the first in the range to include a heart rate sensor for in-ear readings.
If you already have an Apple Watch recording your workout and introduce the AirPods Pro 3 to the equation, Strava will take the best available heart rate reading providing the strongest signal. That’s highly likely to be the Apple Watch sensor, which is larger and more powerful and in closer, more secure contact with the skin.
In the announcement Strava said: “Pair them with the Apple Watch and both devices work together, automatically picking the strongest signal so you get the most accurate reading whether you’re running, riding or lifting. No extra setup, no extra gear, just press record.”
It’s hard to imagine a circumstance where the Apple Watch heart rate monitor would take a back seat to the AirPods Pro 3. So basically, this is best deployed if you don’t have an Apple watch or another device like a Garmin able to capture your heart rate data.
Users will need iOS 18 or higher installed to access the new feature.
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