No matter what device you use, there are several things you can do to make sure you get full credit and maximize the PAI points you earn during an activity.
Here are a few tips on wearing and using your device properly:
- Make sure your device fits snugly on your wrist. If it's dangling loosely, or if you can see the blinking lights from the sensor, it should be tightened so the sensor makes firm contact with your skin.
- Always turn on 'workout mode' on your device before you start a workout, and end workout mode after your heart rate has returned to normal. This will ensure you capture every elevated heart beat and get full credit for your activity.
Different devices have different instructions to activate workout mode - review your user manual or check your device maker's support page to learn how to turn on workout mode. - Sometimes sweat can disrupt the signal on your heart rate sensor. Occasionally use a towel to wipe the sweat off your arm/wrist where your device's sensor touches your skin.
- Activities that involve moving your wrist can affect how accurately your heart rate is measured - for example when torquing your wrist, gripping a tennis racket or barbell, or using an indoor rowing machine - it can change the angle of your sensor or move your wearable. Try moving the device further up your arm or switching the sensor to the other side of your wrist.
Here are a few reasons you might not earn as much PAI for an activity, even if you're wearing your device properly:
- Your heart rate did not get very high during your workout. Yoga, weightlifting and other activities might be tiring, but if they don't elevate your heart rate enough, you may find that you don't earn much PAI from those activities. If you're able, try going for a run, rowing, biking, or using the elliptical machine at a fast pace and see if you earn more PAI from that.
- If your PAI Score is already very high (over 100 or 150), you will find that you don't earn the same amount of PAI points for the same workouts. It is normal to experience these diminishing returns when your score is high—this is part of PAI's algorithm.