The ithlete blog

Welcome to the ithlete blog, the central place to get the latest company news, read real user stories, get our take on heart rate variability news and research, get top tips on using ithlete and share your thoughts.

If you are looking for something in particular you can use the category sections, popular tags or the site search bar to jump right to what you need.

Featured post

HRV and Understanding Illness

HRV and Understanding Illness

Using ithlete to measure HRV and predict or understand illness and guide a return to trainingby Janet BirkmyreI suppose that most of us will have thought a little more about the effects of viral infection on our health and training over the past couple of years,...

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HRV and Menopause

HRV and Menopause

HRV and menopauseby Janet BirkmyreLooking back, I can remember a 50+ track cyclist telling me “It all changes and becomes so much more difficult after 50”.  I did not think too much on it at the time, I was in my early 40’s and still improving (I did not start...

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HRV and Covid – Training during and after infection

HRV and Covid – Training during and after infection

During the early part of the pandemic, in June 2020, ithlete won a grant to try and determine whether or not changes in daily HRV could be used to detect the onset and subsequent severity of the illness. What we didn’t know about at the time we conducted the survey of ithlete users, was how Covid would affect an otherwise healthy athlete’s ability to train during the illness and subsequent recovery.
Let’s take another look.

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How To Handle An Unexpected ithlete HRV Reading

How To Handle An Unexpected ithlete HRV Reading

by Jan Birkmyre Thanks to ithlete I have been tracking my heart rate variability (HRV) via a reading taken every morning since 2012.  It is so much a part of my routine these days that it sets the tone for my day.  Using the ithlete Pro version of the app I can track...

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HRV, Life Stress and Training

HRV, Life Stress and Training

by Janet Birkmyre by Janet Birkmyre ithlete’s HRV measurement turns training data into intelligence - it adds value by personalising data that (while being based on solid research) is otherwise too generic to allow for optimal decisions about training to be made when...

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Using heart rate variability (HRV) to identify the onset and severity of COVID-19 – Summary report

HRV and COVID-19 in athletes. Is there a connection?

We have been asked by the UK Government to test the hypothesis that HRV may be a powerful diagnostic tool for Covid-19. This article will explain the relationship between HRV and Covid, focusing particularly on the implications for people who exercise regularly and...

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Lockdown Heart Rate Variability (HRV)

Lockdown Heart Rate Variability (HRV)

by Jan Birkmyre According to my daily heart rate variability (HRV) readings from ithlete, it is very clear my body loves this lockdown.  On reflection, I suppose, that should not come as a complete surprise but even so, the magnitude of the improvement is a shock....

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Follow these four easy steps to get started with ithlete today!

Heart rate sensor
Choose a heart rate sensor

To measure heart rate variability (HRV) with ithlete you’ll need a heart rate sensor. You have the option to use an ithlete finger sensor or chest strap monitor. If you have a recent iPhone, iPad or Android device you may like to use our Bluetooth Smart chest strap monitor, or alternatively grab a Polar type analogue strap (we also offer one of these) and an ithlete ECG receiver to pick up the signal. Visit the ithlete store to find your preferred sensor.

ithlete display
Download the ithlete app

ithlete is available on both iOS and Android devices and can be downloaded from the App Store or Google Play. If you do want to check your model of smartphone or tablet is compatible check our FAQ page.

Apple App StoreGoogle Play Store

ithlete measurement
One minute daily measurement

After waking each morning relax and sit comfortably, slip on a chest strap or finger sensor and follow the on screen instructions to get an accurate reading of your heart rate variability. Taking the measurement couldn’t be simpler and in 60 seconds you will have a personalised training recommendation for the day.

Wheelchair athlete
Reap the benefits of training with ithlete

The idea is quite simple. Training is all about stress and recovery. A hard session, lack of sleep, mental stress etc. will lower your number. If your reading drops significantly, take this as an early warning that you are overloading the system. On the other hand a high score lets you know you should make the most out of the day. Benefits of this include avoiding overtraining, workout optimisation, guilt free rest days, improved performance and much more!