Strava: How to Remove Heart Rate Data from Activities

How do I remove heart rate from Strava activity?

To remove heart rate data from a Strava activity, you must edit the individual activity either on the Strava website or through the mobile app, then disable the heart rate display option within that activity's settings.

Understanding Strava's Data Privacy

Strava, a popular platform for tracking athletic activities, collects a wide array of data, including GPS routes, speed, elevation, and often, biometric data like heart rate. While heart rate data provides valuable insights into training intensity and physiological response, there are various reasons why an athlete might choose to remove or hide this information from public or even personal view on a specific activity. These reasons often revolve around privacy concerns, the desire to prevent others from gauging training effort, or simply to clean up inaccurate data. Strava provides specific controls to manage the visibility of this sensitive information.

Method 1: Removing Heart Rate Data from an Existing Activity (Strava Website)

This method is ideal for users accessing Strava via a desktop or laptop web browser.

• Accessing Activity Details:
  1. Log in to your Strava account on strava.com.
  2. Navigate to "My Activities" from the dashboard or click on the specific activity you wish to modify.
• Editing the Activity:
  1. Once on the activity's detail page, locate the pencil icon (edit activity) on the left side, usually below the activity title and date. Click this icon.
• Disabling Heart Rate Data:
  1. In the edit screen, scroll down. You will see various options for the activity.
  2. Look for the "Heart Rate" section. There will be a checkbox or toggle option next to "Display Heart Rate." Uncheck or toggle this option to the "off" position.
• Saving Changes:
  1. After unchecking the "Display Heart Rate" option, scroll to the bottom of the page and click the "Save Activity" button. The heart rate graph and associated metrics will no longer be visible on that activity for you or anyone viewing it.

Method 2: Removing Heart Rate Data from an Existing Activity (Strava Mobile App)

For users who prefer managing their activities on the go, the Strava mobile app offers a straightforward process.

• Navigating to the Activity:
  1. Open the Strava app on your smartphone or tablet.
  2. From your feed or the "You" tab, select the specific activity you wish to edit.
• Editing Options:
  1. On the activity detail screen, tap the three dots icon (ellipsis) located in the top right corner of the screen.
  2. From the dropdown menu, select "Edit Activity."
• Toggling Heart Rate Visibility:
  1. Scroll through the editing options until you find the "Heart Rate" section.
  2. Tap the toggle switch next to "Display Heart Rate" to turn it off (it will typically change from green/orange to gray).
• Confirming the Change:
  1. After toggling off the heart rate display, tap "Save" in the top right corner of the screen to apply the changes. The heart rate data will now be hidden from that activity.

Method 3: Preventing Future Heart Rate Uploads

While Strava does not offer a global setting to prevent heart rate data from being uploaded if it's captured by your device, you can control whether it's recorded in the first place.

• Disconnecting HR Monitor from Device: The most direct way to prevent heart rate data from appearing on future Strava uploads is to disconnect your heart rate monitor (e.g., chest strap, optical sensor) from your GPS watch, cycling computer, or smartphone app before recording an activity.
• Configuring Device Settings: Many GPS devices (Garmin, Wahoo, Coros, Apple Watch, etc.) allow you to disable heart rate recording for specific activity profiles or entirely. Consult your device's user manual or settings menu to find this option. For example, you might create an activity profile without an HR sensor paired, or simply choose not to wear your heart rate monitor.

Implications of Removing Heart Rate Data

Removing heart rate data from a Strava activity has several consequences for the analysis and display of that activity:

• Impact on Training Metrics: Strava's "Relative Effort" and "Suffer Score" metrics are heavily reliant on heart rate data. When heart rate is removed, these metrics will no longer be calculated or displayed for that activity. Other training load calculations based on heart rate zones will also be affected.
• Privacy vs. Analytics: While removing heart rate data enhances privacy, it reduces the depth of physiological analysis available for that specific workout. Athletes often weigh the benefits of detailed performance insights against their personal data sharing preferences.

When Might You Remove Heart Rate Data?

Athletes choose to hide heart rate data for various reasons:

• Privacy Concerns: To prevent others from seeing their physiological responses to training.
• Inaccurate Data: If the heart rate data recorded was erroneous (e.g., due to sensor malfunction, poor contact), removing it can prevent misinterpretation.
• Competitive Strategy: Some athletes prefer not to reveal their training intensity or specific physiological responses to competitors.
• Casual Activities: For recovery rides, easy runs, or activities where heart rate isn't a primary focus, hiding the data can simply declutter the activity view.

Important Considerations

• Data Retention: While you can hide heart rate data from public and personal view on Strava, the raw data may still be stored internally by Strava's servers. The "hide" function primarily controls display.
• Re-uploading: If you later re-upload the same activity from a source file (e.g., .FIT, .GPX) that contains heart rate data, the heart rate information might reappear unless you explicitly edit the activity again on Strava.
• Third-Party Syncs: If your Strava account is synced with other platforms (e.g., TrainingPeaks, Garmin Connect), those platforms may still display the heart rate data if it was included in the original upload from your device. The removal on Strava only affects Strava's display.