How to Record Strength Training Videos with Heart Rate Overlay

Strength training content is everywhere, but most lifting videos show only the movement. Adding a heart rate overlay transforms a technique clip into a performance snapshot — viewers see the weight, the reps, and exactly how hard your cardiovascular system is working.

Why heart rate matters in strength training videos

Many people assume heart rate overlays are just for runners and cyclists. But during heavy compound lifts — squats, deadlifts, overhead presses — heart rate spikes dramatically. Showing a Zone 4 reading during a set of heavy squats communicates effort in a way that raw weight numbers don't.

It's also useful for content about rest periods, supersets, and conditioning work. Viewers can see exactly when you've recovered enough to go again versus grinding through on incomplete rest.

Setting up in the gym

1. Wear your Apple Watch during your workout — it picks up heart rate even under wrist wraps for most people.
2. Set your phone on a plate rack, bench, or cheap tripod at the angle that best captures your lift.
3. Open FitCam, select the strength/gym overlay, and start your Apple Watch workout session.
4. Record each set. The heart rate updates live through the set and the recovery.

Best overlays for strength training

For lifting, keep the overlay minimal so it doesn't block your form. A small heart rate + zone badge in the corner is ideal. FitCam's strength overlay is designed exactly this way — unobtrusive but visible, showing BPM and zone without dominating the frame.

Editing in the Video Editor

If you're filming a full workout and want to cut it into a highlight reel, FitCam's built-in Video Editor lets you import the clips, trim to the best moments, and export a single video — still with the heart rate data intact from the original recordings. No need for a separate editing app.

Content ideas for gym creators

• PR attempts — show the buildup in heart rate as you approach a max lift
• Superset challenges — show how heart rate stays elevated throughout
• 'What my heart does during a leg day' — a relatable and shareable format
• Rest period comparisons — 60s vs 3-minute rest and the heart rate recovery difference