| General | |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Amazfit (Zepp Health) |
| Type | Arm and waist heart rate and movement tracking system |
| Series | Helio |
| Released | June 2026 (announced at HYROX World Championship, Stockholm) |
| Price at launch | GBP 199.90 |
| Predecessor | Helio Strap |
| Successor | Not yet announced. See Release Radar. |
| Components | Helio Core Motion HR (arm sensor), Helio Core Motion Waist |
| Colours | Helio Core Motion HR: Mercury Gray. Waist: Black |
Specifications and features as at launch.
Jump to: Expert opinion | What’s new | Specifications | Battery life | Features | Scope at launch | Comparisons | Quick answers | Further reading
Expert opinion
The Helio Strap Pro is a two-piece system pairing the Helio Core Motion HR, an arm-worn optical heart rate sensor, with the Helio Core Motion Waist, a 9-axis motion sensor worn at the centre of the waist. The arm sensor is the evolution of the original Helio Strap and works as a standalone device with more than 50 sports modes, continuous heart rate, and HybridCharge. The waist sensor adds per-station muscular load analysis.
The waist sensor works only in HYROX Race and HYROX Simulation modes at launch, and requires calibration before every session. The full two-device system pairs only with the Balance 3 and Balance Ultra. For general gym work, the Helio Core Motion HR arm sensor is the relevant device.
Amazfit Helio Strap
Sports tracker biceps band
What’s new versus the Helio Strap
Hardware
- Second sensor: the Helio Core Motion Waist, a 9-axis motion module worn at the waist
- BioTracker 6.0 PPG sensor with five photodiodes and two LEDs on the arm module
- Arm module battery life extended to 11 days, from around 10 hours
- Skin temperature monitoring on the arm module
Software
- HybridCharge, replacing the original Helio Strap’s BioCharge, adding a muscular load component
- Hybrid Training Dynamics: cardio and muscle exertion split
- Per-station movement evaluation across the 16 stages of a HYROX race
- Movement library extended to 30 HYROX and strength exercises, from 25
- Offline heart rate storage up to 21 days
Specifications
| Helio Core Motion HR (arm sensor) | |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 33.96 x 24.29 x 9.63mm (11.25mm including sensor base) |
| Weight | 11.4g |
| Body material | Plastic |
| Colour | Mercury Gray |
| Wristband | Nylon, Olive Gray and Orange, 22mm, fits 145 to 205mm |
| Armband | Nylon, Charcoal Black |
| Water rating | 5 ATM |
| Heart rate | BioTracker 6.0 PPG (5PD + 2LED) |
| Other sensors | Accelerometer, gyroscope, geomagnetic, temperature |
| Skin temperature | Supported |
| Connectivity | BLE 5.2 |
| Helio Core Motion Waist | |
| Dimensions | 33.96 x 24.29 x 9.63mm (11.25mm including base) |
| Weight | 10.7g |
| Body material | Plastic |
| Colour | Black |
| Clip | Liquid silicone, Black |
| Water rating | 5 ATM |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyroscope, geomagnetic (no heart rate sensor) |
| Connectivity | BLE 5.2 |
| © the5krunner. Link required. | |
| System | |
| Supported devices | Android 8.0 and above, iOS 17.0 and above |
| Watch compatibility (full system) | Balance 3, Balance Ultra |
| Application | Zepp App |
Battery life
| Module | Battery life |
|---|---|
| Helio Core Motion HR | Up to 11 days |
| Helio Core Motion Waist | Up to 44 days |
| © the5krunner. Link required. | |
Both modules hold a 232 mAh cell and charge via a magnetic head in two hours or less. The waist sensor’s longer life reflects that it is active only during HYROX Race and HYROX Simulation sessions rather than continuously.
Features
Training
- More than 50 sports modes on the arm sensor
- Eight HYROX events on both modules
- Strength training with 25 auto-recognized exercises
- Hybrid Training Dynamics: cardio and muscle exertion split
- Per-station movement evaluation across 16 HYROX stages
- Live heart rate broadcast to compatible watches, cycling computers, equipment and apps
- Offline heart rate storage up to 21 days
- PeakBeats workout status
Recovery and health
- HybridCharge energy intelligence, combining BioCharge, LifeLoad and Training Load
- Continuous heart rate, blood-oxygen and stress monitoring
- Sleep stages including REM, sleep breathing quality, sleep score
- HRV and heart rate recovery
- PAI health assessment
Connect
- Sync to Strava, adidas Running, TrainingPeaks, Runna, Komoot, Relive, Google Fit, Apple Health
- Heart rate belt, running power meter and cycling sensor pairing
Scope at launch
The Helio Core Motion Waist sensor works only in HYROX Race and HYROX Simulation modes at launch, and requires calibration before every session. The full two-piece system, with per-station muscular load analysis, pairs only with the Balance 3 and Balance Ultra.
For general gym work, conditioning and hybrid training outside HYROX, the Helio Core Motion HR arm sensor operates on its own, delivering HybridCharge, more than 50 sports modes, automatic detection of 30 movements, continuous heart rate, and full health and sleep tracking. That is functionally the original Helio Strap with the platform moved from BioCharge to HybridCharge. Broader workout mode support for the waist sensor is confirmed by Amazfit with no timeline.
Comparisons and upgrade guides
- Amazfit Helio Strap Pro vs Helio Strap, which strap to buy
Quick answers
When was the Amazfit Helio Strap Pro released?
Amazfit announced the Helio Strap Pro at the HYROX World Championship in Stockholm and released it in June 2026. The launch price was GBP 199.90.
Which watches work with the Helio Strap Pro?
The full two-device Helio Strap Pro system pairs only with Balance 3 and Balance Ultra. The Helio Core Motion HR arm sensor also works on its own with the Zepp App on Android 8.0 and above or iOS 17.0 and above.
What does the Helio Strap Pro waist sensor do?
The Helio Core Motion Waist is a 9-axis motion sensor that adds per-station muscular load analysis. At launch it works only in HYROX Race and HYROX Simulation modes and needs calibration before every session.
What is the Helio Strap Pro battery life?
The Helio Core Motion HR arm sensor lasts up to 11 days and the Helio Core Motion Waist up to 44 days. Both charge via a magnetic head in two hours or less.
Is the Helio Strap Pro waterproof?
Both Helio Strap Pro modules have a water rating of 5 ATM.
Can the Helio Strap Pro broadcast heart rate?
Yes, Helio Strap Pro broadcasts live heart rate to compatible watches, cycling computers, equipment and apps. It also stores heart rate offline for up to 21 days.
Further reading
- the5krunner Helio Strap Pro hands-on and interview
- Amazfit watch specifications
- HYROX sports technology guide
- Release Radar: upcoming watches
Small things I always use
- Garmin 90-degree charging adapter: Charges your Garmin from any USB-C cable. Essential when travelling. I use one.
- Body Glide: The blue anti-chafe stick swimmers and runners carry. I use it.
- Speedo earplugs: Fewer ear infections and no cold-water dizziness. I use them.
- Dryrobe Advance: My winter changing robe for open-water swims. I use one. A cheaper option is the AONYIYI changing robe.
- Maurten: Race fuel that stays easy on the stomach. I use them.
- Beet It Sport nitrate shots: Beetroot shots I take in the days before a race. I use them.
- Garmin charging puck: The quickest way to top up before a session. I use one.
- Injinji: Toe socks that stop rubbing, so you run more. I use them.
- Ultimate toe protectors: Stop black toenails on long runs. They work. I use them.
- Compressport R2 v2 calf sleeves: My calf sleeves of choice. I use them.
- Cellucor C4: My pre-workout before hard sessions.
- TPU tubes: Schwalbe Aerothan, Tubolito and Pirelli SmarTube. Light, tiny spares. I use all three.
- G8 insoles: Adjustable insoles that are good. I use them.
- Cycplus Cube: A 97g electric pump that gets a road tyre rideable in two minutes. I carry one. 5% off with code THE5KRUNNER.
Watches and sensors
- Polar H10: My daily driver for waking HRV.
- Polar Verity Sense: My backup arm-worn HR sensor.
- Nomad bedside charger: Charges my iPhone and Apple Watch overnight. I use it, and many of their bands.
- Train.Red: The best muscle oxygen sensor I’ve used.
- Tymewear: Accurate heart rate and reliable ventilatory zones. I use it to pace endurance rides over an hour.
- Garmin Forerunner 970: A pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this.
- Apple Watch Ultra 4: My daily smartwatch. No phone needed on rides.
- Garmin Fenix 9 Pro: I’ve just bought one.
On the bike
- Continental GP5000 for everyday riding, and Aero 111 on the front for special occasions.
- Helmets: Specialized S-Works Evade 3 for road riding, and Rudy Project Wing for TT-style races. I use both.
- Ravemen FR300: A front light that mounts under your Garmin or Wahoo. I use one.
- Wahoo TRACKR Radar: I use it on one bike and Varia on the other. They perform the same.
- Garmin Varia RTL515: Radar that warns you of cars from behind. I use this model.
- Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 3: The bike computer that’s easy to use. I use mine on most rides.
- Favero Assioma Pro RS2: Accurate power pedals that swap easily between bikes. I use this model.
Home and indoor training
- NPE Runn: Makes my basic treadmill smart, sending more accurate speed and distance to my watch and Zwift. I use it.
- Google Wifi: Keeps Zwift connected in my pain cave. I use it.
- Apple TV 4K: Zwift on the big screen. I use two.
- Google Nest Doorbell (wired, 2nd gen): My video doorbell, running in both Google Home and Apple Home. I use it.
Health, recovery and sleep
- FreeStyle Libre 3 Plus: Shows how my blood sugar responds to diet.
- hDrop: Measures my sweat loss in summer and indoors.
- Fourth Frontier Zone: Checks my heart under load in hard sessions.
- Oura Ring 5: My partner’s recovery tracker of choice.
- Eight Sleep: A cooling mattress cover my partner and I use nightly.
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