Heartrate monitors- without the chest strap?

[KSH]

Do these acutally work?

They are basically watches that track your heartrate via your wrist pulse- I am guessing.

I might get one, if I didn't have to wear the chest strap.

[mimitabby]

be careful. I bought one, it needed two hands to use!

[Pax]

I'll follow this thread with great interest, I have a really difficult time wearing the chest strap on my monitor because it rubs horribly on my breast-reduction scars. :(

[KSH]

Here is the one I have seen:

http://www.highgear.com/prod/PulseWareMini43.cfm?InventoryID=43&CategoryID=8&CFID=693574&CFTOKEN=55610068

------------------------------------------------
$85.00


PulseWare Mini Features:

Pulsetouch Technology
+ Advanced ECG-Accurate fingertip HR sensors


Heart Rate Monitor
+ Target Zone Alerts with quick-glance color graph INZONE display
+ % of Max HR Linear Display
+ Average & Maximum HR for Workout
+ Resting Heart Rate


Calorie Functions
+ Monitor calories and fat burned during workout
+ Visual Calories Target


Chronograph
+ Stopwatch
+ Lap Chronograph
+ Countdown Timer


Watch
+ Time/Day/Date/Month
+ Dual Time Zones

+ 12 or 24 Hour Format
+ Single Daily Alarm
+ EL Backlight
+ Water resistant 30 meters

---------------------------------------------------
They also have this one:

$85.00


PulseWare Max Features:

Pulsetouch Technology
+ Advanced ECG-Accurate fingertip HR sensors


Heart Rate Monitor
+ Target Zone Alerts with quick-glance color graph INZONE display
+ % of Max HR Linear Display
+ Average & Maximum HR for Workout
+ Resting Heart Rate


Calorie Functions
+ Monitor calories and fat burned during workout
+ Visual Calorie Target


Chronograph
+ Stopwatch
+ Lap Chronograph
+ Countdown Timer


Watch
+ Time/Day/Date/Month
+ Dual Time Zones

+ 12 or 24 Hour Format
+ Single Daily Alarms
+ EL Backlight
+ Water Resistant 30 meters

[KSH]

be careful. I bought one, it needed two hands to use!

Well, that would not work riding a bike... but would be OK for running I suppose.

IF they actually read your HR accurately.

[Offthegrid]

Have you tried the strap models? I have found the Polar chest strap to be very comfortable, despite having a large chest. I don't think Polar does a very good job on its Web site of explaining what it's like.

[KSH]

Have you tried the strap models? I have found the Polar chest strap to be very comfortable, despite having a large chest. I don't think Polar does a very good job on its Web site of explaining what it's like.

Well, for me... it's more about the hassle of just having to put it on.

For example, if I'm racing, I don't want to have to worry about the chest strap being on, etc.

Even in daily workouts, if I have put a chest strap on, it's never going to happen. I just know me. I don't want to have one more item to put on me. Putting on a watch will be enough. I don't even wear a watch as it is.

Lazy... I know. But I just know "me".

[KSH]

OK, I found this out about how it operates... and it's NOT going to work for running as you obviously can't get your HR and run at the same time:


Below is from the technical support:

Question: How do I accurately take my heart rate using the finger-touch method?

Answer:A loose fit makes it difficult to attain an accurate reading. Make sure the watch is strapped snuggly to your wrist with the back plate laying flat on your skin above your wrist bone. Remain still and relax your arm on your hip while taking your heart rate. Moisten your middle and index fingers and place them on the sensors between the two humps. Press in your bottom finger until you see HR and two dashes come on the screen. Continue to hold your fingers there until you hear a beep. A reading should appear in 5-7 seconds. (You cannot take your active heart rate in calories mode. This mode only allows you to enter your resting heart rate.)



NEXT IDEA!

I guess I'll just get a watch at some point and scratch the HR monitor idea. I am really rufusing to wear a chest strap.

[Eden]

For cycling and running (though I would think not swimming so much?) you can get a sports bra with the hr monitor sensors built right in! I'm guessing you probably do always put on a bra so it wouldn't be any more hassle...
I believe the bra's are Polar specific - though I've found that it doesn't always matter which strap you are using if your monitor isn't a really fancy coded one.

[alpinerabbit]

I believe I saw one with a tunnel to fit the strap - have a look for them. It's really not that much of a hassle once you have the thing packed in your gym bag....

[KSH]

Just interviewed a possible coach at The Sport Factory... and the second thing out of his mouth was that I needed to get a HR monitor.

UGH!

I really, really, really don't want one!

[Offthegrid]

Many people train on perceived exertion ... if you really don't want a HR monitor, then I'd say look for a coach that will go by PE instead.

I got one mainly because I think it's fun because I feel more like a "real" athlete AND I have a tendency just to go as hard as I can every single workout for as long as I can. I needed to tone it down.

[colby]

I bought one of those finger-touch thingies for my mother in law, since I thought not wearing a chest strap for her slightly less intense training would be nice, and she hates the heart monitor on the treadmill she uses. It seemed to be accurate, but I think it would be difficult to use on the bike and might drive me nuts while running. I'm an instant feedback type person, and I know I would have a tendency to go all out if I didn't watch myself. The HRM keeps me in check, but I still have to learn how to (and whether to) use it on race days. Some of those finger touch models do function by themselves AND with a chest strap, so you could use the chest strap on important workouts and use the finger-touch (or just watch) when you didn't need it. You may be able to use it to learn about RPE and how that correlates to heart rate (once I observed it for myself, it really did become more clear, but before that, RPE was just too abstract).

I hate the chest strap sometimes myself, having to get it just right, especially when it's cold or windy (has a tendency to display half values or no values until I start sweating). Sometimes the chafing bugs me. If I could get the value/accuracy of the chest strap without putting it on, that would be sweet. As it is, I just made putting it on a habit, and I grin and bear it.

[Bluetree]

I was surprised at how comfortable the Polar chest strap is. Honestly, I don't even realize I have it on, whether it's cycling, running or swimming.

It's been so cold lately that it seems to take forever to get dressed for cycling: shorts, tights, socks, shoes, shoe covers, base layers, jacket, HRM, chest strap, Road ID, glove liners, gloves, head warmer, helmet, glasses, reflectors... what's one more thing?!

[Trek420]

Question: you take a pulse at the wrist, why oh why can't they just put sensors on the wrist band? :confused:

Trek-don't-mind-the-HRM-strap-but-always-forgets-it-420

[beetle]

I have a Cardiosport HRM which has a hard strap (to about the outside edge of each boob, then soft elastic round sides and back) and don't get chaffing at all from it. The times I do chaff as when when wearing certain poorly fitting spoorts bras or sometimes doing long swim sessions. I've not tried this as have not had a prob with my HRM but man=ybe those with chaffing issue could try using a bit of vasaline on the trouble spots (but obviously not on the sensors) I find this really helps stop my swimmers chaffing in salt water.

Colby - have you tried rubbinng a bit of spit :eek: on the HRM sensors, I find this is usually enough to get a good connection and readings before working up a sweat.

BTW I have also had a fair bit of success using my HRM in the pool (though not in salt water). I just twist the strap around my swimmers at the back to help hold it in place. I think women have more luck with HRMs in the pool as we swim with our chests covered which allows the HRM to operate properly.

Back to the OP, the 2 hand instantaneous nature of strapless HRMs was what put me off one when I bought mine. Could you borrow one for a while to see if you can get used to putting it on before each session before you invest in something you think it unlikely you will use?

[Eden]

Colby - have you tried rubbinng a bit of spit :eek: on the HRM sensors, I find this is usually enough to get a good connection and readings before working up a sweat.


I got some cream called Buh-Bump down at REI - their slogan is "works and smells better than spit..." :p plain water or spit will work too, but the cream is a bit nicer and always works right away

[colby]

Colby - have you tried rubbinng a bit of spit :eek: on the HRM sensors, I find this is usually enough to get a good connection and readings before working up a sweat.

I usually rub it down with water, but by the time I get out, it seems to have lost its affect. It really only seems to be a problem when it's windy and/or cold. Maybe a cream would work better -- I'll have to try what Eden uses. (Or spit, but lately I have more layers on and that makes it tough) :)

[tygab]

Polar makes a soft strap with only a small hard piece in front. I haven't used it, but it may be worth it for the added comfort. The transmitters can be purchased separately.

I find the Polar HRM hard strap pretty comfortable, also. It doesn't bother me at all. My biggest problem is I keep my gym bag in the car so when I put it on the plastic's usually freezing. :p I don't like to workout without it now because it keeps me informed. Haven't tried swimming with it though. I have the simplest model out there, but I am going to get a newer fancier HRM soon, so I can save data and upload it. I'm not in a rush for that though.

[mel1976]

I have a polar HRM with the soft strap that has a small transmitter. To tell you the truth, I often forget that I'm even wearing it I find it that comfortable.

I've used it biking and running, but don't feel the need to use it swimming, so I can't tell you what it performs like in the water. I love my HRM and get very annoyed when I forgot to take it or put it on. I actually have two HRM's, the older one being an earlier polar HRM monitor with a plastic chest strap that goes halfway across your chest. I found this heart rate monitor not as comfortable. Not only that but my older HRM has far less lovely functions than my current HRM.

The only downside to my HRM would be the size of the watch, but I only wear it whilst exercising, so its not that big a deal.

[Pax]

Off topic...Mel1976, is your avatar a Border Collie??? (I miss mine so much that my heart just leaps when I think I've spotted one).

[mel1976]

Queen, yes this is my blue and white border collie as my avatar.

Unfortunately my split from my former partner means that I'm only a part time mum to my fur kids. We actually have two. Neo is the one pictured who is a male. Keya is our black and white female border collie. I miss them so much, but do get to see them on weekends. :( :( :( :(

He was a lot younger in this picture... actually I can't resist so here are some more.

2540 2541 2542

2543 2544

Ah shucks I'm a proud mum :D

[Pax]

Queen, yes this is my blue and white border collie as my avatar.

Unfortunately my split from my former partner means that I'm only a part time mum to my fur kids. We actually have two. Neo is the one pictured who is a male. Keya is our black and white female border collie. I miss them so much, but do get to see them on weekends. :( :( :( :(

He was a lot younger in this picture... actually I can't resist so here are some more.

2540 2541 2542

2543 2544

Ah shucks I'm a proud mum :D
Thank you SO much for sharing your pictures! Your pups are beautiful!!

We had two beautiful girls and lost them two years ago (exactly one month apart), they were like our children and we miss them terribly. We are house hunting right now though and hope to add some pups to the mix once we get into the house.

[AnnieBikes]

Wow, I have just joined and this is my first post! I laughed at my husband when he bought an HRM, but when I started seriously training for my Southern Tier Ride (starts March 9th) I could not believe how good it was for training. If I have a really hard day and need to have a light day, then I can spin at a heart rate that is beneficial. I do not ever have to worry about overtraining because I can keep my heart rate where I want it. I also realize that I am getting better! Using software to track progress has been great. My strap is very comfortable and I hardly know it is there. It is a Sigma PC 9.