Issue with heart rate monitor reading

[Helene2013]

Am I the only one with such issues?

We have a Kinetic Bluetooth Heart Rate Strap that works in parallel with our Rock and roll trainer software app with iPad (that app works with a pod to read our watts, speed, cadence, heart rate, etc). My husband puts it on and never ever has issues with it. It starts right away to "clock" his heart beat.

I put it on for my own training session and it never works before 4-5 minutes into the training, and even during the training it can stop (like it did today at around 20 minutes into my training) and stay at 50bpm and take a long time to get back to a correct reading. Very frustrating. Never happens with hubby.

Tonight I did a workout on the bike and it took 3m33s to kick in. I wet the band (the magnet parts) even with hot water in case it reads "sweat" degrees, etc.

My boobs are not that big (I'm a C) and I've had reduction so breasts are high. Nothing that would prevent a good reading from the strap.

I just don't know what else to do to make it work properly. We have some polar (with watch) strap when I use treadmill and it takes just as much time but once it's on, it stays on.

Anyone has a clue as to why it happens? Am I putting it wrong under the breasts? I try to position the sensor right in the middle under my 2 breasts. I even put my bra band over it to make sure it does not move. I don't know what to do anymore and I end up throwing the thing away at the end of the training area as it is useless if not being able to use it at all times, in a way that it monitors properly.

Next time my husband said to try my polar (wrist and band) and use my bike reader instead of the software from Kinetic and see if is does the same. I don't mind trying it. But it is a pain having all that equipment that matches your data and not be able to use that HR reader.

Help!

[OakLeaf]

The instructions on mine say that some people get a better reading with the electrodes in back. I would think that would be especially true in cycling position, and especially for someone with a smaller chest circumference, where the ribs might lift one edge of the strap.

I've also read that some people do better if they actually soak the strap before use, not just moisten the electrodes - since yours works once it gets going, you might try that.

Personally I use aloe vera gel in place of electrode gel - the 100% stuff without any lotions or oils.

[Helene2013]

Thank you. Where can I get the gel? I will try to dip the whole strap in "warm" water - don't want something freezing on a cold body before training. hihi I have intervals training tomorrow night so will soak and let you know.

So you mean I could try to position the reading part in the back instead of in the front? And it would still capture the heart beats? Neat! Worth trying if this is what you meant.

[OakLeaf]

I just use aloe vera gel from the drugstore. Fruit of the Earth brand, don't know if they sell that in Canada or not.

You got the rest of it right - that's just stuff I've read, haven't had a need personally, but worth a try.

[Helene2013]

Thanks. We have a natural product store in the building I work in. I'll go check them out. Or might order through Amazon. Generally free delivery and fast.

I'll keep you posted on the "tests" I'll be trying. Just weird that husband has no issues and I do EVERY single training session.

[Wahine]

Thanks. We have a natural product store in the building I work in. I'll go check them out. Or might order through Amazon. Generally free delivery and fast.

I'll keep you posted on the "tests" I'll be trying. Just weird that husband has no issues and I do EVERY single training session.

Ask Oak said, it's likely due to contact and/or sweat (moisture levels). Your rib cage is a different shape than his and I'm willing to bet that your sweat response takes longer to kick in... keeping those points in mind, it makes sense that he may not have an issue and you do.

Oak's suggestions are good ones and will hopefully solve the problem. If not, you may need to try a different HR strap. My Kurt Kinetic strap is identical to the one for my Garmin, I wonder if they are interchangeable? Garmin has some very nice soft strap designs that fit smaller rib cages much better. Though you'd want to make damn sure the Kinetic soft ware could communicate with it before investing in another strap.

[Helene2013]

Oups...pressed send before noticing another reply. Thanks Wahine. While I had sent this (below) you had mentioned the sweat thing...which may totally makes sense (from what I wrote too).

********

While googling internet about something else, I happened to link to this website which explains a lot of what you said, and more. Very interesting points they have.

http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2010/04/t...eart-rate.html

One thing I noticed is that I don't sweat a lot from chest/cage. In fact, I'm not much of a sweater but for the forehead and neck (and not much there). Since I train with a big fan right in front of me, it is possible that my strap gets dried too quickly. So the gel maybe my best bet.

We also have a "running room" store in that same building I work. I could check it out at lunch time for gel bottles.

To be continued....I'll beat that strap mystery.