Heartrate monitors- without the chest strap?

[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.

[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!