Heartrate monitors- without the chest strap?

[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 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 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..." 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 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. 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.





Ah shucks I'm a proud mum

[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.





Ah shucks I'm a proud mum

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.