HEART RATE MONITOR QUESTIONS...

mimiteh35

https://buy.garmin.com/en-GB/GB/sports/running/forerunner-110/prod63511.html

Hi, I use this garmin. I have a large chest (36 HH UK size) and the heart rate strap fits fine under my bra. I went into a running shop and tried it on in the changing room.

Good luck! I love my garmin!

Yay, that was one of my biggest fears about getting the chest strap ones! Thanks for the link, too!

mimiteh35

The chest strap is definitely the way to go - I have one which sits just below my breasts and when I work out, I cannot actually feel it although some people complain that they feel claustrophobic... You won't know unless you try.

True, its just such an expensive purchase to try, so I asked lol. I would assume it would feel like a bra, but worried it would be bulky or be moved by "the girls". I'm definitely on the chest strap bandwagon now after all the great reviews on the chest strap ones! Thanks!

mimiteh35

I use the Polar FT4. They made chest bands in several sizes, and each size is adjustable too. The band itself doesn't go around your boobs, so it doesn't matter if you are big-chested or not. The band wraps around your torso, just under where your bra sits.

Speaking of which, the girls should not be flopping around AT ALL, no matter how big you are. You MUST get a great bra. I love the Playtex 18 Hour. It gives fantastic support, and I'm a runner. I've also heard of women who wear 2 bras while working out. Run a search for bra help here. You'll see a bunch of posts with all kinds of bra suggestions. Follow them!

Thanks, the girls don't move much, but they do move, and I do the two bra thing. I've actually asked a question a while back about bra issues and someone suggested doubling up the sports bras, which has helped tremendously, but they still move up and down a little. I'm a DD so its hard to just go into a store and try one on in my size, and I'm on a budget which makes it even harder. This heart rate monitor is my very early b-day present from my fiance to me because he said he knows I want a better one. I already have to buy better running shoes, too, so its just a lot of cost I don't have, so doubled up the bra and it helps a ton, but they do move a little.

DanIsACyclingFool

Polar FT80 here. Love it. But I do a lot of cycling so I wish I'd gotten a polar rc5. Oh, well.

Thanks! Is that rc5 made more for cycling somehow? That makes me wonder with starting a jogging program versus doing workout DVDs like I've been doing, will that make a difference too? Or just the cycling?

If you go on polar's website they have a tool that helps you match your needs to their products. My ft80 is like an ft60 only a bit fancier, and it has extra features intended for people doing strength training. The ft4 is a very good all around hrm, that's why it's so popular. And the rc5 or rcx5 or whatever its called is geared towards cycling, it has a better gps interface than mine and calculates cadence, etc that is of interest to cyclists. If you are primarily a jogger they will have one with joggers needs in mind also.

The take home point is that polar makes very accurate, reliable, quality hrms at several budget levels. Btw I bought mine brand new on ebay for substantially less than what you pay elsewhere. There are several dealers who specialize in hrms, take one with good feedback and save a few dozen bucks!

mimiteh35

Mine sits under the breasts and yes the jumping moves it and messes it up. I just have to move it down further so the bra doesnt push on it. Remember to subtract your resting calories from the estimate at the end.

Resting calories? Good to know about having to move the position some.

mimiteh35

Polar FT80 here. Love it. But I do a lot of cycling so I wish I'd gotten a polar rc5. Oh, well.

Thanks! Is that rc5 made more for cycling somehow? That makes me wonder with starting a jogging program versus doing workout DVDs like I've been doing, will that make a difference too? Or just the cycling?

If you go on polar's website they have a tool that helps you match your needs to their products. My ft80 is like an ft60 only a bit fancier, and it has extra features intended for people doing strength training. The ft4 is a very good all around hrm, that's why it's so popular. And the rc5 or rcx5 or whatever its called is geared towards cycling, it has a better gps interface than mine and calculates cadence, etc that is of interest to cyclists. If you are primarily a jogger they will have one with joggers needs in mind also.

The take home point is that polar makes very accurate, reliable, quality hrms at several budget levels. Btw I bought mine brand new on ebay for substantially less than what you pay elsewhere. There are several dealers who specialize in hrms, take one with good feedback and save a few dozen bucks!

THANK YOU! And yes, saving a few dozen bucks is definitely up my alley!! I appreciate your feedback!

Nicolee_2014

I have a Polar FT60 & I love it. I'm wide & big busted - have no problems with the chest strap. The past 2 weeks it has been beeping at me because it's been losing my heart rate signal but I think that is because I need to tighten it as I've lost a few lbs. Other than that, no problems with it at all.

joshdann

I'm a 6'6" man... former football player... I can pretty much guarantee I have a larger circumference on my chest than you do. and mine fit me, even at 320 lbs

The strap goes right under your pecs/breasts. Pretty much where the bottom band of a sports bra fits most women. It'll fit, just get one!

mimiteh35

I'm a 6'6" man... former football player... I can pretty much guarantee I have a larger circumference on my chest than you do. and mine fit me, even at 320 lbs

The strap goes right under your pecs/breasts. Pretty much where the bottom band of a sports bra fits most women. It'll fit, just get one!

Yes sir! Thanks!!

_EndGame_

I use the Polar FT4, that comes with a chest strap, so you get a far more accurate HR reading than the pulse ones. It transmits directly back to the watch your HR, records calories (based on weight, height, age and gender) and it's waterproof, I use mine in the swimming pool all the time.

As far as the strap goes, I think you'll be safe. It goes under (that area) not over it or above it, so you should be OK. In the unlikely event it doesn't fit, you can buy an XXXL strap from Amazon or eBay. I have a big chest (probably size 48) and it fits perfectly OK around me, plus I can extend it even further, so I doubt you'll need the bigger one.

Hope this helps!

mimiteh35

I use the Polar FT4, that comes with a chest strap, so you get a far more accurate HR reading than the pulse ones. It transmits directly back to the watch your HR, records calories (based on weight, height, age and gender) and it's waterproof, I use mine in the swimming pool all the time.

As far as the strap goes, I think you'll be safe. It goes under (that area) not over it or above it, so you should be OK. In the unlikely event it doesn't fit, you can buy an XXXL strap from Amazon or eBay. I have a big chest (probably size 48) and it fits perfectly OK around me, plus I can extend it even further, so I doubt you'll need the bigger one.

Hope this helps!

Yes! Thank you!

kathleenjoyful

I've got a Polar FT4 which is great - but I use my Polar H7 instead. The H7 is a strap that has a bluetooth connection so my iPhone picks it up, and I can monitor my heart rate and calories burned in the app. I would recommend either, depending on whether you have a smart phone or not. The H7 is slightly more expensive (here in Australia, anyway). Last time I had bras fitted I was a 36GG cup (I have lost some more weight since then), and I wear the strap really comfortably. I make sure the strap and transmitter sit up under the strap of my sports bra.

jmayerovitch

I have a Polar RS300X and I love it. A few years ago I accidentally ran over mine with my car (it fell out of my gym bag) and I had a new one shipped overnight because I didn't want to go without one for over a week.

I wear the chest strap right where my sports bra strap is. As long as no part of the bra is getting between the strap and your body, there's no issue. Very rarely do I see that it's stopped reading and have to pluck my bra out from under the strap. Polar also sells bra/strap combos where the strap is designed to fit in the sports bra. But I couldn't tell you if it's a very good sports bra.

Also, I recently bought the bluetooth chest strap and it's awesome because it synchs with my iPhone. So I don't even have to wear the watch if I have my phone (a good solution in case I run over my watch again!)

jmayerovitch

I've got a Polar FT4 which is great - but I use my Polar H7 instead. The H7 is a strap that has a bluetooth connection so my iPhone picks it up, and I can monitor my heart rate and calories burned in the app. I would recommend either, depending on whether you have a smart phone or not. The H7 is slightly more expensive (here in Australia, anyway). Last time I had bras fitted I was a 36GG cup (I have lost some more weight since then), and I wear the strap really comfortably. I make sure the strap and transmitter sit up under the strap of my sports bra.

Bwahaha. Another Polar junkie.

How long have you been using your H7? Had any issues? I just got mine a few weeks ago.

mimiteh35

I've got a Polar FT4 which is great - but I use my Polar H7 instead. The H7 is a strap that has a bluetooth connection so my iPhone picks it up, and I can monitor my heart rate and calories burned in the app. I would recommend either, depending on whether you have a smart phone or not. The H7 is slightly more expensive (here in Australia, anyway). Last time I had bras fitted I was a 36GG cup (I have lost some more weight since then), and I wear the strap really comfortably. I make sure the strap and transmitter sit up under the strap of my sports bra.

Oooo, iphone app! I will definitely look into that as well, thank you!

mimiteh35

I have a Polar RS300X and I love it. A few years ago I accidentally ran over mine with my car (it fell out of my gym bag) and I had a new one shipped overnight because I didn't want to go without one for over a week.

I wear the chest strap right where my sports bra strap is. As long as no part of the bra is getting between the strap and your body, there's no issue. Very rarely do I see that it's stopped reading and have to pluck my bra out from under the strap. Polar also sells bra/strap combos where the strap is designed to fit in the sports bra. But I couldn't tell you if it's a very good sports bra.

Also, I recently bought the bluetooth chest strap and it's awesome because it synchs with my iPhone. So I don't even have to wear the watch if I have my phone (a good solution in case I run over my watch again!)

LOL I just read another person mention the app, and then I replied to her and saw you saw it too.

I also saw the sports bra one with the sports bra in the strap, but was worried that I'd lose weight and have to get a new sports bra and wondered how that worked with this strap thing and since I exercise 5 days a week, that's a lot of washing of 1 bra in particular, so figured it might not be a good thing for me.

I will definitely have to look into this app synching thing. I wonder if it would disrupt my couch to 5K app I use right now, like if I could use that app and the synching app and it not cause problems. Will definitely look into it, thanks for the info!

jmayerovitch

LOL I just read another person mention the app, and then I replied to her and saw you saw it too.

I also saw the sports bra one with the sports bra in the strap, but was worried that I'd lose weight and have to get a new sports bra and wondered how that worked with this strap thing and since I exercise 5 days a week, that's a lot of washing of 1 bra in particular, so figured it might not be a good thing for me.

I will definitely have to look into this app synching thing. I wonder if it would disrupt my couch to 5K app I use right now, like if I could use that app and the synching app and it not cause problems. Will definitely look into it, thanks for the info!

The nice thing is that it synchs with more than just the Polar app. I've used iSmoothRun for over a year now, mainly for tracking hikes. It's probably the most accurate run/walk/hike tracker out there. And it synchs with my polar strap (so does the Nike app and many others). Every mile, iSmoothRun chirps at me and tells me my time for that mile and overall time. Now it also tells me my heart rate for that mile. It's pretty cool.

Nikusz

my bf and all his running friends use Garmin (chest strap + wristwatch) forerunner series, and they all seem happy

I have Zephyr HxM strap that syncs via bluetooth with my Android phone and with the Digifit app which in turn syncs with MFP.. not sure about Zephyr or Digifit - iPhone compatibility, but Android phone - Polar WearLink Bluetooth HRM - Digifit combo works well too (only this Polar uses CR2025 batteries and quite a lot of people, me included, complained that it eats them up very quickly). there are also other apps for Android that work with both of those HRM straps.

joolsmitchell

I am a larger lady and I have one that fits around the chest...it sits just underneath your boobs and as long as its tight enough it won't move. They are much better than just the wrist ones as they give a much more accurate and consistent reading. Mine is a sportsline model and it beeps when you are above and below target and it wasn't too expensive. It was £50 Not sure what that is in $ but i am sure you can look it up. Well worth the money in my opinion. :-) x

angex3333

Love the idea of the Polar H7. Will definitely have to have a look into that one. I have a Polar F11 which is awesome. I have had it for a few years now.

DanIsACyclingFool

Fyi the h7 doesn't work with android devices

joshdann

it does with ones that support BTLE... which right now is few, but still.

sinoodle

I bought the cheapest polar they sell, I did notice the strap had an "M" on it, so it looks like you may be able to choose a size. I wore mine for about 5 minutes then ripped off and threw it across the room. I wasn't able to get any sort of reasonable reading out of it. Seems like a PITA to strap that thing on, every time you exercise. Yes, it's still lying on the floor where I threw it...

-jason

joshdann

they don't read well if the sensor pads aren't moist.

I don't use mine every time I work out, just when I go walking or running, so I can get a mostly-accurate calorie burn. It's not a pain at all for me. takes all of 5 seconds to put it on, less to take it off.

Melo1966

I have a Garmin GPS/HRM Watch with a chest strap and LOVE it.

The chest strap is adjustable and I like that it helps give the girls extra support.

For walks I do not use the strap and just use the GPS feature for time and mileage.

In response to not getting a reading you need to get the strap wet.

kathleenjoyful

I've got a Polar FT4 which is great - but I use my Polar H7 instead. The H7 is a strap that has a bluetooth connection so my iPhone picks it up, and I can monitor my heart rate and calories burned in the app. I would recommend either, depending on whether you have a smart phone or not. The H7 is slightly more expensive (here in Australia, anyway). Last time I had bras fitted I was a 36GG cup (I have lost some more weight since then), and I wear the strap really comfortably. I make sure the strap and transmitter sit up under the strap of my sports bra.

Bwahaha. Another Polar junkie.

How long have you been using your H7? Had any issues? I just got mine a few weeks ago.

I've had my H7 a few weeks. The only problem I've had is that the Digifit app wouldn't always recognise it - I actually thought the problem was my H7, even swapped out the battery! The Polar BEAT app has NO problems recognising the H7. I'd really like to try the Endomondo app for intervals but I've read online that it also has problems recognising the H7. Not sure if I wanna spend five bucks on an app that might fail! How are you finding yours??

Msdnice

I have a 'Polar and it is AWESOME. It works wonders for me.

manda1978

I endorse the recommendation for the Polar FT4, and you can use the PolarFitness.com site to calculate your workloads and recovery times too

2nd this

heybales

Since you comment about liking the HR zone training - the cheaper polars do NOT allow you to set your own zones.
They have 2, fat-burning and fitness, which floats based on amount of exercise in either.

You can set an upper alarm of FT7, but no lower alarm to know that you want to speed up.

So when reviewing Polar's site, look for option to set zone alarms, and option to have it audible or not, which is nice.

RS300X does.

That model also has the needed stats and self-test to actually have a decent calorie burn estimate, compared to the cheaper models.

PaulaKro

Bump to save this place.