How close do I need to be to my Polar HRM computer?

fitnessjourney1992

Hi everyone,

So I'm new to these forums and I couldn't find a question similar to mine and was hoping you guys could help me.

I recently purchased a Polar FT4 watch and I was wondering if I could still detect my heart rate and if I could still see my workout if I didn't wear the actual computer on my wrist? If so, how close do I have to remain to the computer for it to transmit information?

I play volleyball a lot and want to be able to keep track of my progress but as you know, you can't really wear a watch to play. If I left my watch at the side of the court in my backpack, will in still work?

Thanks in advance!

marylynn85

I was already wearing mine so I decided to see. I had my daughter hold the watch part, I walked away from her and had her tell me when it went to 00. I got about 8 feet away before it stopped working.

goldmay

I believe most heart rate monitors have a time lag, so the reading you'll get on the watch is your heart rate from a few seconds before.

According to this website, the watch needs to be within three feet of the chest strap, with no other monitors nearby to cause interference. http://www.heartratemonitorsusa.com/polar-faqs.html

cwolfman13

You pretty much have to wear it....

I wouldn't worry about it though, it's really not going to be accurate at all for calorie burn for playing volleyball. A HRM is only relatively accurate for a steady state aerobic event, and even then it's still an estimate.

spectralmoon

I've wrapped the watch band around my tank top strap before to keep my arms bare.

Just an idea.

haildodger

Just clip it to something you're wearing.

..bah Spectral beat me to it. lol

ratherbeskiing

If I am on the machine (like an elliptical) I have put it where you need to have your hands or the cup holder. I have also put it around my bra strap and they have all worked for me.

fitnessjourney1992

Thanks all for the suggestions!