HRM chafing

CeejayGee

I have a Polar FT7. Lately if I wear it any length of time (like 1hr+ workouts), it ends up rubbing me raw on the side of my chest where the hook attaches. (I am female - so it's sorta on the area between my breast and rib). Does anyone else experience this?

When I'm actually out and about exercising, I don't notice it. But, then I'll get home and it'll will have rubbed a wound (that I sometimes don't notice until I get in the shower and the water hits it - OUCH).

bprague

I also have the polar FT7 but I don't have that issue. Is your strap too loose? Is your sports bra rubbing the band and increasing the friction that way? Try putting a band aid on the area when you run. I know it will not fix the reason it is rubbing, but at least it will heal and prevent a new wound.

saltorian

Oh, God, yes. I'm so glad I'm not the only one! My transmitter seems to chafe the underside of my left breast, and I have no idea how. Maybe my sports bra isn't tight enough? Anyway, it sucks.

yeabby

I've never had that problem. Just a few ideas - It's too loose? tight? It needs to be moved up or down a bit? Otherwise you may be able to wrap a piece of soft cloth around the hook without covering the sensors.

CeejayGee

Oh, God, yes. I'm so glad I'm not the only one! My transmitter seems to chafe the underside of my left breast, and I have no idea how. Maybe my sports bra isn't tight enough? Anyway, it sucks.

It HURTS too. And once it was so bad (b/c I ended up wearing the HRM for like 3 hours) that I had this scab for a week!

sarahsmom1

Doesn't happen try readjusting it or put a piece of soft fabric like a fuzzy sock not to much to where it would effect the use of the chest band

CeejayGee

I've never had that problem. Just a few ideas - It's too loose? tight? It needs to be moved up or down a bit? Otherwise you may be able to wrap a piece of soft cloth around the hook without covering the sensors.

Well, it can't really move up anymore b/c I have breasts - so, the strap basically runs right underneat my the elastic band of my bra.

I suppose I can try tightening it and seeing if that helps, though it's somewhat snug.

The bandaid idea is a good one. It'll at least protect the area! Or I thought about wrapping gauze around the clip where it attaches, to make it softer.

leftymac

Mine does it too when I wear it for over an hour. I've resorted to putting a folded paper towel between me and the hook.

CeejayGee

Mine does it too when I wear it for over an hour. I've resorted to putting a folded paper towel between me and the hook.

Good idea. And, good to see it does it to a guy too. I thought maybe it was just a boob thing...

shar140

I've never had that problem, but my watch is an older F6 model (which needs new batteries and I don't want to part with it to send it in for service! :sad: but I digress...) Does it have the same T-31 type transmitter?

I'd also suggest maybe using a band-aid or even athletic tape to cover that spot, to at least help protect your skin.

SueInAz

I've never had that problem, but my watch is an older F6 model (which needs new batteries and I don't want to part with it to send it in for service! :sad: but I digress...) Does it have the same T-31 type transmitter?

I'd also suggest maybe using a band-aid or even athletic tape to cover that spot, to at least help protect your skin.

I couldn't find a small enough screw driver to open the back of my watch, so I took it to a watch shop at the local mall. $10 and 20 minutes later, I had a new battery installed. Wouldn't hurt to take it to one in your area to see if they can replace it for you.

mish26

Can you try body glide there? I don't use a HRM, so Idon't know if that would affect it or not. I'm afraid a bandaid would rub too.

shar140

I've never had that problem, but my watch is an older F6 model (which needs new batteries and I don't want to part with it to send it in for service! :sad: but I digress...) Does it have the same T-31 type transmitter?

I'd also suggest maybe using a band-aid or even athletic tape to cover that spot, to at least help protect your skin.

I couldn't find a small enough screw driver to open the back of my watch, so I took it to a watch shop at the local mall. $10 and 20 minutes later, I had a new battery installed. Wouldn't hurt to take it to one in your area to see if they can replace it for you.

What about the transmitter? Do I just have to get a new one? (I *do* need a new elastic strap anyways, it's going on 3 years and isn't so elastic anymore lol)

Calidaho

http://www.bikemania.biz/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=NuMetrex_Bra

This looks like it could solve the chafing problem.

deanadimples

I have problems too!! I have the F4

I first had it from the strap, under my transmitter. But that was only once. I tightened it up and it helped. I think that chafing comes from it moving around once you are sweating and moving around.

I get chafing in another spot....

I wear the transmitter between "the girls" best I can..so that the strap rides above the strap of my sports bra. The problem I get is the girls get chafed from hitting the transmitter. And I wear 2 sports bras!! This is only when I run on the treadmill as I run for 30 consistent minutes. It's horrible...I've chafed so bad that I've actual CUT the girls and have scars from after it healed. And HOLY HURTS in the shower when the soap washes away the sweat and it all gets in the chafes!!

So last time I ran, I put some t paper between the transmitter and the girls. It helped. Never thought I'd have to pad my DDs!!! lol

dad106

I have problems too!! I have the F4

I first had it from the strap, under my transmitter. But that was only once. I tightened it up and it helped. I think that chafing comes from it moving around once you are sweating and moving around.

I get chafing in another spot....

I wear the transmitter between "the girls" best I can..so that the strap rides above the strap of my sports bra. The problem I get is the girls get chafed from hitting the transmitter. And I wear 2 sports bras!! This is only when I run on the treadmill as I run for 30 consistent minutes. It's horrible...I've chafed so bad that I've actual CUT the girls and have scars from after it healed. And HOLY HURTS in the shower when the soap washes away the sweat and it all gets in the chafes!!

So last time I ran, I put some t paper between the transmitter and the girls. It helped. Never thought I'd have to pad my DDs!!! lol

Are you wearing it over the girls or under? Your supposed to be wearing it under... like the bottom of the sports bra, and then the strap should sit flush against the bottom of the bra.

To OP: I have an FT7 and have never had an issue with chaffing... I think that a bandaid or maybe wrapping a piece of medical tape around that area should help.

yeabby

I've never had that problem, but my watch is an older F6 model (which needs new batteries and I don't want to part with it to send it in for service! :sad: but I digress...) Does it have the same T-31 type transmitter?

I'd also suggest maybe using a band-aid or even athletic tape to cover that spot, to at least help protect your skin.

This is super easy to do. Don't send it off. Just be careful. Pull the screws and take the back off. There's a little gasket make sure it stays in place. This is the reason they say you have to send it off. Replace the battery (CR2032). Put back on again and make sure gasket is still there. Replace the screws. I just did it with my F6 a month or so ago.

Edit - Your transmitter will still work. Replace it only if you need to.

deanadimples

Are you wearing it over the girls or under? Your supposed to be wearing it under... like the bottom of the sports bra, and then the strap should sit flush against the bottom of the bra.

Under.....it's the underside of the girls that get chafed.

The strap for the F4 is just above the bra strap. Best I can figure, my bras still have some wiggle room even though it's tight with the 2 bras together. They still seem to move just enough that I get a repetitive movement againsnt the corners of the F4. I've tried all difefrent spots, with the room I have to work with in there. And it's only if I run 30 mins straight. If I do a regular workout with various exercises, I'm fine. But if I run, it's like they move just enough against the transmitter to cut. So...I pad.

CeejayGee

The strap for the F4 is just above the bra strap. Best I can figure, my bras still have some wiggle room even though it's tight with the 2 bras together. They still seem to move just enough that I get a repetitive movement againsnt the corners of the F4. I've tried all difefrent spots, with the room I have to work with in there. And it's only if I run 30 mins straight. If I do a regular workout with various exercises, I'm fine. But if I run, it's like they move just enough against the transmitter to cut. So...I pad.

Can you move it down just a bit? So that the girls don't touch it, but it's still within reach to measure heart?

deanadimples

There isnt much room to move it down...it's nearly to the strap of my bras. Im hoping I will eventually lose enough cup size. Then maybe I will be able to find a more "cuplike" sports bra to try.

dad106

There isnt much room to move it down...it's nearly to the strap of my bras. Im hoping I will eventually lose enough cup size. Then maybe I will be able to find a more "cuplike" sports bra to try.

Did you ever look at Under Armor? Last time I was at their outlet, they had a lot of sports bras with cup sizes and I want to say they went up to DD.. it's something to look into.

tallgyrl19

OMG I am so glad I found this board. I am a 38D and I have lately taken up running. Today in the shower I discovered I had huge sores on the underside of my boobs. I was raw!!! I was very worried about how they could have got there. I reconstructed my outfit, and discovered that my breasts were rubbing against the hrm transmitter. It appears that the transmitter was inside of my bra this run and chaffed my poor girls raw! I have had a polar FT7 for a year and never had this problem but I wasn't running. I have worn this strap during other exercises but it appears that my new aggressive running workout, my large breasts, and a misplaced strap caused me a lot of discomfort during my shower.

I have noticed the difference in my stamina and running allows me to burn the most calories in the shortest time so I refuse to stop but I have to be diligent about the placement of the strap or cover it with something so the girls don't rub against it. I wear a good expensive supportive bra so I'm not having problems with support. Any ideas on what to cover the transmitter with?

deanadimples

Today in the shower I discovered I had huge sores on the underside of my boobs. I was raw!!! I was very worried about how they could have got there. I reconstructed my outfit, and discovered that my breasts were rubbing against the hrm transmitter. It appears that the transmitter was inside of my bra this run and chaffed my poor girls raw! I have had a polar FT7 for a year and never had this problem but I wasn't running. I have worn this strap during other exercises but it appears that my new aggressive running workout, my large breasts, and a misplaced strap caused me a lot of discomfort during my shower.

Any ideas on what to cover the transmitter with?

EXACTLY my problem! I only get it when I run and it has been so bad that I have literally cut the girls.

One thing that helped was a bra I found. I was wearing 2 sports bras for extra support. At Scheel's I found a "Moving Comfort" sports bra. It is like 2 bras in one. This is nice because the HRM sits under the entire bra, while the girls are in a separate but attached area. And I get decent support when running.

(http://www.movingcomfort.com/Maia/350011,default,pd.html?dwvar_350011_color=420&start=1&cgid=sportsbras-DD)

I did run with it last weekend...and I got some mild chafing. It was the first time. THIS time from the underwires in the layer that my girls are in...the underwires are cotton but the fabric is a little rough. If it was a satin fabric I don't think I would have the chafing so much.

What has helped me most...is putting something in my bra. Who would have thought a 38DD would EVER pad, but I do. I've tried a paper towel section and even toilet paper (gets too wet from sweat). I'd try anything if it works! I wondered about the chafing sticks you can get at sports stores. Or even wearing one of those "sticky" cups between it.

SueInAz

I've never had that problem, but my watch is an older F6 model (which needs new batteries and I don't want to part with it to send it in for service! :sad: but I digress...) Does it have the same T-31 type transmitter?

I'd also suggest maybe using a band-aid or even athletic tape to cover that spot, to at least help protect your skin.

I couldn't find a small enough screw driver to open the back of my watch, so I took it to a watch shop at the local mall. $10 and 20 minutes later, I had a new battery installed. Wouldn't hurt to take it to one in your area to see if they can replace it for you.

What about the transmitter? Do I just have to get a new one? (I *do* need a new elastic strap anyways, it's going on 3 years and isn't so elastic anymore lol)

I had actually taken the transmitter in at the same time, because it had been awhile since I'd used the HRM and wasn't sure if I'd need to replace both. He said the battery in the transmitter was fine and didn't replace it. He was right, 3 months later and it is still working just fine. I'll probably take it to the same place when it starts to die.

You can certainly buy just a new strap. I know Polar sells just the strap part, without the transmitter, for a reasonable price.

jaxCarrie

Try body glide or Bag Balm (the stuff for cow udders in the green tin)....i find it real helpful, I put a layer around the base of my bra (where the monitor runs) and haven't been screaming when i get in the shower when the water hits the raw skin!

robinlschaefer

:happy: So happy to hear I am NOT crazy. I am training for my 1st half marathon and have the FT7 and experiencing the same thing. I have gone to double bras with no luck. Today was only a 5 mile day and the underside of both my breast have a 1/2 abrasion. I thought I was fine until I stepped in the shower. I am looking for a new bra. I measure a 36C and hate any bounce. Any advice would be great. I wasn't sure it was the heart rate monitor or the elastic seam in the bra. Thanks