Is there such a thing as a waterproof heart rate monitor?

BlueEyedTXmom

I want to get a HRM so I can truly see how many calories I'm burning. I have a Go Wear Fit that I never really use. I get most of my exercise from water aerobics or swimming and I'd like to see how much I'm burning during those. Are there any HRMs that are designed for water use? And which do you recommend?

nafroese

My Polar FT7 is supposed to be water proof up to a certain depth but I don't remember what it is, if you are looking for a good one try looking up Polar Heart Rate Monitors! I have had mine about 5 months and would never go back!

BlueEyedTXmom

Thanks! I will look them up.

susanloveszumba

yep the polar ft7 is but it just says not to push any buttons while its wet. i have used it in the pool and it worked fine!

andrejjorje

Yes, Polar CRX5 which was designed for swimmers. So not only the watch but also the chest strap is waterproof.

mamamc03

Polar ft4
I used it all summer in the pool.

GeneaCindy

yep the polar ft7 is but it just says not to push any buttons while its wet. i have used it in the pool and it worked fine!

^this^

sara_m83

I have a Garmin Forerunner 305, which is waterproof, but the heart rate strap does not take readings while submerged. When I swim, I take 10-20 second breaks every 500m or so to stand in the shallow end and get a HR reading. The watch, however, has no issues with submersion and calculates speed, distance, and time just fine.

Samerah12

Garmin also makes several models for people who do triathlons but I couldn't tell you off the top of my head which ones are waterproof. The main difference between Polar and Garmin is that Garmin will also tell you distance and pace information if you're interested in that.

tammietifanie

Polar FT7 which i have says it's waterproof up to 50 meters

andrejjorje

I'm not sure guys that you read carefully the OP. She wants to have the HR during swimming. None of FT4 or FT7 or Garmin 305 can do that. The chest strap is not waterproof.

BlueEyedTXmom

Yes, Polar CRX5 which was designed for swimmers. So not only the watch but also the chest strap is waterproof.

Thanks!

stephanielindley422

I'm not sure guys that you read carefully the OP. She wants to have the HR during swimming. None of FT4 or FT7 or Garmin 305 can do that. The chest strap is not waterproof.

I have the FT4. Then instruction manual said it CAN be used in water, but that high chlorine pools may make the reading off a little bit.

andrejjorje

You seeeee!!
The chest strap of CRX5 is called hybrid because it was designed for swimmers.

I'm not sure guys that you read carefully the OP. She wants to have the HR during swimming. None of FT4 or FT7 or Garmin 305 can do that. The chest strap is not waterproof.

I have the FT4. Then instruction manual said it CAN be used in water, but that high chlorine pools may make the reading off a little bit.

dad106

You seeeee!!
The chest strap of CRX5 is called hybrid because it was designed for swimmers.

I'm not sure guys that you read carefully the OP. She wants to have the HR during swimming. None of FT4 or FT7 or Garmin 305 can do that. The chest strap is not waterproof.

I have the FT4. Then instruction manual said it CAN be used in water, but that high chlorine pools may make the reading off a little bit.

And how much is you're precious CRX5? It may be out of her price range.

Plus, most people want an HRM that does more then swimming.. ever stop to consider that?

OP:
Look at Polar.. and decide what you want it to do. I know both my FT7 and FT60 can go in water.. I've never personally tried it, but they are able too.

himiller3

I'm not sure guys that you read carefully the OP. She wants to have the HR during swimming. None of FT4 or FT7 or Garmin 305 can do that. The chest strap is not waterproof.

The back of my FT7 cheststrap monitor reads: 30M. I'd say that's plenty waterproof enough for swimming in a pool.. The instruction manual also says both the watch and the chest strap are safe for swimming use.

BlueEyedTXmom

Ok when I went to the Polar website and use their product finder and select swimming as my activity the RS100, FT4 and the FT7 come up. Those are the only ones that come up. I think the CRX5 might only be in the UK? When I google it I don't find any US sites. One of the reviews on Amazon says the FT4 is water resistant. But is this just for the watch or also the chest strap?

BlueEyedTXmom

I'm not sure guys that you read carefully the OP. She wants to have the HR during swimming. None of FT4 or FT7 or Garmin 305 can do that. The chest strap is not waterproof.

The back of my FT7 cheststrap monitor reads: 30M. I'd say that's plenty waterproof enough for swimming in a pool.. The instruction manual also says both the watch and the chest strap are safe for swimming use.

Thank you! That is what I needed to know, that the chest strap is ok in the water. Most watches are.

fitjunk

I can use my Polar FT60 in the pool! Love it! Seems that we did read the OP carefully. :laugh:

dad106

Ok when I went to the Polar website and use their product finder and select swimming as my activity the RS100, FT4 and the FT7 come up. Those are the only ones that come up. I think the CRX5 might only be in the UK? When I google it I don't find any US sites. One of the reviews on Amazon says the FT4 is water resistant. But is this just for the watch or also the chest strap?

What that poster meant is RCX5(So damn pushy about his HRM and can't even spell it right.. shows how much he knows!) Plus it's 400 dollars according to the Polar site.. so unless you have a serious chunk of change to drop, I'd avoid it.

When Polar says water resistant both the watch and the strap are, up to 30 meters as another poster stated. Just don't push the buttons of the watch in the water..make sure you are fully standing up before doing so.

Also wash the strap well after to get the chlorine out.

Rachiepie6

POLAR FT60 !!
I love it! I'm a swimmer and it performs great IMO.

himiller3

I'm not sure guys that you read carefully the OP. She wants to have the HR during swimming. None of FT4 or FT7 or Garmin 305 can do that. The chest strap is not waterproof.

The back of my FT7 cheststrap monitor reads: 30M. I'd say that's plenty waterproof enough for swimming in a pool.. The instruction manual also says both the watch and the chest strap are safe for swimming use.

Thank you! That is what I needed to know, that the chest strap is ok in the water. Most watches are.

You are welcome! However, the above poster that said the manual states to keep the watch waterproof, don't hit the buttons underwater is also correct

Also of note: A) I wet the strap before use, and I rinse the strap off after each use. My chest strap gets soaked in water 6 days a week. (The instructions say to do this and hand wash it once a week in mild detergent)

BlueEyedTXmom

Ok when I went to the Polar website and use their product finder and select swimming as my activity the RS100, FT4 and the FT7 come up. Those are the only ones that come up. I think the CRX5 might only be in the UK? When I google it I don't find any US sites. One of the reviews on Amazon says the FT4 is water resistant. But is this just for the watch or also the chest strap?

What that poster meant is RCX5(So damn pushy about his HRM and can't even spell it right.. shows how much he knows!) Plus it's 400 dollars according to the Polar site.. so unless you have a serious chunk of change to drop, I'd avoid it.

When Polar says water resistant both the watch and the strap are, up to 30 meters as another poster stated. Just don't push the buttons of the watch in the water..make sure you are fully standing up before doing so.

Also wash the strap well after to get the chlorine out.

Thanks! Yes, I definitely do not have $400 to drop on a HRM and even if I did I think I'm too cheap for that. LOL So have you used yours in the water?

andrejjorje

Irrelevant. I was talking about the posters from above. FT60 was not mentioned.

I can use my Polar FT60 in the pool! Love it! Seems that we did read the OP carefully. :laugh:

andrejjorje

Sorry. Irrelevant. She doesn't mention anything about any price in the OP.
CRX5 is a multisport HRM. Read and then write please.
Cheers.

You seeeee!!
The chest strap of CRX5 is called hybrid because it was designed for swimmers.

I'm not sure guys that you read carefully the OP. She wants to have the HR during swimming. None of FT4 or FT7 or Garmin 305 can do that. The chest strap is not waterproof.

I have the FT4. Then instruction manual said it CAN be used in water, but that high chlorine pools may make the reading off a little bit.

And how much is you're precious CRX5? It may be out of her price range.

Plus, most people want an HRM that does more then swimming.. ever stop to consider that?

OP:
Look at Polar.. and decide what you want it to do. I know both my FT7 and FT60 can go in water.. I've never personally tried it, but they are able too.

andrejjorje

Here is the CRX5 on the US polar website.
http://www.polarusa.com/us-en/products/maximize_performance/running_multisport/RCX5

Ok when I went to the Polar website and use their product finder and select swimming as my activity the RS100, FT4 and the FT7 come up. Those are the only ones that come up. I think the CRX5 might only be in the UK? When I google it I don't find any US sites. One of the reviews on Amazon says the FT4 is water resistant. But is this just for the watch or also the chest strap?

andrejjorje

I apologize guys. I did a proper research and indeed the FT4 and FT7 are listed on polar.fi (parent website) as HRMs for swimming.
My bad.

andrejjorje

Exactly this is the difference. Yes you can "read" the other HRMs mentioned above underwater but you cannot use them. You cannot push any button. No laps, no different screen, no pause.
Here is the best review about CRX5 where it's been tested and it does that.Check the swimming section.
http://www.dcrainmaker.com/2011/06/polar-rcx5-in-depth-review.html
I have no intention to fight with anybody. I answer strictly to what the OP asked about it. No more no less.

yep the polar ft7 is but it just says not to push any buttons while its wet. i have used it in the pool and it worked fine!

^this^

keeponkickin

I have used the Polar ft4 and ft7 under water and both have lost my heart rate. I don't like them for water sports.

Newf77

FT7 owner and a swimmer, have had no issues and the owners manual reads both strap and watch are water resistant.

FireballStrike

Bump.