Polar HRM

fidgit813
fidgit813 Posts: 20 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
I have an issue with my (relatively new) HRM--sometimes it just doesn't register my HR and I get VERY agitated by it. In fact, I've stopped wearing it completely at this point because I got tired of going for a run, only to have it say I burned 50 calories. I've tried tightening the band (to the point I have red indentations around my chest) and it just doesn't work.

Any suggestions?

Replies

  • judykat7
    judykat7 Posts: 576 Member
    When you relatively new does that mean it is used and may not have worked for someone else? I have the FT 40 and it has not failed to work other than when I failed to tighten it up after having lost a few inches I guess. But it still does not need to be tight to the point of being uncomfortable. Are you getting plenty of moisture? Also are you checking it and seeing it stop or do you just feel you aren't getting enough burn registered? For me the counts are way lower than MFP calculates.
  • aakaakaak
    aakaakaak Posts: 1,240 Member
    Clean your sensor points regularly...like, after every workout. If you still have issues there's some sensor cream you can get on the cheap to help your connection.

    It's possible you just got a bad one. Try the cleaning stuff first. Invisible salt and grime builds up quickly and mucks up your results.
  • sjp_511
    sjp_511 Posts: 476 Member
    I used to have a Polar HRM but now I use my Garmin. I was taught to lick the sensors before placing it on the skin. I have also noticed weird HR readings & calories burned when I am wearing with an underwire bra. Seems to cause some sort of interference.
  • acampbe2umd
    acampbe2umd Posts: 145 Member
    If I don't properly wet the chest strap, I get false readings with mine as well. Do you wet it first?
  • fidgit813
    fidgit813 Posts: 20 Member
    I meant relatively as in I purchased it about 6 months ago. I glance at it while working out and it says 0, I used to joke that I was dead and that meant I didn't have to lift/run anymore :smile:

    I do usually wet the strap first, but maybe not enough and I've never heard of cleaning the contacts. I'll give it a try for my run this afternoon and see if it works again. Thanks!
  • acampbe2umd
    acampbe2umd Posts: 145 Member
    When mine reads 0, it's mostly due to my lack of getting it wet enough on the front end. The other problem I have, especially in a boot camp, is I'll stretch my arms overhead or something and it will move out of range of motion or whatever it does. I would get so irritated by it that now I make sure it's wet and then I move my arms around and twist and turn to make sure that it's still getting a read before I begin my exercise.
  • fidgit813
    fidgit813 Posts: 20 Member
    Ugh...so I went to grab it and get ready for my run and the battery is dead...so looks like I'm waiting a couple of days to test your advice.
  • Still1Workoutatatime
    Still1Workoutatatime Posts: 250 Member
    Clean your sensor points regularly...like, after every workout. If you still have issues there's some sensor cream you can get on the cheap to help your connection.

    It's possible you just got a bad one. Try the cleaning stuff first. Invisible salt and grime builds up quickly and mucks up your results.
  • EmilyOfTheSun
    EmilyOfTheSun Posts: 1,548 Member
    Make sure you get the strap wet before you put it on.
  • bethvandenberg
    bethvandenberg Posts: 1,496 Member
    do you wet the sensors a little before strapping on? Sometimes that is what gives a better read (i think because it sticks to you)
  • tomomatic
    tomomatic Posts: 1,794 Member
    How wet are the straps when you put them on? For a while, I was just dabbing a little water with a wet finger and it worked fine when I first bought it. Nowadays, I put the contacts under the running water to ensure that it's fully soaked.

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