Question about Polar FT4 Heart Rate Monitor

Marig0ld
Marig0ld Posts: 671 Member
edited September 30 in Fitness and Exercise
Hi! My new Polar FT4 HRM just came yesterday and I'm so excited to try it! I just had one question about it, and I guess about HRMs in general...

Why do the electrode things have to be wet before you put on the chest strap? And how soon do you have to start working out after the moistened chest strap is on? For example, if I put on the chest strap and worked out 15 minutes later (after driving to the gym and getting ready), would it still work?

Sorry if this is too elementary, but I'm new to the HRM world. So please try to be nice :-) Thanks!

Replies

  • bethdris
    bethdris Posts: 1,090 Member
    I just got my Polar FT4 in the mail a few days ago. I workout at home, but got on the treadmill a few mins after I wet the chest strap. I think I'd wait to get to the gym, then wet it and go! :)
  • MissAnjy
    MissAnjy Posts: 2,480 Member
    I would wet it once you get to the gym. Just run it under a tap. Sometimes if it's not wet enough, it won't pickup your HR. It needs to attach to you skin & be tight against you to get the HR.
  • marianeo
    marianeo Posts: 161 Member
    I use a a polar FT4, sometimes I forget to wet the chest strap, and it works perfectly fine, same readings for similar exercises as when I wet the strap, so I'd say make sure it's is flat against your chest at all times, press the start button once on the watch to check it is reading your heart rate, then you are good to go. Just press start again on the watch when you are ready to start your workout!!
  • hjy319
    hjy319 Posts: 269 Member
    I have done that where I put it on before leaving, I had not had any problems with doing that. I have found out though that the strap seems to wearing out lately, my trainer said that happens if they are used alot, the sweat breaks down the sensors. :( So off to buy a new strap.
  • lollie1285
    lollie1285 Posts: 239 Member
    I wet it before I leave the house and then get to the gym around 30 minutes later. Always works like a charm for me.
  • ninpiggy
    ninpiggy Posts: 228 Member
    Yeah, I doubt it matters too much - as long as it's picking up your HR. Once you start sweating, it will get plenty wet anyway!
  • Marig0ld
    Marig0ld Posts: 671 Member
    Yeah, I doubt it matters too much - as long as it's picking up your HR. Once you start sweating, it will get plenty wet anyway!

    Yeah, I got to the gym and started sweating within minutes! So I don't think I will be having any problems. It's interesting to try the HRM on different machines. I found out that the elliptical was being too generous with the calorie burn (boo), but the spin bike and the treadmill were cheating me! Best purchase I ever made.

    Thanks everyone for your input.
  • ThumperWabbt
    ThumperWabbt Posts: 82 Member
    I've always wet HR straps before leaving the house...you're going to start sweating under it and the moisture will be there when you need it later...
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