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Heart rate monitors-chest strap-women
tecat810
Posts: 4,967 Member
Hello!
I’ve been using a chest strap heart monitor that pairs with a Garmin Forerunner. Lately, it has not been measuring accurately, as I think it slips around my sports bra and chest (I am full busted). I use a Garmin strap and I also bought a softer one that I had hoped would stay put. Any recommendations for this issue from the ladies? I am frustrated, as I am not getting accurate data in my workouts! Thanks!
I’ve been using a chest strap heart monitor that pairs with a Garmin Forerunner. Lately, it has not been measuring accurately, as I think it slips around my sports bra and chest (I am full busted). I use a Garmin strap and I also bought a softer one that I had hoped would stay put. Any recommendations for this issue from the ladies? I am frustrated, as I am not getting accurate data in my workouts! Thanks!
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Replies
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When did you last change the battery?0
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I always tucked mine up under my sports bra to hold it in place. I use a wrist one now. It's not as accurate, but more comfortable!
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If you need just the HR reading and not any of the other running dynamics that some of the Garmin HR chest straps have, an optical HRM arm strap such as the Scosche RHYTHM+ or Wahoo TICKR FIT work well without the same issues with the "girls". They both feature Bluetooth and ANT compatibility.1
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Have you looked into sportsbras that hold the HR monitor?0
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Start by making sure it's clean, especially the contact sensors.
Then make sure the battery has some life left.
Lastly, replace the strap - they don't last forever.1 -
FireOpalCO wrote: »Have you looked into sportsbras that hold the HR monitor?
No! I didn’t know those existed. Thanks!
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I bought a new one that is more flexible and it has the same issues as the old one. I don't think battery?MeanderingMammal wrote: »When did you last change the battery?
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Hello!
I’ve been using a chest strap heart monitor that pairs with a Garmin Forerunner. Lately, it has not been measuring accurately, as I think it slips around my sports bra and chest (I am full busted). I use a Garmin strap and I also bought a softer one that I had hoped would stay put. Any recommendations for this issue from the ladies? I am frustrated, as I am not getting accurate data in my workouts! Thanks!
they arent going to be 100% accurate anyway. they just estimate calories burned . but I get what you are talking about. I wasnt blessed with a full bust. you could always wear it above your breast? like across the top of them? many women do that instead of underneath. hope you find a solution4 -
Is the strap tight enough? I read somewhere 100 years ago that the strap (before it’s stretched) should be about 8 inches smaller than the measurement for wherever you’re wearing it. That seems to be about right for me so when it’s stretched it stays in place. I wear mine right below the band of my sports bra and it only slips around if the band has loosened up.
I have DDD cups but also wear a quality sports bra that doesn’t move or shift around either (kind of a necessity at my size but if your bra shifts at all, that might contribute to the problem).1 -
Duck_Puddle wrote: »Is the strap tight enough? I read somewhere 100 years ago that the strap (before it’s stretched) should be about 8 inches smaller than the measurement for wherever you’re wearing it. That seems to be about right for me so when it’s stretched it stays in place. I wear mine right below the band of my sports bra and it only slips around if the band has loosened up.
I have DDD cups but also wear a quality sports bra that doesn’t move or shift around either (kind of a necessity at my size but if your bra shifts at all, that might contribute to the problem).
Thank you! I will try that. Maybe that is an issue. I might need to invest in a few more brooks sports bras. Those seem to work the best as well and that may be the culprit. I have two that are champion and don’t have as much tautness to the material for holding in place.
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Duck_Puddle wrote: »Is the strap tight enough? I read somewhere 100 years ago that the strap (before it’s stretched) should be about 8 inches smaller than the measurement for wherever you’re wearing it. That seems to be about right for me so when it’s stretched it stays in place. I wear mine right below the band of my sports bra and it only slips around if the band has loosened up.
I have DDD cups but also wear a quality sports bra that doesn’t move or shift around either (kind of a necessity at my size but if your bra shifts at all, that might contribute to the problem).
Thank you! I will try that. Maybe that is an issue. I might need to invest in a few more brooks sports bras. Those seem to work the best as well and that may be the culprit. I have two that are champion and don’t have as much tautness to the material for holding in place.
I also wear Moving Comfort (now Brooks) Maia bras. I have some Champion bras that are Ok and some that aren’t but I find the Maia works best for running. It seems the more movement there is in that area for me, the more the HRM strap gets jostled a little-especially if it’s not tight enough to begin with.
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Yes that’s exactly the issue. Today was burpees and a measurement of my heart rate at 89. Don’t think so!!
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I bought a new one that is more flexible and it has the same issues as the old one. I don't think battery?MeanderingMammal wrote: »When did you last change the battery?
Ok, so two different sensors?
What do you mean by not accurate? High, low, intermittent?0 -
MeanderingMammal wrote: »
I bought a new one that is more flexible and it has the same issues as the old one. I don't think battery?MeanderingMammal wrote: »When did you last change the battery?
Ok, so two different sensors?
What do you mean by not accurate? High, low, intermittent?
Yes, I have a Garmin that has more plastic on the sensor, and then another that is soft all the way around and then just more rubbery where the sensor meets the skin.
By inaccurate I mean low.
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MeanderingMammal wrote: »
I bought a new one that is more flexible and it has the same issues as the old one. I don't think battery?MeanderingMammal wrote: »When did you last change the battery?
Ok, so two different sensors?
What do you mean by not accurate? High, low, intermittent?
Yes, I have a Garmin that has more plastic on the sensor, and then another that is soft all the way around and then just more rubbery where the sensor meets the skin.
By inaccurate I mean low.
Ok, thanks. All sounds a little odd if it's been reading ok and suddenly started to read low, and that's replicated with a second device. That might suggest a change in your body composition.
I'd echo the comments from @The_Enginerd, try the models that fit on the upper arm. That limits the issues around a bra and the only data you lose is the intra-beat stability and strength metrics. Most head-ends don't use that data anyway.0 -
When I wore a chest strap hrm I made sure it was super snug and wore it directly underneath my (bombproof) bra strap. Never had issues.
I've moved over to a strapless one now--Garmin Fenix 5S and couldn't be happier. The only time I have to wear a strap is if I care about my heart rate when swimming.0 -
I get the best results when I put the strap on first, right where the lowest part of my bra will be, then wear a Brooks Fiona sports bra over it. That usually prevents it from sliding around and getting inaccurate readings.
The only other things I can suggest trying that haven’t already been mentioned is to make sure you’re putting the sensor in the middle of your chest and have rinsed off any sweat buildup from previous workouts.0 -
I assume you're wetting the inner surface of the contact area, if the band instructions recommend it? (Both my old Polar and my newer Garmin bands recommend that.)0
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I assume you're wetting the inner surface of the contact area, if the band instructions recommend it? (Both my old Polar and my newer Garmin bands recommend that.)
Yes definitely. Today only a bike ride and no movement. It’s definitely a “staying in place” issue for the more movement oriented workouts.
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I assume you're wetting the inner surface of the contact area, if the band instructions recommend it? (Both my old Polar and my newer Garmin bands recommend that.)
Yes definitely. Today only a bike ride and no movement. It’s definitely a “staying in place” issue for the more movement oriented workouts.
What are you hoping to gain from using it for that type of session?0 -
What are you hoping to gain from using it for that type of session?[/quote]
I honestly like the data. It tells me how hard I am working, if I need to push it more, etc. I use that to tell me my calorie burn too. I think it’s a little more accurate than the generic calorie expenditures based on time alone.
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I honestly like the data. It tells me how hard I am working, if I need to push it more, etc. I use that to tell me my calorie burn too.
That's understandable, so relative numbers rather than absolute?
Again, I think you take the assets out of the equation and use an arm or wrist sensor.
Which Forerunner model do you use?I think it’s a little more accurate than the generic calorie expenditures based on time alone.
That's highly unlikely. HR isn't a reliable basis for a calorie estimate where you've got variations in HR, out where you've got HR deviations as a result of strength type activity.
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I honestly like the data. It tells me how hard I am working, if I need to push it more, etc. I use that to tell me my calorie burn too. I think it’s a little more accurate than the generic calorie expenditures based on time alone.
I always wear a HRM with my Garmin, either an optical armband one or a Garmin Run chest strap depending on what I'm doing. I too like having the data and as a way to provide feedback on effort. I still use distance for my calorie burns because it provides more consistent and reliable counts. Using HR data, even with a Garmin HRM and the FirstBeat algorithm, the Garmin seems to match on average, but it varies quite a fair amount from run to run due to weather. Weather effects HR, but the watch has no way of knowing that (actually mine does have a temperature sensor...) and it's not factored into algorithm used to estimate calorie expenditure. The estimates are always high when it's hot and low when it cools off. Providing you are running the whole time and not doing a run/walk, using distance is actually very good for calorie estimates.
Net Calories = 0.63 * (Distance in Miles) * (Weight in Pounds)
Based on years of food/exercise logging and long term weight tracking at mileage running from 60+ MPW to nada, the above formula has been very reliable in my experience.2 -
The_Enginerd wrote: »
I honestly like the data. It tells me how hard I am working, if I need to push it more, etc. I use that to tell me my calorie burn too. I think it’s a little more accurate than the generic calorie expenditures based on time alone.
I always wear a HRM with my Garmin, either an optical armband one or a Garmin Run chest strap depending on what I'm doing. I too like having the data and as a way to provide feedback on effort. I still use distance for my calorie burns because it provides more consistent and reliable counts. Using HR data, even with a Garmin HRM and the FirstBeat algorithm, the Garmin seems to match on average, but it varies quite a fair amount from run to run due to weather. Weather effects HR, but the watch has no way of knowing that (actually mine does have a temperature sensor...) and it's not factored into algorithm used to estimate calorie expenditure. The estimates are always high when it's hot and low when it cools off. Providing you are running the whole time and not doing a run/walk, using distance is actually very good for calorie estimates.
Net Calories = 0.63 * (Distance in Miles) * (Weight in Pounds)
Based on years of food/exercise logging and long term weight tracking at mileage running from 60+ MPW to nada, the above formula has been very reliable in my experience.
Thank you. That was helpful!
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MeanderingMammal wrote: »I honestly like the data. It tells me how hard I am working, if I need to push it more, etc. I use that to tell me my calorie burn too.
That's understandable, so relative numbers rather than absolute?
Again, I think you take the assets out of the equation and use an arm or wrist sensor.
Which Forerunner model do you use?I think it’s a little more accurate than the generic calorie expenditures based on time alone.
That's highly unlikely. HR isn't a reliable basis for a calorie estimate where you've got variations in HR, out where you've got HR deviations as a result of strength type activity.
I’m using the Garmin forerunner 35. The wrist hear rate measures too low on me, so I like the addition of the chest strap. I’ll have to look at the arm band! It’s a little pricey for my budget at the moment, but could be a good Christmas gift!
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The_Enginerd wrote: »If you need just the HR reading and not any of the other running dynamics that some of the Garmin HR chest straps have, an optical HRM arm strap such as the Scosche RHYTHM+ or Wahoo TICKR FIT work well without the same issues with the "girls". They both feature Bluetooth and ANT compatibility.
I'd second the recommendation for the Scosche Rhythm+. My Garmin (FR935) has an optical heart rate sensor which works pretty well tracking my HR during non-exercise activities, but it goes completely whacky once I elevate my HR with exercise - to the point of being basically useless. I wear the Rhythm+ high on my upper arm (right around the bicep/deltoid junction) and it tracks much more accurately and consistently. And the location should completely eliminate OP's problem encountered with chest straps.
Good review of the Rhythm+ here, courtesy of DCRainmaker: https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2014/05/scosche-antbluetooth-optical.html1 -
The_Enginerd wrote: »If you need just the HR reading and not any of the other running dynamics that some of the Garmin HR chest straps have, an optical HRM arm strap such as the Scosche RHYTHM+ or Wahoo TICKR FIT work well without the same issues with the "girls". They both feature Bluetooth and ANT compatibility.
I'd second the recommendation for the Scosche Rhythm+. My Garmin (FR935) has an optical heart rate sensor which works pretty well tracking my HR during non-exercise activities, but it goes completely whacky once I elevate my HR with exercise - to the point of being basically useless. I wear the Rhythm+ high on my upper arm (right around the bicep/deltoid junction) and it tracks much more accurately and consistently. And the location should completely eliminate OP's problem encountered with chest straps.
Good review of the Rhythm+ here, courtesy of DCRainmaker: https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2014/05/scosche-antbluetooth-optical.html
Thank you!!0 -
Ok, biting the bullet and paying for a schosche. I want accuracy!!0
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The k
Thank you for the recommendation!! I used it today and love it!! It works!The_Enginerd wrote: »If you need just the HR reading and not any of the other running dynamics that some of the Garmin HR chest straps have, an optical HRM arm strap such as the Scosche RHYTHM+ or Wahoo TICKR FIT work well without the same issues with the "girls". They both feature Bluetooth and ANT compatibility.
I'd second the recommendation for the Scosche Rhythm+. My Garmin (FR935) has an optical heart rate sensor which works pretty well tracking my HR during non-exercise activities, but it goes completely whacky once I elevate my HR with exercise - to the point of being basically useless. I wear the Rhythm+ high on my upper arm (right around the bicep/deltoid junction) and it tracks much more accurately and consistently. And the location should completely eliminate OP's problem encountered with chest straps.
Good review of the Rhythm+ here, courtesy of DCRainmaker: https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2014/05/scosche-antbluetooth-optical.html
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The k
Thank you for the recommendation!! I used it today and love it!! It works!The_Enginerd wrote: »If you need just the HR reading and not any of the other running dynamics that some of the Garmin HR chest straps have, an optical HRM arm strap such as the Scosche RHYTHM+ or Wahoo TICKR FIT work well without the same issues with the "girls". They both feature Bluetooth and ANT compatibility.
I'd second the recommendation for the Scosche Rhythm+. My Garmin (FR935) has an optical heart rate sensor which works pretty well tracking my HR during non-exercise activities, but it goes completely whacky once I elevate my HR with exercise - to the point of being basically useless. I wear the Rhythm+ high on my upper arm (right around the bicep/deltoid junction) and it tracks much more accurately and consistently. And the location should completely eliminate OP's problem encountered with chest straps.
Good review of the Rhythm+ here, courtesy of DCRainmaker: https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2014/05/scosche-antbluetooth-optical.html
Glad to hear it worked out for you!
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