HRM Strap and...a big chest? Ladies?

priescm
priescm Posts: 95
in Fitness and Exercise
So I LOVE my HRM! (I have a Polar Ft7) BUT, I hate the chest strap! I am a lady with 40DDs right now (yeah, hopefully those will shrink up with some weight loss!). :blushing:

Do any other big chested women have issues with their HRM strap? Where exactly do you position it? No matter where I have it, it rubs on either my sports bra or my stomach. It is practically impossible to do any kind of stretching or arm exercise. I try to leave the band kind of loose to see if it helps, but it doesn't. When I take it off, I have a big red mark where it rubbed the entire time during my workout.

Running with it on? YEAH RIGHT. That's just a disaster. The little black part has snapped off more times than I can remember. Imagine my suprise when I run home and go to turn it off and it isn't taking a reading because it was unsnapped on one side.

Am I the only one with this problem? Please tell me no. Does anyone have a suggestion for this issue OTHER than lose some weight? :smile:

Replies

  • amuhlou
    amuhlou Posts: 693 Member
    Hey there ,I just happened to notice the other day on the polar website that you can buy a larger strap. Not sure if that would help in your situation?

    http://www.polarusa.com/us-en/products/accessories/WearLink_Strap

    I position mine right around my solar plexus, just under where my sports bra ends.
  • priescm
    priescm Posts: 95
    Hey there,I just happened to notice the other day on the polar website that you can buy a larger strap.

    http://www.polarusa.com/us-en/products/accessories/WearLink_Strap

    I don't know if I really need a new strap. I mean, it fits around me with room to spare...it's just the little black thing (the transmittor?) that is the problem. :ohwell:
  • rmhand
    rmhand Posts: 1,067 Member
    Mine doesn't run but I do get the red mark simply because my skin can't breath and I'm so warm and sweaty.
  • samlankford
    samlankford Posts: 334
    see I was a very full c, now the "kids" have shrunk and am now a small b.. I just ordered a wrist heart monitor because I do a lot of jumping around (insanity program and p90x2)... was going to order the chest strap one a while ago but I held off.. maybe look for a well rated wrist one for higher impact, save the chest strap for lower inpact exercise like walking or yoga?
  • MegSommer
    MegSommer Posts: 522 Member
    I wear mine right under my chest and put the elastic from my sports bra over top....
  • AmyLRed
    AmyLRed Posts: 856 Member
    I am a DD also, and i also have the ft7!
    I position it just below the band of my sports bra, and i like mine tight. I do have a red mark after, but i do from all my tight spots, the bra, the waist of my pants etc. It is not painful or bothersome for me. I have had a few times where it is not reading the signal well or at all and i have had to adjust the strap or not get a reading from it that day. usually if the strap folds over a little or something but that has only been a few times. Most often i forget it is there and it works great. My transmitter has never popped off, so not sure about that one.
  • kittycarson
    kittycarson Posts: 109
    I have the Polar FT4. I put it directly under my sports bra and make sure it's snug....I am a 32DDD or 32G and I don't have any problems with mine....Maybe, your's could be defective?????
  • mrsdizzyd84
    mrsdizzyd84 Posts: 422 Member
    Here is what I do: When I place the strap on I tuck it right into the crease under my boobs. Then I put my bra on over it and use the band of my bra to help keep it in place. You also need to make sure that you have the strap cinched in tight enough. This works well for me.
  • priescm
    priescm Posts: 95
    I wear mine right under my chest and put the elastic from my sports bra over top....

    I do this mostly...but it will eventually pop off the sensor/transmitter if I jump around too much or run around too much.
  • msudaisy28
    msudaisy28 Posts: 267 Member
    I'm a C and I wear mine just tucked under the bottom of my sports bra. I have a Polar too (don't remember the model off the top of my head). The bra keeps it from moving around so I've never had any problems with rubbing. I've worn it doing everything from yoga to to running to weight lifting and not had a problem with it. Hope you can figure out a good way to wear it because it helps me a ton!
  • amuhlou
    amuhlou Posts: 693 Member
    Hey there,I just happened to notice the other day on the polar website that you can buy a larger strap.

    http://www.polarusa.com/us-en/products/accessories/WearLink_Strap

    I don't know if I really need a new strap. I mean, it fits around me with room to spare...it's just the little black thing (the transmittor?) that is the problem. :ohwell:

    Ahh okay I misread, doesn't seem like it's a strap problem unless maybe your strap is finnicky and has a 'right side up'.

    I've noticed on mine that the transmitter connector is not positioned in the middle of the strap, so sometimes when I put it on the short end goes to the right, while sometimes the short end is on the left if that makes sense.
  • sma83
    sma83 Posts: 479 Member
    I have the same hrm that you do. I am a 38G so I understand the giant boobs getting in the way! The only problem I have had is that if I dont wear a supportive enough bra the girls tend to sag and if lay on top of the black transmitter part it will stop reading. So I have to make sure I wear a really good bra that keeps the girls up. I will get a little red wear the strap is, but nothing that is too bad or causes a lot of discomfort. I wear mine right directly beneath my bra. Hope you find a solution that helps ya out!
  • PrincessLou71186
    PrincessLou71186 Posts: 741 Member
    I was a 38E so I hear you loud and clear.

    I have the FT4 (tried the FT7 but wasn't fussed so thought I'd go for the cheaper model, lol). It took me a few attempts to get it right for me.

    Basically, I wear a t-shirt bra (Google for images is unsure of style), place it between the cups and put my sports bra over the top of it. Never had a problems since I did that.

    Good luck.

    I am now a 36E so although my back size is smaller, the girls are not budging. Still have issues though if I don't wear like mentioned above.
  • ballerina454
    ballerina454 Posts: 73 Member
    I do the same thing as MegSommer. I am a 36G so I have issues too! My polar chest strap stays a lot better than my garmin but I still have to tuck it under the band of my sports bra which I do find extremely annoying because I have to wear a underwired bra and that kinda defeats the whole purpose of the underwire support. I also get the little red rub marks on my sides becuase it cuts into me. Hopefully someday they will find a solution for this problem. I have looked into getting a sports bra that has the HRM built in and all you do is attach the little black thing to it. This is supposed to provide a solution to the rubbing. You can find them here if you are interested. I am just not sure how supportive it would be.

    http://www.barenecessities.com/purelime-maximum-control-wire-free-sports-bra---compatible-with-heart-rate-monitor-not-included--0096-hrm_product.htm?pf_id=PureLime0096HRM

    Hope this helps!
  • Amberetta82
    Amberetta82 Posts: 153 Member
    I have the NB N4 and mine fits comfortably. I'm a DD and put it under the bottom of my sports bra. I don't even notice it after a while. mine is one whole piece. Is your not one whole piece? I think that is what is confusing me the most.
  • amuhlou
    amuhlou Posts: 693 Member
    I do get red marks around my side because I have it as tight as possible (it tends to loosen throughout my workouts) but nothing that I ever notice as far as pain/irritation.

    I'm a C and use a UnderArmour 'compression' style sports bra that really smooshes the girls in place and keeps them there. I will never go back to regular ones.
  • Coyla
    Coyla Posts: 444 Member
    I jumped into this thread, all excited to be a part of the big-chested ladies with HRM strap problems, then realized that since I only seem to lose weight in THAT area, I'm no longer part of the team.

    /cry
  • kcashwheeler
    kcashwheeler Posts: 23 Member
    I position mine right under my chest and it lays directly underneath the band on my sports bra. The bottom band on my sports bra is wide and I think that is what keeps it in place. I've never noticed having any probelms with mine and I wear mine during zumba, running, strength training, etc.
  • Michele7091
    Michele7091 Posts: 256 Member
    I double-bag the girls so mine is usually on there pretty tight. I put both sports bras over it. I get a BAD red mark...so much sometimes that the black transmitter is digging into my boob. Doesn't really bother me until I shower...as soon as the water hits it...HOLY *kitten* it hurts like a mo-fo! So the past few times I have worn my chest strap I've turned it around and put the transmitter on my back. Still works just as well and keeps it from rubbing the girls raw.
  • chelledawg14
    chelledawg14 Posts: 509 Member
    Hi.. I'm sorry to read you find the strap uncomfortable.

    I'm a 40DD/DDD and do not have any problems with the chest strap - I have the Polar FT4. I either wear the transmitter in the front between my boobs or on my left side(same side I wear the watch on), with my sports bra over it so that it doesn't move. I use it for jogging, walking, doing the 30 Day Shred, for Zumba classes, yard work, yoga, etc.... I LOVE it! I have worn it with just an underwire bra with no problems and no discomfort, either. The first time I wore it doing yoga and strength training, I wasn't getting a reading so I had to tighten the strap because it was moving around too much. I even wear the transmitter and watch around the house a lot just to see how many calories I burn doing certain things.
  • priescm
    priescm Posts: 95
    I was a 38E so I hear you loud and clear.

    I have the FT4 (tried the FT7 but wasn't fussed so thought I'd go for the cheaper model, lol). It took me a few attempts to get it right for me.

    Basically, I wear a t-shirt bra (Google for images is unsure of style), place it between the cups and put my sports bra over the top of it. Never had a problems since I did that.

    Good luck.

    I am now a 36E so although my back size is smaller, the girls are not budging. Still have issues though if I don't wear like mentioned above.

    Hmm. I might need to try this. I already wear 2 bras also...espeically for the more vigorous workouts like running or plyometrics. I always put my regular bra on, then my sports bra, then ruffle my HRM strap on up underneath the girls and 2 bras. I think it's my underwire regular bra that is the problem? Maybe if i just switch to no underwire?

    This was like an eye opening statement! haha thanks!
  • priescm
    priescm Posts: 95
    I double-bag the girls so mine is usually on there pretty tight. I put both sports bras over it. I get a BAD red mark...so much sometimes that the black transmitter is digging into my boob. Doesn't really bother me until I shower...as soon as the water hits it...HOLY *kitten* it hurts like a mo-fo! So the past few times I have worn my chest strap I've turned it around and put the transmitter on my back. Still works just as well and keeps it from rubbing the girls raw.

    That is an interesting suggestion. Hmm. I totally feel the pain though! haha That transmitter has edges..and those edges dig in deep! I blistered the first week of using it (been about 6months now). No joke.
  • priescm
    priescm Posts: 95
    Hi.. I'm sorry to read you find the strap uncomfortable.

    I'm a 40DD/DDD and do not have any problems with the chest strap - I have the Polar FT4. I either wear the transmitter in the front between my boobs or on my left side(same side I wear the watch on), with my sports bra over it so that it doesn't move. I use it for jogging, walking, doing the 30 Day Shred, for Zumba classes, yard work, yoga, etc.... I LOVE it! I have worn it with just an underwire bra with no problems and no discomfort, either. The first time I wore it doing yoga and strength training, I wasn't getting a reading so I had to tighten the strap because it was moving around too much. I even wear the transmitter and watch around the house a lot just to see how many calories I burn doing certain things.

    I also love wearing mine for practically everything just to see! I wish it was more comfortable sometimes though! BUT it's worth it to endure the pain and find out that I am burning 200+ calories every time I clean my carpets!
  • priescm
    priescm Posts: 95
    I jumped into this thread, all excited to be a part of the big-chested ladies with HRM strap problems, then realized that since I only seem to lose weight in THAT area, I'm no longer part of the team.

    /cry

    Sorry to disappoint. :cry:
  • priescm
    priescm Posts: 95
    I do the same thing as MegSommer. I am a 36G so I have issues too! My polar chest strap stays a lot better than my garmin but I still have to tuck it under the band of my sports bra which I do find extremely annoying because I have to wear a underwired bra and that kinda defeats the whole purpose of the underwire support. I also get the little red rub marks on my sides becuase it cuts into me. Hopefully someday they will find a solution for this problem. I have looked into getting a sports bra that has the HRM built in and all you do is attach the little black thing to it. This is supposed to provide a solution to the rubbing. You can find them here if you are interested. I am just not sure how supportive it would be.

    http://www.barenecessities.com/purelime-maximum-control-wire-free-sports-bra---compatible-with-heart-rate-monitor-not-included--0096-hrm_product.htm?pf_id=PureLime0096HRM

    Hope this helps!

    Thank you for that link! I really might look into getting one of those! I could probably put that puppy on over my regular bra and see if it helps. Thanks!
  • tmlandis
    tmlandis Posts: 39 Member
    I wear mine right under my chest and put the elastic from my sports bra over top....

    This is what I do as well, and I smear some body glide under it so it doesn't chaff.

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