HR monitor help

[Saudade]

Hi All. I don't "go" here but I was wondering if you could help me with my HRM issues?

I have a Garmin vivoactive 3. It works intermittently during my workouts to measure my HR. My main workouts are spin (in the winter) and biking (in spring/summer/fall). It will read 130s then 70s then 130s all in the span of 5 seconds. It seems as my wrist gets sweatier, it is more inconsistent. Due to the inconsistency, I decided to get a polar chest strap monitor. I get it wet and place it under my breasts, I assume this is the correct location?

However, it has also started to do this same thing. I assume it's due to positioning. So I'm bent over and my abdominal fat pushes it up? Do I need to make sure I'm in more of a straight position? 

It happens so frequently that I'm getting really frustrated with it and I'm not sure if there is a way to fix this or if there is a different product that works better? Any thoughts?

[breezy8407]

I have the same watch, and I have had the same experience with the optical HR monitor alone. It does best when I am running, but doesn't do well with interval type stuff when cycling indoors or my strength workouts.

I have a Wahoo Tickr chest strap and it sits under the band of my sports bra, so like you describe. I replace the battery when it starts to lag, which I had to do yesterday actually. I also think the strap itself can sometimes stop working over time. I find generic replacements on Amazon that fit most sensors.

Sometimes I will hold the HR monitor against my chest because I don't think it makes good contact until I get warmed up and sweaty, even after I get the strap wet with water before starting. Tightening the strap sometimes helps. Overtime I think it gets stretched.

All that to say, I have had the same experience many times and its super annoying since I base my workouts on HR and overall calorie burn (aim for x amount depending on workout). It sounds like you are doing everything right.

[sadlebred]

HRMs are quirky in general. I've had the best luck with a Garmin chest strap. Now that I can't use a chest strap, I've been alternating between the Wahoo TICKR arm HRM and another one I got off of Amazon. They are optical as well. For any optical HRM, tighten the band as much as you can without cutting off your circulation. My theory is that as you move your hand/wrist, the HRM comes off of the skin ever so slightly, which messes up the heart rate reading.

For a chest strap, make sure it's tight. The manufacturer should have a tech guide that will tell you where to put it for the best sensor reading. I also know people that swear by this stuff: bit.ly/2LhM5Hk. It's only about $8, so why not try it?

[Saudade]

sadlebred , breezy8407 , thank you both. I am glad to know I'm not the only one with this issue as I was starting to feel like I was. I'll tighten the watch and chest strap and see if that helps, and try the gel from Amazon.

I'm sure my super sag bags don't help either as my sports bra gets stuck with the strap 😳

[sadlebred]

Google "Heart Rate Monitor Bra." You'll come up with a couple of bras you actually attach your HRM to. It might be something to look into. Be aware that some of the bras are compatible with only certain HRMs.