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HRMs - not on the chest?

secretsamsecretsam Posts: 4,988
in Workshop
Now most cycling HRMs are designed for chest wearing, but what if that's not comfy? I have respiratory issues (Asthma, etc) and am trying to change my breathing, can you wear an HRM on a different part of the body? I'm sure I've seen people wearing them on their arms?
It's just a hill. Get over it.

Posts

  • First.AspectFirst.Aspect Posts: 12,165
    edited January 2022
    The chest straps detect electrical signals from your heart muscle, so no.

    Best bet is wrist mounted, which are optical. In a medical setting these can be placed over various body parts that have sufficient perfusion, but upper arm isn't one that I've seen in the patent work I did.

    Wrist mounted ones on smart watches are okay,.but not as accurate as the chest straps. The signal is weak, or the strap tight. Take your pick.
  • pblakeneypblakeney Posts: 22,967
    I'd politely suggest that if a chest strap is enough to hinder breathing then strenuous exercise is possibly a bad idea. I have asthma.
    The above may be fact, or fiction, I may be serious, I may be jesting.
    I am not sure. You have no chance.
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    PB is the most sensible person on here.
  • WheelspinnerWheelspinner Posts: 6,312
    I use a Garmin HR strap while on the turbo trainer so it can talk to the software, and usually also still have the Apple Watch on my wrist.

    I'm impressed at how consistently they agree on heart rate, rarely more than 1 or 2 BPM difference in the readings.

    However it (obvs) doesn't talk to the trainer software. Do you need that?


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  • joeyhalloranjoeyhalloran Posts: 863
    Are you wearing the cheat strap too tight?

    I use my Garmin forerunner watch to broadcast my heart rate when needed, works reasonably well thought slightly less accurate I think.
  • N0bodyOfTheGoatN0bodyOfTheGoat Posts: 5,532
    You can go way overboard with how tight you have hrm cheststraps, I've done it myself.
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  • ibr17xviiibr17xvii Posts: 1,055
    https://uk.wahoofitness.com/devices/heart-rate-monitors/tickr-fit-optical-heart-rate-monitor
  • joenobodyjoenobody Posts: 563
    Polar and Scosche also do arm-based monitors.
  • MattFalleMattFalle Posts: 11,644
    you could tape a pulse ox to your finger and measure o2 as well as p/r for a further variable

    if turboing you don't need the tape for obvs reasons.
    .
    The camera down the willy isn't anything like as bad as it sounds.
  • kingstongrahamkingstongraham Posts: 24,002
    I got a scosche one - works fine. I don't really like chest based monitors.
  • secretsamsecretsam Posts: 4,988
    pblakeney said:

    I'd politely suggest that if a chest strap is enough to hinder breathing then strenuous exercise is possibly a bad idea. I have asthma.

    It's more a psychological thing. I need to start using my lower lungs more, but the chest strap, whilst not tight, feels or is distracting. It's not hindering me.

    It's just a hill. Get over it.
  • mully79mully79 Posts: 863
    I find my garmin watch is great running or mountain biking but under-reads badly on my drop bar bike. I assume it’s either the position of my wrists or that drop bar bikes cut off the blood supply to my arms :#
  • Mad_MalxMad_Malx Posts: 4,851
    ibr17xvii said:

    https://uk.wahoofitness.com/devices/heart-rate-monitors/tickr-fit-optical-heart-rate-monitor

    This optical device works fine for me, either on upper arm or forearm. Easy setup and instant link to my garmin. I didn’t like the feel of a chest strap.
  • dennisndennisn Posts: 10,601
    secretsam said:

    pblakeney said:

    I'd politely suggest that if a chest strap is enough to hinder breathing then strenuous exercise is possibly a bad idea. I have asthma.

    It's more a psychological thing. I need to start using my lower lungs more, but the chest strap, whilst not tight, feels or is distracting. It's not hindering me.

    Exactly HOW do you use your lower lungs more?
  • photonic69photonic69 Posts: 1,911
    dennisn said:

    secretsam said:

    pblakeney said:

    I'd politely suggest that if a chest strap is enough to hinder breathing then strenuous exercise is possibly a bad idea. I have asthma.

    It's more a psychological thing. I need to start using my lower lungs more, but the chest strap, whilst not tight, feels or is distracting. It's not hindering me.

    Exactly HOW do you use your lower lungs more?
    He's special. He has two sets. Upper and lower. Like some weird alien amphibian thing.
  • Mad_MalxMad_Malx Posts: 4,851
    edited January 2022
    ..
  • First.AspectFirst.Aspect Posts: 12,165
    dennisn said:

    secretsam said:

    pblakeney said:

    I'd politely suggest that if a chest strap is enough to hinder breathing then strenuous exercise is possibly a bad idea. I have asthma.

    It's more a psychological thing. I need to start using my lower lungs more, but the chest strap, whilst not tight, feels or is distracting. It's not hindering me.

    Exactly HOW do you use your lower lungs more?
    Bum breathing?

    It would be covid safe I think.
  • Dorset_BoyDorset_Boy Posts: 6,133
    Mad_Malx said:

    ibr17xvii said:

    https://uk.wahoofitness.com/devices/heart-rate-monitors/tickr-fit-optical-heart-rate-monitor

    This optical device works fine for me, either on upper arm or forearm. Easy setup and instant link to my garmin. I didn’t like the feel of a chest strap.
    My OH also has one and has been happy with it.
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