Heart Rate Monitor - couldn't breathe!

[eminenz2]

I wasn't wearing my HRM very tight. In fact, It is kind of loose, tucked under the band of my sports bra.

However, when doing the last cycle of planks in Boot Camp last night - the ones where you are on your elbows and doing hip dips - I literally couldn't catch my breath!

In your opinion, was it just because of the HRM monitor digging into my sternum or perhaps a combination of that and just overall fatigue?

That last set of planks in that workout has always been tough for me, but I never felt like I was unable to catch my breath.

Thanks for reading my post!

Susan L.G.

 

[SirenSongWoman]

I have NEVER been able to do those things. They always end up hurting my back. And that one move from Core Max where she rolls forwards and backwards on her toes... oh please! Often, I just keep doing standard planks (forward and sideways) which are probably more effective, anyway.

 

[Pearlstrand]

I had a problem once...

Susan,
I had a problem with a heart monitor last summer. It was one of the newer models -- small plastic portion that sits on your sternum, and the rest was elastic (unlike the old model -- half a long plastic strip and half elastic).

I was running along on the eliptical, feeling good and going strong when I had pain in my chest that I'd never felt before! It was so frightening that I actually went to the doctor (something I try to never do) to get checked out for heart problems! It really felt like I was having a heart attack -- weird rhythm and/or pain (I forget exactly what it was like).

Even though the doctor gave me a clean bill of health, I was afraid to work out for weeks afterward. I'd never had anything like that before or since, but haven't ever used that monitor again.

This may not be helpful info, but I'm wondering which monitor you were using.

 

[jodijodi]

I have stopped wearing my HRM most of the time after I had a problem with breathing while doing Step Blast. I had to take it off and unhook my bra for a little while to catch my breath!

 

[eminenz2]

These are all very interesting replies. Hmmmm!

I've used this HRM before, dozens of times, and never had a problem. In fact, I just recently changed the battery in the wristwatch becuase it went dead.

I just assumed that I was having trouble catching my breath because the plastic part was digging into my sternum.

It is a Polar HRM. I think the style number is M32. I really like it but haven't used it in a long time because the battery had died.

Pearlstrand - As crazy as it sounds, is it possible you were getting some kind of electric shock from the monitor? That's pretty darn scary!

SirenSongWoman - I've never been good at the hip dips either. It worries my lower back. Also, the hips raises from the same workout have also lay very uncomfortably on my body. It's the exercise where you are on your elbow with your body extended out to the side in a diagonal line, down to your feet. Cathe rests a med ball on her hip and then raises and lowers her hip. Med ball? Up and down? Yikes! Is she crazy? Hee!

jodijodi - What do you think was causing your discomfort?

Is there such a thing as an accurate heart rate monitor that has only a piece you wear around your wrist, and not around your chest? A quick tour of the internet does show that they make strapless HRM, but that in many cases their accuracy is questionable.

Thanks ladies!

Susan L.G.

 

[jodijodi]

I think it was just a bit too tight, along with the sports bra, and I was breathing heavily and felt like I couldn't get enough room for my lungs to expand. I don't know why on that particular day. I don't remember what time of the month it was; maybe that had something to do with it? Once I unhooked it (and the bra) and took some deep breaths I was okay.

I have also heard that the wrist HRMs without chest straps aren't as accurate, but I didn't spend too much time researching them.