HRM question

[Ronne]

I've had my Polar HRM for about a year and I love being able to track what I do. However, about once every couple of weeks the thing plays up, it doesn't pick up my heart rate or drops ridiculously low (like in the 40s) and so I don't get an accurate record of my workout.
Does anyone else have this problem and has anyone worked out how to solve it? It only happens on cardio workouts and more often kickboxing for some reason.

Thanks!

 

[MidgetDogg]

Do you wet the back of the chest attachment before you put it on? It may be losing contact with your skin. My old HRM used to do that. I have a Garmin Forerunner now and don't seem to have the problem. This may sound a bit gross, but I used to get KY gel and use it to help with the contact connection.

 

[jldx2in2000]

In addition to making sure you wet the contacts (either with KY Jelly or saliva-yes that sounds gross but works), try making sure the strap is super tight. When I sent my polar watch in to get a new battery, the repair shop sent back tips on getting top performance out my HRM and they said the strap needs to be very tight-almost to the point of cutting of circulation. This would be extremely important in high impact cardio workouts in which the strap is going to loosen over time.

Good luck!

 

[LauraMax]

Oh man that so drives me crazy! Sometimes my RHR is low, but it's never zero LOL.

Anyway, Shana actually called the company about this problem. They told her to scrub the chest strap with dish soap & a soft toothbrush every week or so. It helps.

 

[Ronne]

Thank you all! I knew I'd get some good advice. I do already use saliva (mm, nice!) but will definitely try all this out .