Suggestions for Heart Rate Monitors that work in the Pool?
Former Member
Can anyone recommend a heart rate monitor that works in the pool? I have a Garmin monitor with chest strap which is waterproof, but the transmission doesn't work in the pool. With the Garmin, I can get out of the pool and get a reading, but not while I'm in the water. I've searched the internet and have found very little info on monitors that will actually continue to take/transmit while in the water.
I've seen people mention the Polar s720i, but that model is no longer made. Ideally, I'd like to find a monitor that stores your heartrate readings throughout the workout and will download to a laptop AND works while you are in the water. I'm 47 and had a heart attack a few years back, so I'd really like to have an accurate monitor while I'm swimming.
Thanks for any help you can offer.
RS in New Orleans
Parents
Former Member
Perhaps there are too many factors that influence the monitors and that's why you can't find a "good one".
1a) hydrostatic pressure, compression & gravity (or lack of it in the pool)= affects the blood flow, send it gushing back to the heart. Lower heart rate.
1b) hydrostatic pressure = body is working against the resistet pressure of the water, something not found on land. Lungs must work in & out in the water because of the pressure of the water, on land they only need to work 1 way because air doesn't have a measurable pressure (as it is found naturally).
2) water temperature = too hot or too cold affects ability to have a good workout. The cooler the water, the lower the heart rate.
3) dive reflex = your comfort level in the water (any anxiety?)
4) body position = you are forcing your body to work on a horizontal plane rather than a vertical plane, this places stress on the brain in a body awareness kinda' way
5) partial pressure = a gas enters a liquid more redily under pressure, in this case, oxygen is transfered more efficiently to the blood stream reducing the workload of the heart
6) reduced body mass = you weigh less in the water resulting in lower heart rate
7) fitness levels and age are also important to consider when calculating heart rates
I only offer these as suggestions, things to consider when comming to the pool to compare workouts on land and in the water.
There is a formula called "Karvonen Formula", which considers minimum and maximum training thresholds that might suit you needs better. www.briancalkins.com/HeartRate.htm
Perhaps there are too many factors that influence the monitors and that's why you can't find a "good one".
1a) hydrostatic pressure, compression & gravity (or lack of it in the pool)= affects the blood flow, send it gushing back to the heart. Lower heart rate.
1b) hydrostatic pressure = body is working against the resistet pressure of the water, something not found on land. Lungs must work in & out in the water because of the pressure of the water, on land they only need to work 1 way because air doesn't have a measurable pressure (as it is found naturally).
2) water temperature = too hot or too cold affects ability to have a good workout. The cooler the water, the lower the heart rate.
3) dive reflex = your comfort level in the water (any anxiety?)
4) body position = you are forcing your body to work on a horizontal plane rather than a vertical plane, this places stress on the brain in a body awareness kinda' way
5) partial pressure = a gas enters a liquid more redily under pressure, in this case, oxygen is transfered more efficiently to the blood stream reducing the workload of the heart
6) reduced body mass = you weigh less in the water resulting in lower heart rate
7) fitness levels and age are also important to consider when calculating heart rates
I only offer these as suggestions, things to consider when comming to the pool to compare workouts on land and in the water.
There is a formula called "Karvonen Formula", which considers minimum and maximum training thresholds that might suit you needs better. www.briancalkins.com/HeartRate.htm
