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
I have two different Polar monitors that work in the water. Mine are the very basic ones - a chest transmitter and a wristwatch-style receiver. No memory storage - I just look at it occasionally when I've stopped at the wall at the end of an interval.
My monitors are at least 10 years old and still work great. The batteries last a couple of years and then have to be replaced. I send mine to Polar's service center (in Michigan, I believe) to have the batteries changed and the monitor re-calibrated.
The biggest problem you'll probably run into is keeping the monitor on your chest while you're swimming. I knew a guy who had heart problems and used a monitor to make sure his heart rate wasn't getting too high. The only way he could keep it on was to wear it under a men's racing suit (no arms, no legs, but full torso coverage). Of course the cheaper way to do this, if you're not self-conscious, would be to wear a women's suit.
Anna Lea
I have two different Polar monitors that work in the water. Mine are the very basic ones - a chest transmitter and a wristwatch-style receiver. No memory storage - I just look at it occasionally when I've stopped at the wall at the end of an interval.
My monitors are at least 10 years old and still work great. The batteries last a couple of years and then have to be replaced. I send mine to Polar's service center (in Michigan, I believe) to have the batteries changed and the monitor re-calibrated.
The biggest problem you'll probably run into is keeping the monitor on your chest while you're swimming. I knew a guy who had heart problems and used a monitor to make sure his heart rate wasn't getting too high. The only way he could keep it on was to wear it under a men's racing suit (no arms, no legs, but full torso coverage). Of course the cheaper way to do this, if you're not self-conscious, would be to wear a women's suit.
Anna Lea
