RE: heart rate monitors - Any engineers out there?

[CF-OC_gal]

I was given a simple Polar heart rate monitor from my BIL who showed me how to wear it properly for running. The first time I used it it worked great - no problem.

The second time I used it, it wouldn't turn on. The only thing I did differently was wear a bra with underwires. Do you know if that would interfere with the signal? I was wearing the band right under the bra wires. After I finished my run and was guessing at what might be causing it I slipped it down around my waist. Of course there was no heart beat for it to measure, but it did turn on.

Does anyone know ? :confused:

[sparky]

Originally Posted by Brat

I was given a simple Polar heart rate monitor from my BIL who showed me how to wear it properly for running. The first time I used it it worked great - no problem.

The second time I used it, it wouldn't turn on. The only thing I did differently was wear a bra with underwires. Do you know if that would interfere with the signal? I was wearing the band right under the bra wires. After I finished my run and was guessing at what might be causing it I slipped it down around my waist. Of course there was no heart beat for it to measure, but it did turn on.

Does anyone know ? :confused:

Don't know for sure if your underwires could cause a failure but here is something to try.

Just put it on without the bra or, with a sports bra and see if it turns on.

I know with mine I have to get very close to get it to initially turn on, after that it works fine up to about 3 ft away.

Good luck

[CF-OC_gal]

It takes me about 12 minutes to break a sweat so the first time I used it (no wires) it didn't turn on until after my warm up. Then it was fine. This one needs the contacts to be wet to work but simply wetting it before sweating like my BIL did doesn't work for me.

When he trains with a HR monitor, his heart rate is picked up on all the treadmills surrounding the one he's on. LOL It freaks out the other users when they see his numbers.

[2Scoops]

Here are a few suggestions:
Try with a normal sports bra.
Put it on a bit tighter - sounds like it could be loose!
If all else fails try putting it on upside down on your back and it should still work.

Good luck

[CF-OC_gal]

Normal sports bras are not built right for me for running and the good ones are out of my price range for the amount of time I spend doing cardio. (It's a common complaint you read on running message boards) - I'll just have to stick with my "wireless" clothing and see if the metal was the problem.

The HRM was as tight as it goes without tying a knot in the elastic.

Thanks for offering suggestions. I'll try moving the sensor around to my back as well .

[Lady C]

You should wet the side that contacts the skin and then put it on. Mine won't work right without the moisture there. Also, it must be tight against the skin. I actually put mine under my bra so that the bra helps hold it in place.

[CF-OC_gal]

Thanks Lady C. I was taught to wet it and did that both times.

[Firehawk]

Im sorry, I am an electrical engineer but I am getting incredibly excited after reading this thread LOL .

Best of luck with that heart rate monitor! Suggestions above sound good.

[CF-OC_gal]

Originally Posted by Firehawk

Im sorry, I am an electrical engineer but I am getting incredibly excited after reading this thread LOL .

Then I guess your GF is happy to see you after you finish reading the board !


<warning!> If it's a problem you might want to avoid reading this post too!

Well I tried it again tonight with my "other clothing". I think it has something to do with wearing it up high (near where the rib cage separates - don't know what it's called). The HRM wouldn't work again until I unhooked it an let it slip down inside my unitard that was under my T-shirt. It read out fine from there

Next time I'll just try wearing it lower to begin with.

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Edited to say that I either forgot or wasn't told to touch the wristband to the HRM once I put it on in order to start it. I trried it and it works like a charm. No sweat!