I’ve biked/ran with an HRM for a couple years now (first a timex, then a polar). I’m thinking about buying one to use for swimming, but I really haven’t heard anything about specific brands, models, years, etc… of HRM’s that are especially good with swimming. Polar says all of their new HRM’s can be used in water, but is there anything that is a swimming-specific HRM? Anyone have any experience with this?
Polar new HRMs (W.I.N.D) do not work in the water. Only their older types (non-WIND) work in water. I have the non-WIND type and it works fine in the water. Never had any issues. As for the specific swim type, what exactly are you looking for in the swim? I do not know of any specifc swim only type of HRM, but someone else might.
I have an older polar and it always worked fine. Big issue is that it never stayed in position. This is cured by wearing a tri top or other tight fitting shirt.
~Matt
I like to have mine (Polar) on for the swim (in races) even though it doesn’t read, but it does save time in transition. Same issues with strap, so I wear a tri-top. However, the recent threads about drag have me looking for other solutiuons.
Count your pulse with your finger for 6 or 10 seconds. It works very well.
My Polar S625x works fine in tris, but does not work in chlorinated pools consistently even with a tri-top to hold it in place.
Sometimes I see people swimming up and down the pool at the same slow pace with awful technique.
Then I notice a HRM … and I think triathlete!
No-one needs a HRM to swim fast. All you need is the pool clock. It tells no lies.
Sometimes I see people swimming up and down the pool at the same slow pace with awful technique.
Then I notice a HRM … and I think triathlete!
No-one needs a HRM to swim fast. All you need is the pool clock. It tells no lies.
Crap, you posted the truth before I could.
To the OP, why would you use a HRm for swimming? To tell you how fast you are going? To tell you if you are swimming aerobically or not? I don’t understand and I was a swim coach for 2 years. Sent a bunch of kids to various D1 schools to swim and none of them were allowed to use a hrm when training. Please explain why the hrm when swimming?
dude, you are ruining the fun.
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Yeah, the truth spoils it, hunh?! 