Wireless heart rate monitor: Does anyone know the proper use and positioning of this chest strap?
1435203
Did you ever get this figured out? I am having the same issues with the one that I just bought a couple of weeks ago.
937209
I wish I knew what would make a good chest strap as the one I have works so poorly. I believe the device would be wonderful if only there was a good chest strap that would consistently work with it.
1881747
Yes; the chest strap is the only way this watch can monitor your heart rate and calories. Without it, it's just a watch with functions you can't use
781424
It does not come with a chest strap and does not indicate one is required. It's supposed to work by simply being on your wrist and using the appropriate buttons. I'm not a fan of the product.
1770846
Make sure the chest strap is secure and flush against your skin. Sometimes I wait a minute after putting on the chest strap before switching over to the heart rate option. If it still won't register, you might want to call customer service. If it never has registered your heart rate, you might have a faulty chest strap.
1790851
Hi Jack, I have a Micro-life monitor and am quite pleased with it - easy to use etc, though a larger cuff for larger people would have been handy as I had to but one especially. Your AFIB? Not sure what that stands for, so can't make a comment. However, the monitor does detect irregular heartbeat, if that's any help to you - all these gadgets are clever, but they don't replace a Dr or specialist. Cheers, Warren. p.s. let me know how you got on?
2147376
No, the chest strap has an attached monitor that detects your heart beat/rate.
1579042
The heart rate monitor goes around your chest and the watch is worn on your wrist. You can just wear the watch w/o the chest strap but it won't monitor your heart rate or calculate your calories.
1840025
You'll need to wear the chest strap for the Vivo to read heart rate. It does save the data as you exercise and it is neat to see the graph of your work-out afterwards.
542135
C.J.-- I like that this exercise bike has both contact pads on the handle-bars, as well as the POLAR chest strap Heart Rate Monitor (HRM). When I am just hopping on the bike while watching a little TV, the contact pads work well just to double check my levels. When I am going for a real workout, the chest strap is the way to go. I have other POLAR HRM products, and I never do an official workout without one of them. This included chest strap works with my POLAR Fitness Trainer, and I have found POLAR chest straps work with many commercial treadmills at the gym. It really is critical to know your HR, as perceived workload is rarely accurate and highly dependent upon mood & environment. If I am going to take the time to workout, I want to know that I am using my time effectively, and not slacking. Other times, when I just want some movement while watching TV or listening to a Podcast, I use the contact pads. Regarding the fan...I get really hot fairly fast during a workout. I find this fan sufficient. I wouldn't want something bigger or stronger that close to my face. I also want enough silence to hear my TV/Podcast in peace, not a hurricane in the face. If I wanted a larger fan (hasn't happened yet), I can put a tower fan several feet away. I didn't notice the problem with the custom workouts, because I set up 2 that I wanted anyway, as soon as I got the bike. Maybe you could use "Guest User" to get to the pre-programmed workouts? Oh, and make sure you have a pad, or something similarly protective & easy to clean under the machine, as sweating is part of an 85% HR workout. I haven't noticed any movement or vibration that could mark my hardwood floors, but I wouldn't want to discover it through scratches or indentations after-the-fact. I hope you end up loving your bike as much as I do.
781425
No it doesn't its primary connection to you is kinetic in the form of arm movement. What is most critical is in the initial set up with your real weight; because it has a function that determines if you burned a body minimum of calories. It's essential, algorithm based and once it "gets" you it monitors what type of activity you've done and gives a visual of where you stand metabolically for the day. I like mine a lot and I wear it 6 days out of the week. So, to answer your question - no, you don't need a chest strap or any external devices. Hope this helps.
1447340
I previously owned a Forerunner 305, which I lost at the bottom of a river last Fall. But the chest strap from that unit works with the 310xt just fine -- both use the ANT communications protocol, and you just need to pair the chest strap with your watch. For long events I found this strap uncomfortable, with the plastic strap digging into the sides of my chest. So I finally upgraded to the new stretchy fabric chest strap. This one works great, and is much more comfortable. Unlike the plastic strap you can't just wipe it off after a workout or race. You need to air dry it, and periodically hand wash it as the fabric picks up body oils and odors. I'd buy one again. I previously owned a Forerunner 305, which I lost at the bottom of a river last Fall. But the chest strap from that unit works with the 310xt just fine -- both use the ANT communications protocol, and you just need to pair the chest strap with your watch. For long events I found this strap uncomfortable, with the plastic strap digging into the sides of my chest. So I finally upgraded to the new stretchy fabric chest strap. This one works great, and is much more comfortable. Unlike the plastic strap you can't just wipe it off after a workout or race. You need to air dry it, and periodically... » Read More I previously owned a Forerunner 305, which I lost at the bottom of a river last Fall. But the chest strap from that unit works with the 310xt just fine -- both use the ANT communications protocol, and you just need to pair the chest strap with your watch. For long events I found this strap uncomfortable, with the plastic strap digging into the sides of my chest. So I finally upgraded to the new stretchy fabric chest strap. This one works great, and is much more comfortable. Unlike the plastic strap you can't just wipe it off after a workout or race. You need to air dry it, and periodically hand wash it as the fabric picks up body oils and odors. I'd buy one again. « Show Less
463002
I have a heart rate monitor with a chest strap--it goes UNDER your boobs not over. I am large breasted too, it's not an issue.
1840024
The heart rate monitor is attached to a strap that fits around your chest, right under your bra, and syncs with the Vivofit. I just wear it when I exercise. Although it bugged me a little when I first started wearing it, I usually forget I have it on now.
1065392
Also, read the other answers: this device DOES NOT offer continuous heart rate monitoring. I think the description is a little misleading about that. For me a deal breaker.
1380068
I'll type what my manual says, "The heart rate chest strap must be an uncoded heart rate strap from Polar Electro or an uncoded POLAR compatible model. (Coded POLAR heart rate straps such as POLAR OwnCode chest straps will not work with this equipment.)
1343759
Strap goes on your chest ( below sternum ) & watch on wrist. Strap gives data to watch, which in turn will record heart rate data. Watch will display heart rate , calories burnt etc.