Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Heart Rate Monitor for a Clyde

I bought a Polar F11 HRM and I liked having the calories burned, HR data etc...but I found that the chest strap, adjusted to the largest size, was a bit tight. I could get it on, but there was enough tension to make it annoying.

I have a 48 inch chest...I wear 3XL jerseys. Anybody know if the Nike or Timex or any brand HRMs with a more Clyde friendly chest strap???

You can order larger straps from Polar they actually come in 3 sizes but all the units ship with the medium.

The polar straps are a little tight, but get the large strap. I had a 62" chest when I started a little over a year ago and was able to get that one on.

I had a friend that does a lot of sewing make be a larger strap for a different brand of monitor. I bought the elastic strap at a fabric store and she took the ends off of the existing strap and sewed the new band on using a Serger and a stitch similar to what was on the original heart rate strap.

Shog

I might get bashed for this but I say take the polar back and get a garmin 305 best piece of bike equipment I bought yet. I have a 46" chest and the strap that came with mine is comfortable and fits fine.

Glad to see the replies myself.

I bought one a year or two ago from Oregon Scientific only to find it was too tight also. I called them but they had no larger straps than the one I ordered it with. It's sat around for some time getting no use. I forget what I liked about it over the Polar (maybe price).

Maybe I'll rethink it and get a Polar if I can get a strap to fit my 52" or so chest.

I had a friend that does a lot of sewing make be a larger strap for a different brand of monitor. I bought the elastic strap at a fabric store and she took the ends off of the existing strap and sewed the new band on using a Serger and a stitch similar to what was on the original heart rate strap.

Shog

As I mentioned above mine fit me, but it was tight. My wife did this same thing for me to give me a little extra room.

I own a Polar and does exactly what I need it to do for me, as I use it for biking, walking, running, elliptical and weight lifting. It is the cheapest Polar and I have had it for almost three years now. If it ever has a problem, I will probably go back to the same thing. The strap was a little tight in the beginning, but now I have it adjusted in at least 6 inches.

I know Polar makes a larger strap, so you should be able to get it.

I've got no experience with heart rate monitors, but may end up getting one next spring. How are they supposed to fit??? If I were to wear it under my man boobs, the middle portion where I assume the sensor is (or at least where it's most accurate) sits directly over my xyphoid process (at the very bottom of the sternum) but against the skin. If I wear it directly over my heart, about in line with my nipples, my man boobs and pecs push the middle portion out a good 1-1/2" from the skin. Yes, I have very perky man boobs, and my pecs are big enough that I benched 285 yesterday.

Directly under the boobs ;). It should almost sit about an inch or so above the sternum.

I might get bashed for this but I say take the polar back and get a garmin 305 best piece of bike equipment I bought yet. I have a 46" chest and the strap that came with mine is comfortable and fits fine.

Polar's been doing this a lot longer than Garmin, and wins consistently in reviews that don't consider GPS features. If you must have a HRM plus GPS, I suppose Garmin's the way to go, but if what you're after is a HRM, Polar seems to have the edge in accuracy, quality and reliability.

I really liked my polar, but I wanted more information on my rides which is the reason I moved to the Garmin. If the polar gave me the same data and ease of transfer, I would have stayed with it.

I really liked my polar, but I wanted more information on my rides which is the reason I moved to the Garmin. If the polar gave me the same data and ease of transfer, I would have stayed with it.

What data are you looking for? GPS data? Garmin will give you that, but is also rather notorious for inaccurate calorie counts, burning batteries at a rapid rate, not being able to acquire a signal -- heart or GPS -- and DOAs. Polar, OTOH, has a ton of models with a really wide range of features, and they're very reliable and accurate. As for data transfer, I use the Polar IR to connect to their software and it works just fine. But maybe you're looking for something completely different.

Just found another nice "deal" on one of the other sites I frequently visit:

You are invited to take an additional 10% off all Polar heart rate monitors and accessories sold by Amazon.com. Use promotion code POLAR807 at checkout to get your savings.

This offer is valid until September 30, 2007. Only Polar products sold by Amazon.com are eligible for the 10% discount using promotion code POLAR807 at checkout.

Polar M61 Heart Rate Monitor Watch
25 Reviews
5 star: (12)
4 star: (7)
3 star: (5)
2 star: (1)
1 star: (0)
List Price: $179.95
Price: $89.99 - 10% + free ship at Amazon


Seems like a good deal.