Training & Nutrition - Polar chest straps and hairy chests

I'm of the more *ahem* hirsute of the species, and tend to get erroneous readings for max heart rate on my Polar CS100.

I make sure I wet the electrodes on the chest strap with tap water before I start, but that doesn't always work. Any recommendations before I start considering shaving a strip across my chest :eek:

I'm of the more *ahem* hirsute of the species, and tend to get erroneous readings for max heart rate on my Polar CS100.

I make sure I wet the electrodes on the chest strap with tap water before I start, but that doesn't always work. Any recommendations before I start considering shaving a strip across my chest :eek:

Shave all of it off? In my experience polar straps are crappy in general, even without extra barrier of hair.

I make sure I wet the electrodes on the chest strap with tap water before I start, but that doesn't always work. Any recommendations before I start considering shaving a strip across my chest :eek:

That'd be funny to see. Take a picture if you decide to shave. :D

Try HRM gel? http://www.heartmonitors.com/buh-bump.htm

I'm of the more *ahem* hirsute of the species, and tend to get erroneous readings for max heart rate on my Polar CS100.

I make sure I wet the electrodes on the chest strap with tap water before I start, but that doesn't always work. Any recommendations before I start considering shaving a strip across my chest :eek:

The hair doesn't only screw with the contacts. It also generates static as it rubs against the synthetic garment you are most likely wearing. Try wetting down your entire chest and maybe even the front of your jersey.

I was told that water doesn't work as well as sweat or saliva. Saliva on the contacts before you start your workout, because if you are like me you will sweat enough during the workout to create the proper moisture.

http://www.ugo.com/movies/top-11-comedies/images/40yoV02.jpg

I'm of the more *ahem* hirsute of the species, and tend to get erroneous readings for max heart rate on my Polar CS100.

I make sure I wet the electrodes on the chest strap with tap water before I start, but that doesn't always work. Any recommendations before I start considering shaving a strip across my chest :eek:

Salt water is considerably more conductive that tap water, so that would be a better choice.

I knew a guy that shaved a peace sign in his chest..

I was Anthony Quinn's stunt double in "Zorba the Greek";) and I never had any trouble with either the Polar chest strap for their cheapest HRM or the one that came with my new Sigma computer. I'm seriously hairy - sometimes at the start of a ride I wouldn't get a reading, but once I start sweating, no problem.

JB

My hrm works initially but stops when water I put on it dries. Then sweat starts and it ups and starts working again. I got chest hair but not so much as to interfere with hrm.

We used to wrap hairy guys in duct tape as a practical joke. We were young and in high school. I'm sorry if you were one of our victims. :(

Less hair on your back? flip the transmitter upside down and spin it to the back.

Try some buh-bump also. Good stuff.