Training & Nutrition - is there such a thing as a strapless HR monitor?

I've started back up riding and commutng again after what one might call a hiatus (and xx lbs of weight gain). It feels good to be riding again, but I wonder whether I'm pushing myself hard enough toward a fitness goal and someone suggested getting a heart rate monitor to make sure I maintain a steady exertion. Thing is, I'm not so nuts about wearing the chest strap dealie thing. Anyone know if theres a good alternative? Please advise.
Thanks,
MikeB

Strapless HR monitor, definitely, it's you!! You monitor your heart rate using your fingers to count the pulse. Lol. Other than that, I don't think there is any chest strap that are strapless. Firstly, it would not be possible for it to hang around on your chest unless you try to use super-glue. I sometimes have difficulty having it stay there when running because you do sweat. Maybe you can get something, not even a strap on your chest, maybe a microchip implanted on your heart, that allows accurate measurement of your heart beats per minute.

Either way, I would ask you to go with a STRAPFUL of HRM. You need that chest strap if you want to monitor your fitness and monitor it accurately. There is absolutely nothing wrong about wearing it. Even though in school I do try to keep it a secret that I wear it, some people eventually do see it.. and I don't have much choice. Some might laugh at you for wearing a 'bra', but so long as you know you are doing nothing of that sort (if you are a guy), be fine with it. It will probably stay this way for a couple of years more.

The treadmills, lifecycles, etc., at my gym have HRM's that get their info from your hands touching metal strips on the handles. I have no clue as to whether or not such a device is available for a bike, but would suspect that the principle is valid for a bike. You might check with LifeCycle.

You could try something like this but they're VERY expensive and may get in the way when shifting or braking. ;)

http://www.nationalmedstore.com/images/HDN950.jpg

There is a type that clips to your earlobe used on some treadmills and such. Not sure how accurate they are and your earlobe starts to hurt after awhile.

What's your aversion to wearing the strap? Comfort? Although you notice the chest strap at first, you will grow accustomed to it with time, ome are probably more tolerable than others. My HRM is made by Sports Instruments, I would recommend you try their chest strap, it's pretty comfortable.

Ciclo Sport makes a HR monitor that is strapless, the only catch is that you have to touch your fingers on the sensor buttons on the watch face plate to get a reading. It is supposed to be quite accurate and it is not terribly expensive. Check with your local bike shop that carries Sidi, Easton, Vredestein, or Look and you should be able to find the Ciclosport products. It is called the Easy Touch.

-Ryan

The "Mio" HRM says its the first wristwatch style strapless ECG accurate HRM. I saw it (I'm embarassed to say) on The Shopping Channel here in Canada. If you go to www.tsc.ca and type in "heart monitor" in the search field, the Mio will come up. I think it was about $139 CDN or about 105 US.

I believe that you have to touch the Mio buttons to get a reading as well. Just like the Ciclo Sport.

-Ryan