Training & Nutrition - Should I wash my HRM strap?

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slvoid
06-01-04, 09:53 AM
Ok my girlfriend and I both bought a HRM to use while biking and jogging. Should I rinse off the transmitter unit? I know the strap should be rinsed off but the transmitter requires moisture to conduct on the two sensor pads. If I don't wash it, I leave a residue of salt from my previous workout. Next time I wet it, I get salt water, which conducts a lot better.

F1_Fan
06-01-04, 10:17 AM
Ok my girlfriend and I both bought a HRM to use while biking and jogging. Should I rinse off the transmitter unit? I know the strap should be rinsed off but the transmitter requires moisture to conduct on the two sensor pads. If I don't wash it, I leave a residue of salt from my previous workout. Next time I wet it, I get salt water, which conducts a lot better.

Yes... rinse it. The sweat and salt will break down the stretchy part of the strap and also prematurely age the rubber in the transmitter part. I had an old Polar unit that basically crumbled in my hands one day.

Somewhere in the manual for my Polar 710i it recommends rinsing the unit/belt after every exercise.

Good point about the salt water but I've never needed to do anything more than lick my finger, wipe it on the contacts and then go.
billwatson58
06-01-04, 10:26 AM
My Sigma Sports HRM strap comes apart so I wash just the elastic bits.

Moonshot
06-01-04, 10:46 AM
I seldom if ever wash or rinse my Polar chest strap. I've had several. The batteries die before I have any problems with the corrosion.

However, I'd go along with F1's recommendation since you don't yet know how your sweat will affect yours.
F1_Fan
06-01-04, 10:50 AM
However, I'd go along with F1's recommendation since you don't yet know how your sweat will affect yours.

Of course... I don't do as I say and I usually forget to rinse the belt :D What I try to do now is if I shower immediately after the ride (say 25% of the time) I'll carry the belt into the shower with me and rinse it.
John M
06-01-04, 01:18 PM
I do rince mine, but they do not die that fast. I have a Tx and Rx from my Vantage XL, 91 that is still going strong and the Tx unit off a Pacer 89 that I still use in the AM. Both of these have replacable batteries.