When choosing the best heart rate monitor chest strap for your sport, many factors in your purchasing decision will be based on personal preference and your exercise regimen. Here are some things to keep in mind when shopping.
Strap width: Before purchasing, consider whether you would prefer a heart rate tracker with a thin strap or a wider strap.
Module size: Some straps use tiny modules (like plastic discs) that do not extend to the edges of the strap. However, others use larger monitors to measure your heart rate. Which way you choose to track exercise depends on your comfort preferences.
Internal storage: If you don’t like holding your smartphone while exercising, opt for a heart rate training monitor, which can store your data in its own built-in memory. You can later transfer your heart rate readings to your phone via the monitor’s companion app.
index: Think about what you want to monitor during exercise. Advanced models capture real-time data on everything from running cadence to stride length, as well as data like blood pressure, calorie burn and heart rate variability to help you achieve your fitness goals, while more basic models may only track your heart speed.
Battery: Wearable chest strap monitors can have a variety of power sources. Some come with rechargeable batteries. Other batteries may have extremely long battery life, but the battery cannot be replaced or recharged by the user. Longer battery life is always convenient, but there are plenty of options. Before buying a monitor, be sure to check the battery life specifications.
Chest strap and wrist-worn heart rate monitors: Chest strap heart rate monitors and wrist strap heart rate monitors are both used to measure heart rate, but they use different methods to provide readings.
Electronic heart rate sensors, most commonly found in chest-strap heart rate monitors, detect the electrical current generated by the heart, somewhat similar to what a doctor’s office does with an electrocardiogram. These are considered the most accurate heart rate readings because the electrical sensors can measure your heart rate even during strenuous activity.
Optical heart rate sensors use LED lights to track your pulse rate as blood pumps through your arteries. Optical heart rate sensors found in smartwatches can be used to read heart rate while resting or walking, but are less reliable for high-intensity activities as the readings can be distorted.
ANT Plus and Bluetooth: Most wrist-worn heart rate monitors, such as the Apple Watch, use Bluetooth and can only connect to one device. For example, if you want to record an outdoor run, you can only connect your Apple Watch to your iPhone.
ANT Plus technology lets you wirelessly connect to multiple devices at the same time. This is a great option for athletes trying to track data from multiple sources. You can find this technology on devices like chest strap heart rate monitors, indoor or outdoor cycling computers, and some smartwatches.
If you plan to use a device that only uses ANT Plus technology and want to connect it to your smartphone, please note that some Android devices have ANT Plus technology capabilities, while the iPhone does not. To find out if your device can connect to Android, you must find the ANT Plus Plugins app in the Google Play Store and browse its compatible devices directory. If your iPhone or Android device cannot connect to the ANT Plus device, you will need an adapter to add to your phone.
Most people like the Bluetooth option because it connects faster and is easy to find on most devices. The good news is that many heart rate monitors include ANT Plus and Bluetooth capabilities, making the user experience even easier.
