Heart Rate Arm Bands

[FullSend]

Does anyone know what brand the arm strap HR sensors the rowers are using in Paris?

Seems much more convenient than putting on the full chest strap style

[lt.wolf]

I thought those were Whoop bands

[FullSend]

I thought those were Whoop bands

Thanks! Getting a closer look, it look at IRL, it looks like at least those are Whoop.

Anybody have any experience on water/erg with them? I have to imagine they are accurate enough if they are using them at that level.

[lt.wolf]

They are , and the provide valuable information . The subscription price can be the deciding factor.

[Steven M-M]

Coros also makes an arm HR band: https://coros.com/heart-rate-monitor I haven't tried it as it doesn't work with my Garmin forerunner. When I need a new watch I'm tempted to try Coros.

[FullSend]

Did some research, and the Scosche Rhythm+ 2.0 seems to be very accurate compared to chest strap. This guy tested them over cycling and running and found it line on line with chest straps. I would think running would be a decent comp to rowing in terms of arm movement?

Interestingly, his other reviews show the whoop (that it looks like a lot of the athletes used) is fine for steady state HR, but very slow to respond to things. 30s intervals on bike it didn't show any of the changes in HR. I would guess a SS workout, or even a 2k where your HR (relatively) slowly climbs then holds it probably works fine.

https://www.dcrainmaker.com/2021/03/sco ... eview.html

Either way, the Scosche is on sale for like $35 right now (down from $90 which is about where most straps were), so I pulled the trigger and will report back if anyone is interested.

https://www.scosche.com/scosche-rhythm- ... or-armband

[oldman]

More comfortable and convenient than a chest strap? For who?

[boston_1x]

I have started using the Polar Sense this year. Comparable accuracy to chest strap. I was finding chest strap so tight, I was getting rib/intracostal issues.

[FullSend]

More comfortable and convenient than a chest strap? For who?

Got to use the Scosche a few times. Some pros compared to chest strap:

- not fiddling with trying to get it wet to get a reading. Sensor is optical so once it's in the right spot it basically just works
- related: not having to lift up my shirt to mess with it. Not a huge deal, but I'm not exactly in prime rowing shape and I don't need to be flashing the midriff to fiddle with a chest strap
- readings have been very stable (much much more stable than any watch I've used. I haven't cross referenced with chest strap, but the numbers make sense based on RPE so I'm guessing as accurate as the reviews said

[Stelph]

I find using the Polar OH1 with the “goggles clip” attached to a cap (or even tucked under the cap) so it’s in contact with the temple results in perfect heart rates without needing a chest or arm band

in a pinch even my Garmin 255 with the strap removed and similarly tucked under the cap band or under a headband in contact with my temple results in perfect heart rate and stroke rate numbers, albeit a bit bulky feeling