Should you have a Garmin watch, the HRM-Pro Plus can add advanced running metrics to the million data points the watch already collects, such as vertical oscillation, ground contact time, stride length and vertical ratio. I could possibly see some value in having real time heart rate data… but you’re not going to get that with an ANT+ or Bluetooth device underwater. Other features include the ability to count your steps through the day, as well as ‘intensity minutes’ and calorie burn, and send that information to Garmin Connect as part of its lifestyle tracking features.

My coach does find some value in a handful of the metrics in terms of seeing some impacts of fatigue in longer runs. Then, I did the exact same 20-minutes of the workout again, back to back, this time with the calibrated values. The Garmin Connect App and all the advanced data you can find in the App, are reserved for Garmin products. A little harder to test, this appeared to be true for data captured by the internal memory rather than just that displayed live. For example, in the below screenshots, all the data from 4PM is from the straps, not my watch (which I had disabled connectivity on).Once strapped on, the HRM-Pro got off to a good start by pairing with everything I pointed it at, happily latching onto an iPhone, smartwatch, and even a normally extremely cantankerous bicycle computer. Best thing is I don’t have to wet the contact points, like I do with my Wahoo strap every ride + run. If that's you, pairing the HRM-Pro strap will add metrics including cadence, vertical oscillation and ratio, ground contact time, and balance. Its ability to maintain Bluetooth and ANT+ connections also mean it’s happy working with elaborate systems involving multiple devices or apps. For Zwifters: You might need those extra Bluetooth connections on the Pro and Pro Plus models to simultaneously connect to various apps, TVs and sports devices.

Most people will of course wear a watch the majority of the day, but for those that may not be able to wear a watch for any number of reasons, this at least still accounts for that data. Nonetheless, I’ve been using the HRM-PRO Plus for a while, so I figure I’ll go through the full in-depth review of the HRM-PRO Plus, just like any other straps. It important to note that the heart rate belt does not transmit directly to the watch while you are in the water. No need to pick the Polar OH1 armband, either, if you don't want to charge/replace the battery in your heart rate monitor more than once a year. For the best results, you want to wear a tri-suit or wetsuit over it so it is pressed closer to your skin as you swim.

It’s very easy to use the clasp to get a fit that is right for you, and you can make it very big, or very small, so it will work well on younger athletes and more petite women. You'll benefit from ANT+ connectivity, which means you can pair it with compatible devices such as Garmin’s own watches, enjoying a battery life that should see you through regular weekly swims for well over a year of pool or open water time. As you probably noticed by looking below, I also take time to answer all the questions posted in the comments – and there’s quite a bit of detail in there as well. In some cases, wearing a heart rate monitor is the only option to track heart rate during workouts: weight training, especially when kettlebells are involved, can't be tracked safely and precisely using wrist wearables.

Here you can see I’ve got it paired as a running footpod (speed), a heart rate sensor, and a running cadence sensor (all via Bluetooth Smart in this case). Yeah, I’ve never quite understood why certain people burn through straps while other people’s straps last many many years.The Hammerhead Heart Rate Monitor is an obvious choice if you’re looking for a quality HRM to supplement your Hammerhead Karoo 2. Pretty much standard for serious athletes, formerly this need to connect a heart rate strap to a further device to record its data has been one of their drawbacks. Ultimately, when you pair it up to any Garmin device, you should *ALWAYS* choose ANT+ first (which, it’ll default to).