Maybe you've asked yourself:
Why run with a chest heart rate monitor at all?
When you run with a running watch from , the watch measures your heart rate through the wrist-based heart rate monitor. This works well in most cases. But if you run short intervals, the watch might struggle with rapid heart rate changes. often doesn't register quick heart rate spikes, making it hard to run by heart rate in interval training. Here, a heart rate strap is more accurate and measures heart rate changes faster.
If you want to read more about the difference between using a heart rate strap and the wrist-based monitor in the watch, you can read Jesper's article in our inspiration universe, testing wrist vs. chest heart rate measurement.
If you've decided to run with a , the next question might be:
Which heart rate strap should I choose?
Garmin has a range of chest straps, but what can they do and which heart rate strap should you choose for your first purchase? In this article, I will guide you through the different chest heart rate monitors from Garmin and their various features.
HRM-Run
With an HRM-Run, you're assured precise data from your run. HRM-Run measures not only your heart rate but also Running Dynamics: cadence, vertical ratio (%), vertical oscillation (cm), stride length, ground contact time (ms), and left/right balance, which you can benefit from during your run. Besides being incredibly useful for running by heart rate, it's also a great running buddy for practicing higher cadence. HRM-Run is an excellent tool for the serious runner.
Buy here
HRM-Swim
Garmin's HRM-Swim is, as the name suggests, a heart rate strap designed for swimmers. It's meant for swimming in a pool. The strap is designed with a slightly wider band and more non-slip points, helping it stay in place during quick turns in a pool. HRM-Swim stores your data and sends information to compatible devices when out of water.
HRM-TRI
This heart rate strap from Garmin is aimed at triathletes, combining running, swimming, and cycling. It provides running dynamics like HRM-Run and stores data when swimming, sending it to a compatible device out of the water. Unlike HRM-Swim, HRM-Tri does not tolerate pool chemicals, making it suitable for open water.
HRM-PRO
HRM-Pro is Garmin's top model in heart rate straps, combining functions from HRM-Run, HRM-Swim, and HRM-Tri. This strap provides all the data needed for your run and can store heart rate data during activities without your watch nearby, sending data to your watch post-activity.
HRM-DUAL
HRM-DUAL offers a pure heart rate monitor. HRM-DUAL measures your heart rate without running dynamics or other features. It boasts a battery life of up to 3.5 years, the longest among heart rate straps.
Running Dynamics Pod
If you don't need heart rate data from anything other than your watch but still want running dynamics like HRM-Run offers, the Running Dynamics Pod is for you. Pair it with your watch or phone, clip it on your waistband, and you're ready to run.
