How bulky is the chest monitor? I want to use it during mat workouts (functional training and yoga) as well as while running.
801851
It will be fine for all the sports you mentioned. I forget I'm wearing it....very comfortable. Not bulky at all. Actually unnoticeable with compression shirts on.
801852
Chest strap not bulky...just the sensor sticks out. But I don't find it to be uncomfortable at all with any workouts, even yoga. I do variety of workouts as well.
801853
It is quite comfortable. I wear it under the band of my sportsbra. I've used it for HIIT and yoga and have had no issues.
801854
I don't find it bulky. The strap goes under my workout bra and the small battery piece fits right in the middle. I wear it for running, boot camp, and yoga. I love mine!
1929246
This one is too heavy and bulky for running with, in my opinion. I should get one that is much smaller and lighter than this. It would bounce around and drive you crazy.
781423
You do not need a chest strap, but I can not make the heart rate monitor work! I quit using it after a couple of weeks.
643929
I have a 50 inch chest. It's tight, but I really don't notice it during a run.
795844
The chest strap must be worn to get the desired results. Make sure the strap is on properly and functioning before you go too far in your run/walk. It is reliable and gives proper readings.
2147375
Hello Mr. Pinto. No, the monitor wiill not work without the chest strap. The chest strap has to be fitted farily tightly around your chest and the strap and the electrode should also be moistened. This improves the performance of the monitor. Also, the strap and electrode should be cleaned as per the supplied instructions and stored separately after use. Hope this answers your question. Good luck.
759351
This one comes with a foot pod that helps you to measure how long you have run, and at what speed you were running basically. No, it needs the chest strap in order to measure your heart rate, otherwise it's just a fancy watch. The chest strap is comfortable and easy to use, I use it almost on daily basis while I'm training. If you just want to use it as a watch, you don't need the chest strap, on the other hand if you don't use tight shirts, you could wear the chest strap and nobody would notice it. This one is for runners or people who walk and want to check distance, speed and such. It's great for training though. This one comes with a foot pod that helps you to measure how long you have run, and at what speed you were running basically. No, it needs the chest strap in order to measure your heart rate, otherwise it's just a fancy watch. The chest strap is comfortable and easy to use, I use it almost on daily basis while I'm training. If you just want to use it as a watch, you don't need the chest strap, on the other hand if you don't use tight shirts, you could wear the chest strap and nobody would notice it. This one is for runners or people who walk and want to check distance, speed and such. It's... » Read More This one comes with a foot pod that helps you to measure how long you have run, and at what speed you were running basically. No, it needs the chest strap in order to measure your heart rate, otherwise it's just a fancy watch. The chest strap is comfortable and easy to use, I use it almost on daily basis while I'm training. If you just want to use it as a watch, you don't need the chest strap, on the other hand if you don't use tight shirts, you could wear the chest strap and nobody would notice it. This one is for runners or people who walk and want to check distance, speed and such. It's great for training though. « Show Less
1732906
I swam with mine in a lap pool. Never leaked but it is reall bulky and you can feel it holding you back on your wrist. when swimming, I used a smaller hr monitor watch for swim because that was all I needed and it wasn't getting in the way.
1166872
I honestly did not get to try it, but I think that same effect could be replicated by just knowing that is the target heart rate that you need to achieve to continue to the next set. I mean, how many people work out completely unaware of this heart monitor or this system. If the benefits were that great, we would see it in more fitness and health literature. My suggestion is: find out what your "ready for next set" heart rate is, and buy a FT60 and use it to monitor it on the exercise mode. You will save $70. Also, the relaxation test seems to be a gimmick and a joke.
130761
Dear Sir: My wife has a minor COPD which does not need critical measurements, therefore this monitor is sufficient for her. If you have a critical need for more accuracy, a much more accurate measurement device should be procured. So, I would do a little research & procure a higher quality device. I wish you luck. I know how restrictive the lack of oxygen is and hope you find a more critical device for your critical needs.
1578206
Let's try to do the math. I have the deluxe, cloth strap. My strap is 33.5" long and comfortably fits my chest (male, 5"10", 165 lb). This strap has 17" of elastic, that I can double to 34" by pulling it. Within the 17" elastic section, there is a 3-fold section that can be lengthened or contracted. This expandable section is 2.5" on my strap. If I contracted it to a minimum, my strap's overall length might increase by 2". If I expanded the section to a maximum, my strap might shrink by 4". So, we do the math. The strap could range from 33.5"-4"=29.5" to 33.5"+2"=35.5". The strap would be comfortable in a range of 29.5" to 35.5". Since I pull my strap about 3" to clasp it, the comfortable length when worn would be 29.5" to 38.5". At its longest, it would have a 19" elastic part that could expand to 38". That is, we could stretch the 19" elastic to the maximum (a double), making the range from 29.5" to 54.5" in length. The strap would be pure torture if it were stretched that taut. To be reasonably comfortable, I don't think you would want to exceed a range from 30" to 42" in length. This strap does not need to be torture tight. You do need to put water on a 2" cloth part and conducting gel on the 10" heart-rate part. The conducting gel will keep the strap stuck to your chest, which for a female is just below their sports bra, and for a male, on their breast bone. I buy my gel at my grocer's pharmacy as a special order, size of 5 liters (about 1.25 gallons). My grocer is #2 by grocery sales, behind only the big-box warehouse grocer. The 5L size is enough to last several years. :-) You want your strap to be comfortably in place at the beginning of your exercise, as adjusting your strap during your exercise can lead to very strange workout statistics. Final answer: 30" to 42" in length when worn comfortably during an exercise session.
1953527
It can be bulky in areas, but the content is shiftable so that you can flatten it more where you wish to. I slept using mine for my shoulder and neck, and had no problem making it comfy. It has good adjustability in fitting it. However, and it's a big however, I had to return mine for two reasons. One - it does not hold heat well, even when using the maximum microwave time. Two - it has an objectionable odor, present right out of the box but much increased by heating. These two issues keep me from recommending it, even though you asked only about the bulk :). Good luck...
2060067
The heart rate monitor with the band has not been very dependable. Honestly I'm looking at the Under Armor monitor instead. The band itself is excellent for tracking your steps and I find it helpful for my personal training clients to keep active.
377954
Chest. I don't even notice it's on. Works great with my iphone app "Map My Run" and several other apps I've tried. I also have the watch and other than taking a minute to "link" sometimes, it's been great.
1700113
All of the other answers are correct. The only issue I can see with this monitor being used outside of exercise is the lack of perspiration. You perspiration allows the monitor to function properly against your skin. In the manual it is recommended to dampen the surfaces that contact your skin before using the monitor. If you don't mind dampening the monitor every so often everything should work great.
1360881
Not really as the primary function of this bracelet is a pedometer the only excersize it accurately monitors is walking or running. However you can easily manually enter excersize that is not recorded. So it is great to monitor casual activity and sleep cycles. So will it benefit you? Not for yoga. But in overall calorie and health? Absolutely, but only if you put in a little effort.
318103
I find that the heart rate monitor works quite well. Sometimes it takes a little longer than normal because of it changing while I am working out, etc.And sometimes if I am super sweaty I have to wipe some sweat off first for it to work.