Will a Garmin HRM Pro strap fit me?

[ForbiddenPlanet]

Having recently started low heart rate running I am thinking about getting a chest strap so as not to rely on my Forerunner 245 for beats per minute. I would also like the extra stats available from the strap!

I see that the strap will fit up to 42 inch chest which is right on the limit for me, though there is an extender strap available. Some gear I've bought which is stated to fit 42" chest has been way too small.

I was wondering if anyone here who is around or above that size has experience with the Garmin chest straps, and how well the standard strap fits?

[nowster Metric Marathon]

You don't actually need a Garmin branded HR strap. Any that does ANT+ will work, including the cheap random-name brands on Amazon. Guess what I have...

[ForbiddenPlanet Half Marathon in reply to nowster]

Thanks - yeah I have one I bought off Amazon a while ago in a drawer somewhere that I could root out. I think I would like the easy integration and extra stats that the Garmin provides. Don't mind paying extra for that. Still not more than I pay for a pair of running shoes!

[nowster Metric Marathon in reply to ForbiddenPlanet]

You're after the other data? I have the RD pod for that. It clips to the back of my waistband.

[ForbiddenPlanet Half Marathon in reply to nowster]

Wow - you're almost bionic! 😀👌

Don't suppose you have a runner's radio as well? I'd like to get one so I can listen to the Today programme on morning runs in the summer!

[nowster Metric Marathon in reply to ForbiddenPlanet]

I can use BBC Sounds on my phone, connected to my Bluetooth headphones.

[ForbiddenPlanet Half Marathon in reply to nowster]

Yes - That is what I used to do when I started running, but my motivation in buying my running watch that plays music was that I would not have to carry a phone. Even though I have one that's a mere 113g (iPhone SE), I much prefer to run without it.

Had another look after I posted, and cauldn't find a good high quality, tiny and light, bluetooth radio for runners.

I suppose I could buy an Apple watch with LTE but that seems overkill just for a running radio - to me at least.

(Edit - just looked and don't think the Apple watch idea would work anyway).

[nowster Metric Marathon in reply to ForbiddenPlanet]

I mainly carry the phone for safety reasons.

[ForbiddenPlanet Half Marathon in reply to nowster]

An excellent reason. When I fell to the ground with a sprained ankle last summer my Garmin detected I'd had a fall and offered to call for help.

(Of course it was not connected to my phone which was not with me, so a little redundant. Although, as I run in an urban, tourist area which is v popular with runners I was lucky to receive multiple offers of help from kind passers by).

[nowster Metric Marathon in reply to ForbiddenPlanet]

The last time that happened to me I was on a public footpath through a wood near the river in Alnwick. The only injury I sustained was one of the lenses popping out of my glasses frame, something I was able to fix on the spot. Had I been properly hurt, it's unlikely anybody would have passed that way for at least another hour or so.

(That was also the run with the unplanned and rather messy visit to an Aldi's toilet.)

[ForbiddenPlanet Half Marathon in reply to nowster]

I remember that report! You do have adventures, and long may they continue, though hopefully not too exciting. 🤞

Although that is partly why we run? It certainly injects a little spice into my life.

[SkiMonday Ultramarathon]

Don’t have any experience of the Garmin version (I use a Power Labs strap with my Forerunner 745) but the strap is, basically, a piece of elastic so, if it’s about the right size, it should fit OK. I find it helps to have the strap reasonably tight so that it stays in place.

[ForbiddenPlanet Half Marathon in reply to SkiMonday]

Thanks - that's food for thought. 👍

[Freecloud Marathon]

I have the Powr Labs Heart Rate Monitor Chest Strap that I got from Amazon for about 30.00. I'm a 47 inch chest and it fits me. I also sometimes run with 2 watches in case 1 goes wrong, and to be honest there is not much of a difference between the Garmin that was connected to the strap and my other watch. Maybe there is a couple of seconds delay when slowing down or speeding up but that's it.I've been doing a lot of low heart rate running this year so I've been very conscious of the heart rates.

I have been thinking of upgrading the strap to the one you're thinking of getting or a pod but I'm not sure there will be much difference.

[ForbiddenPlanet Half Marathon in reply to Freecloud]

That is really helpful - thank you for that! 👍😀

[John_W Marathon]

I have been using the £30 CooSpo from Amazon since 2019. Have had to replace the strap a few times (£9) ... does me fine. Don't see point in spending £60 or so on Garmin/Polar etc.