Garmin HRM Pro Plus | New Heart Rate Strap You Will Definitely Like It!

Garmin has introduced a new heart rate sensor with the HRM-Pro Plus. The chest strap should not only record information about heart rate, but also about running efficiency.

The measurement of the heart rate is now optically easily possible, whereby a corresponding sensor is now also part of the basic equipment of cheap smartwatches. The optical measurement can basically be carried out precisely, but with a certain sluggishness compared to measurement with electrodes, which can be problematic, especially in interval training.

With the HRM-Pro Plus, Garmin is now offering a new chest strap for measuring heart rate, which should also measure other parameters and thus offer added value. In addition to measuring heart rate, the watch should also be able to measure heart rate variability - a feature that modern Garmin watches (affiliate link) also offer.

Runners should benefit from the collected values ​​for running efficiency. Specifically, according to the manufacturer, the 52-gram device can measure or calculate vertical movement, ground contact time, step length and vertical ratio. During indoor training, pace and distance data should be sent to a Garmin device via Bluetooth LE. ANT+ is supported. The battery life is estimated at one year with one hour of training per day.

The chest strap can also be used as a fitness tracker without a connected smartwatch or mobile phone, but then does not support precise recording of the distance due to the lack of its own GNSS module. Instead, users have to deal with the number of steps, heart rate, intensity minutes and the number of calories burned. The chest strap should be waterproof up to 5 ATM.

The HRM-Pro Plus is now available directly from the manufacturer at a price of just under $130.

#HRMProPlus #HRMstrap #GarminHRMProPlus

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My HRm Pro + review:

I upgraded my Garmin 405 to the Garmin 955 through a trade-in program and, in doing so, also upgraded my Heart Rate Monitor Strap (Garmin - HRM1B) and bike sensors to work with the 955. I love the 955, but the strap is a hot mess. I wanted the HRM Pro + strap to track my steps and heart rate without wearing the 955. Great I can wear the strap while doing yard work without possible damage to the 955. Another benefit is that the strap removes the need for a foot pod that I had to have for indoor running with the 405. It sounded like a win, win.

I had to fully extend the Garmin HRM Pro + strap to wear it; it was about as tight as the older Garmin HRM1B. The strap was a snuggle fit, but it didn't prevent breathing. I would have adjusted it to be a bit looser if I was able. Not much more, probably another inch, but the strap is as
loose as it can go. The area the strap fits around on me is 42", and the HRM1B may have had about an additional inch of play. The issue is the design of the HRM Pro +. It is an all-in-one design with the strap over-molded onto the fabric strap with a metal C Clasp to hold it in place. The C Clasp is supposed to be prevented from touching the skin with the use of a thin small pad that goes under it and between your skin and the C Clasp. The pad is not big enough, and the C Clasp causes the pad to become rigid against the skin and, for me, caused a large horizontal gash about two inches long after wearing it for about 4 to 6 hours while mowing the lawn and doing some yard work! The older Garmin HRM1B heart rate strap was a much better design. The sensor area was separate from the strap, didn't have sharp edges but was rounded with about 1/8" thickness, and connected clasps that were shaped to fit your chest better and never to cut into you! My older Garmin HRM1B still works with a few battery replacements but was so comfortable I could wear it for hours without issue, but it lacks the updated connectivity and capabilities of the HRM Pro +.

I contacted Garmin support about the strap cutting me, and they requested I send them the HRM back for review. I did so to help and provided in-depth thoughts on the design as well as pictures. I requested some sizing guidance and was told the HRM Pro + should be fine for a 42" chest measurement.

Below are Garmin’s questions and my answers regarding the HRM Pro +

Do you think that it may be the fabric tab and not the metal clasp?

>>
Great question, and after placing the strap on and looking at where the cut is, I was wondering the same thing. Admittedly I am not in the shape I once was
and after looking at this, I believe that bending or moving the tab with the clasp under it was rubbing my skin, and after some time, it irritated and cut into my skin.
I am unsure if the protected plastic tab (it doesn't look like fabric to me) or clasp (which looks to be plastic and smooth) caused the cut, but I believe it is a combination of both.
The clasp rests at the very top of the plastic tab and stiffens the edge of the tab, making it more likely to cut into flesh like a paper cut.
The plastic tab does have a fine edge. I believe this edge being supported by the clasp under it caused the cut. (See attached)
There isn't enough plastic tab to roll over the clasp allowing the edge to collapse, reducing the edge contacting the body during movement.
I might suggest making the tab wider so it can flex and bend over the clasp as the body moves, or a Velcro option might work as long as the Velcro edge is below the strap edge.
Another option might have a material you wrap over the clasp and lock it in place with Velcro or make the plastic tab thicker like found on the older Garmin HRM1B. (See Pic)

Also, do you think there is enough band that we can try a little looser next time? Or are you at the end of the band? Let me know, and I appreciate the help.

>>
As discussed, the band is adjusted fully open, and no slack is available. I didn't feel the band digging in, but my skin and flesh were pressed into the band at the plastic tab/clasp area during movement.
The measure I took just below my pectoral muscles where I wear the strap was 42". The older Garmin HRM1B strap is just a bit looser and has more strap adjustment available but has a thicker
band in the same area; the HRM Pro + clasp and plastic tab rest on your body. (See attached) The HRM1B strap is connected to my 955 and is called HR - 28350 in the 955 settings.
I did try to loosen the HRM Pro + a little bit more, but the stitching of the seam at the length adjustment area prevents this and will bunch up, creating a less-than
smooth strap. (See attached) The strap was a snuggle fit, but it didn't prevent breathing. I would have adjusted it to be a bit looser if I was able. Not much more, probably another inch, but the strap is as
loose as it can go.

Ok, so I receive a replacement, and it is still too small to fit, but the over-molded area of the sensors has a sharp edge you can feel with your fingers! The other band did not have a sharp edge like the replacement leading me to believe there are manufacturing issues. I wore the band for less than an hour, and it was cutting into me where the sensor over-mold area was sharp to touch. The C Clasp was just as bad, and I could feel it start to dig in there as well. I am highly disappointed in this strap and will return it and use the older Garmin strap until I find something else. I see some other reviewers have had similar experiences with the HRM Pro + strap, and it might be the strap is just a bit tight, and the edges need to be a bit wider with a rounded edge to make it as comfortable as the older Garmin HRM1B. Per Garmin, the HRM Pro + is meant to be a throw-away strap with about a two-year life expectancy! Wow, I think that tells it all when the older Garmin strap is still working today. I am sure this strap will work for some, but I cannot recommend it at this time.