Garmin HRM-Fit Review // The Best Women's Specific Heart Rate Monitor?

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[intosite]

I think garmin should totally drop the fixed pod to strap design and go back to the older clip in design with interchangeable straps. Have a 9yr old hrm run since fenix 2 and changed countless of straps. Having the main unit life span tied to the strap isn't a great design decision.

[ActiveIdeas]

Awesome video Des, I’m gutted that this isn’t the Whoop armband competitor which some rumours were pointing towards it being but it’s cool to see innovation for women-specific tech 🌟

[mweshy]

I would totally wear this. The traditional strap feels constricting after some miles, so something that doesn't go around my torso, in addition to my bra, is huge. Love the extra stats it comes with. However would trade those for the ability to charge it instead of batteries, and also interchangeable straps.

[msoneofakind]

I appreciate you reviewing this; I love your channel! Funnily enough, I just purchased the HRM Pro-Plus! After that, I started wondering about how I would manage it with a sports bra and didn't see a woman's perspective. I'm happy Garmin considered the female market. 

With compatibility, the Venu series was mentioned. The Venu 2 and 3 series ARE compatible with the HRM Pro-Plus and new HRM-Fit, including the Venu 2 Sq. Customer support confirmed my Venu 3s was compatible with the Pro-Plus.

Great video, Des! I truly enjoy how thorough and consistent you are with your reviews!

*Side Note/Tip: Find out via Garmin Support if they offer any discounts on what you plan to purchase! I made a call to customer care with questions about the HRM Pro-Plus. After that, I politely asked if any discounts were available. As a one-time courtesy, they gave me 50% off the HRM Pro-Plus, and I had free 2-day shipping as an option. I am a long-term customer, though.

Sorry this is long!

[hotelvasthorizon]

I already have the HRM pro plus, but if I ever need to replace it, I would consider buying this. I do like that Garmin is developing women-specific products

[bennywallis]

Benny over here in Australia.. I've been lucky enough to be involved with Garmin Australia for the past 9 years and probably 7 to 8 years ago, I had this same thought process of the strap ( the same original one you have as a tester ) and I thought, what would be a good way to have these as a product for females.. My thoughts were a sports bra with slits or small cutouts as the strap could be attached just like a belt in a pair of jeans.. I think by memory, back then, there was a company in the UK that sort of had that idea on the go before me.. If there were a few ladies sport bra companies just making a simple sports bra, any could work which wouldn't be too uncomfortable I'd say.. I do however love this idea and hopefully with feedback like yours and some others testing it, It'll be perfect in a model or two.. Thanks again for another great review..

[theghostofpcs]

I like the idea that they are thinking of us sports bra users, but I don't think I would be able to use this one. I use the polar verity sense, because I just can't fit a chest strap with my bulky, underwired sports bra. It looks like this new model would interfere with the underwire as well.

[bisqik]

Hey @DesFit, great review:) When can we expect news/video on Lily 2?

[cynbillings]

Thanks so much for this review. I wore one of the old Polar straps and about 15 years ago, a garmin chest strap. They used to slip frequently and cut into my skin. Therefore, I was considering one of these bra attach ones BUT when Dusty said the strap wasn’t too bothersome and didn’t slip down, I thought perhaps over the last decade improvements have been made in the chest straps so they don’t slip or cut like they used to. I sometimes wear minimal bras (like Dusty) and I’m considering just getting the wrap around strap because it’s still not too inconvenient and it’s more affordable. I’d appreciate any one else’s comments/thoughts. I’m smaller busted A+/B- 😂

[MateHegyhati]

Thanks Des, Dusty and the "other girl"! 🙂

[mlegrand]

Umm, my wife would love this thing. She hates it when I ask her to wear 8 watches and 5 HR straps just to go for an easy morning run. 🤦‍♂

[TischTosh]

I just bought Garmin's fancy HRM 2 months ago, and I hate using it bcs it won't stay up (I am older and slim), so I guess I'll just need to buy some clips and jury-rig my own....

[gearsofmedicine]

As soon as I showed my wife, she said - it much have been designed by a man - it does not look comfortable. They should have included different sizes/lengths.

[cincee]

I’ve worn mine many, many times and it has never moved or been uncomfortable. Did Dusty read the directions? It clearly says to wear a very particular type of sports bra with a wide band at the bottom and unless she is a tiny, like less than 32” chest I can’t remotely see how you could feel it. This thing is WAY more comfortable and so much easier than a standard strap. And that pod sits on the OUTSIDE of the bra. Talk to women that HAVE worn traditional HRMs with a strap and you’ll get a more aligned review. I’m thrilled with my HRM-Fit!!!

[IsabelleWhittaker]

Is this an alternative for capturing data for those who work in healthcare settings where they enforce the 'bare below the elbows' policy? I'm about to spend 3 months working in such a setting and won't be able to wear my Forerunner 255 😞 Thank you for any advice

[michellej]

Can’t see it working as it’s a universal fit and we’re not all built the same! Due to this fact we also require different styles of sports bras. How many small backed large busted women did they try it on!

[TheDude-mn]

The reason why you use a coin for it is because in Australia there are rules about eause of opening battery compartments. That's why Garmin still sells both the HRM and HRM Pro.

[KarlaMorales-hplf]

I just Bought one and it gets disconnected I will use my old one 🤨 if you read the graphic sometime doesn’t read my heart

[TonyCarrolls]

Suunto tried this a few years ago and Mrs C had one. The bra did what all well used sports bras do and it literally fell apart at the seams and was useless. Great idea, doesn't work in the real world.

[EricS-ufmv]

Awesome review Des. Info packed as usual. But everyone can see this is a product looking to solve a problem that largely doesn't exist for women or men. This new product's MAJOR fault? It's overall accuracy and physical fit is 100% dependent on EXTERNAL factors.... namely your clothing! Frankly that's dumb. We have enough performance variables impacting our workouts already. Garmin wants to add more? Even worse, we have ENOUGH barriers/excuses for NOT working out! Garmin's giving me another? You know what I'm talking about!! Like... 'Whoops, my ONE sports bra with a wide-enough band for attaching my HRM is dirty. Guess I can't go running today! Awwww...."

<rant> Garmin, your HRM straps are overkill and overpriced. Nobody needs to know GCT down to the millisecond, or vertical oscillation, or Vert. ratio, or GCT balance. Most of these metrics are pace dependent anyways. This RAW DATA isn't useful to anyone... even PRO runners on $500, 000/yr contracts don't need this info. If their coaches actually cared, they would rent lab facilities (or just fly their athletes back to HQ) to collect accurate data in a controlled environment. Courtney Dauwalter isn't fretting about a .03% Left/Right foot imbalance as she's crushing UTMB's 10, 000m of altitude gain. U shouldn't either. Bottom line - If you want accurate HR and year long battery life, ANY bog standard $30-50 electronic chest strap off Amz will offer near IDENTICAL performance as Garmin's flagship straps. OTOH if you desire absolute CONVENIENCE and are willing to sacrifice battery life in lieu of weekly recharging, then buy a dedicated, UPPER ARM, optical HRM module. You'll pay a premium and receive slightly worse performance (namely lag) but they're super convenient. But I'd never recommend spending $120+ on Garmin HRM straps offering dubious raw metrics but lacking even the basics like user replaceable, $15 elastic bands! At least THIS new women's only model won't become useless after a few years due to band wear. </rant>