Key Takeaways
- Garmin HRM-Match is designed for sports activities bra wearers, clipping onto a sports activities bra as an alternative of utilizing a full chest strap.
- It provides correct information and is simple to put on.
- It is pricier than different Garmin fashions, although it fills a distinct segment for individuals who dislike conventional chest straps.
It is no secret that almost all merchandise are designed for and by males, which is why chest-based coronary heart fee screens do not all the time play pleasant with sports activities bras. So, when Garmin announced a heart rate monitor designed particularly for ladies (or anybody who wears a sports activities bra), I used to be intrigued.
As an alternative of utilizing a strap that goes all the best way round, it’s a partial band that clips onto a sports activities bra. That cuts down on tight straps, which is unquestionably good. However does it nonetheless work properly? And is it value having?
Most chest-based heart rate monitors use a band that goes all the best way round your chest. It falls at roughly the identical spot because the band on most sports activities bras, which might get uncomfortable. It will also be tough to get it in the precise spot and to maintain it there with a sports activities bra. To ensure that my chest-based heart monitor to remain in place, I’ve to have it fairly tight, which will get previous when I’ve it on for lengthy durations.
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Garmin took a brand new strategy with its HRM-Match. As an alternative of utilizing a strap that goes all the best way round, it’s a partial band that clips onto a sports activities bra. That cuts down on tight straps, which is unquestionably good. However does it nonetheless work properly? And is it value having? I attempted it out for a couple of weeks and, admittedly, have some combined emotions.
Garmin HRM-Match
As an alternative of a strap that goes across the chest, the Garmin HRM-Match makes use of clips that connect the monitor to a sports activities bra band for a extra comfy match.
- Information correct information
- Snug and straightforward to put on
- Supplies entry to operating dynamics with a suitable Garmin watch
Worth, specs, and availability
The Garmin HRM-Match is accessible at a spread of outlets for $150.
Garmin HRM-Match
- Model
- Garmin
- Battery Life
- As much as 12 months
- Worth
- $150
- IP ranking
- 3 ATM
- Dimensions
- 13.2 x 1.3 x 0.7 inches
- Colours
- Black
Design, supplies, and match
A easy, easy design makes it splendid to make use of.
Once I first took the HRM-Match out of the field, I used to be a bit stunned by the bulkiness. I knew it needed to clip on one way or the other, however it nonetheless stunned me how a lot these clips protruded. Regardless of having basically half the quantity of strap because the HRM-Professional, it weighs an oz. extra.
The HRM-Match makes use of three clips throughout the strap to carry it in place: one on either side and the third over the place the module is. These are product of plastic, however they really feel actually sturdy. It is vital to notice that not all sports activities bras will work with the HRM-Match. Garmin specifies that it’s suitable with medium- and high-support sports activities bras. The principle factor to remember is that you simply want a particular band to connect it to, and that band must fall on the proper place in your chest. Lengthy-line sports activities bras will not work, for instance, as it will sit manner too low. I additionally discovered that bras with a thicker band are a bit difficult to fit into the areas the place the clips will maintain it, although not unimaginable.
Although Garmin does not specify a fabric for its straps, the HRM-Match feels precisely the identical as the opposite Garmin coronary heart fee screens. My different Garmin screens have lasted ages with little put on, so I am assured that the HRM-Match might be no completely different.
There are cleansing directions proper on the strap as properly, so should you, like most, immediately throw out the directions, you may all the time have these as a reminder to clean your strap.
At 1.2 by 2.2 by 0.6 inches, the module on the HRM-Match is simply barely bigger than the one on the HRM-Professional Plus. It is powered by a CR2032 and requires a coin or flathead screwdriver to open the battery compartment. That door is sort of cosy, so it took some work to get it off the primary time, however that does present extra confidence if utilizing this within the water.
Options, software program, and expertise
Severe athletes rejoice.
Like different coronary heart fee screens, the HRM-Match provides ANT+ and Bluetooth Sensible connectivity. It helps as much as three Bluetooth connections and limitless ANT+ connections. This implies you’ll be able to pair it with watches, biking computer systems, and even treadmills and Peloton machines.
Garmin packs numerous capabilities into its coronary heart fee screens, and the HRM-Match is not any completely different. It has almost similar options to the HRM-Pro Plus. On the primary stage, that features real-time coronary heart fee transmission when out of the water and coronary heart fee variability (HRV) assist. The extra superior options embody Garmin Operating Dynamics, Indoor tempo and distance information, Garmin Operating Energy, Cross Nation Snowboarding Energy, and offline exercise assist. All of these are solely attainable when paired with a suitable Garmin watch, nevertheless.
What is Garmin Connect and how do you use it?
See the well being and health information out of your Garmin units in all its glory utilizing the Garmin Join app.
You may additionally be capable of pair the HRM-Match with the Garmin Connect app, which lets you seize depth, steps, energy, and coronary heart fee when you do not put on a watch throughout a exercise. The app may even present you the battery standing of the strap inside the exercise abstract information.
Efficiency whereas understanding
An excellent grip with correct information.
On my first use, I used to be a bit involved about how properly the strap would keep in place. After clipping the HRM-Match onto the underside of a sports activities bra, I used to be happy to find that it feels actually stable. Even with bouncing and shifting round rather a lot, it does not budge. I did not do any HIIT exercises however did pull on it whereas hooked up to my sports activities bra, and it did not budge. Regardless of that, there are additionally no sharp tooth that would rip a sports activities bra, which is appreciated since these aren’t low-cost.
I might suggest placing your sports activities bra on first after which attaching the HRM-Match. That ensures you get it in the precise place but in addition that it will not be bunched up if you put the sports activities bra on. Remember to get the sensors barely moist earlier than placing it on, too.
The largest motive I used to be excited concerning the HRM-Match is that I often wish to take my coronary heart fee monitor off as quickly as I am carried out with a exercise. I get actually sick of getting one thing so tight round my chest for prolonged durations of time. That undoubtedly is not the case with the HRM-Match. I barely even discover it’s on me, which is unquestionably refreshing. I believed I might discover that bulk, however fortunately, aside from when my arms had been near my physique, I didn’t.
I barely even discover it’s on me, which is unquestionably refreshing.
Whereas Garmin’s coronary heart fee sensor tech will be reliably correct, the important thing to getting correct information with coronary heart fee screens is to have them tight in opposition to your physique. Whereas my sports activities bra is pretty tight, in comparison with how I put on a traditional chest strap, it’s comparatively free. I used to be involved that I would not get correct information or that it will reduce out throughout a exercise if it did not have a ok connection to my pores and skin. Fortunately, although, that hasn’t been the case.
I could not double-up on chest-based coronary heart fee screens like I do when reviewing watches, however I did examine the guts fee information to my Garmin Epix Pro on a couple of bike rides (the HRM-Match was paired with my Garmin head unit, not the watch). The numbers had been basically similar for the whole thing of all of these rides.
Coros Heart Rate Monitor review: Armed with information
Consolation and reliability make the Coros Coronary heart Charge Monitor armband an excellent different to a chest strap.
Verdict: is the HRM-Match value it?
I legitimately just like the HRM-Match and recognize how significantly better it really works for my physique and preferences with a sports activities bra. It is comfy to put on even for lengthy exercises, stays put it doesn’t matter what, is comparatively straightforward to placed on and take off (relying on the bra), and gives correct information.
My principal qualm with the HRM-Match is the value. The system does not use any revolutionary or fancy know-how that is not already in Garmin’s coronary heart fee screens. But, it’s $20 greater than the already dear HRM-Professional Plus. It looks like simply one other occasion of a pink tax, with girls’s gadgets costing greater than males’s for no actual motive. It is disappointing and irritating, to say the least.
My principal qualm with the HRM-Match is the value. The system does not use any revolutionary or fancy know-how that is not already in Garmin’s coronary heart fee screens.
All-in-all, whereas I, to date, desire this to a standard chest strap, it does appear to resolve a slightly area of interest downside that not everybody has. In case you aren’t bothered by the straps of conventional chest-based screens, then it merely does not make sense to spend a bit additional on this. However for individuals who, like me, hate tight straps and wish additional information, it appears value it to spend a bit extra.
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