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HRM strap chafing...

KkauferKkaufer
in General Training Discussions

Probably because the strap is a bit loose, my HRM strap has been moving around quite a bit on my past few runs, leaving me with a bit of 'road rash' despite the fact that I use bodyglide quite extensively.  I've decided to go without for a few days to let the wound heal a bit because it's a bit painful and looks kinda nasty....  Any suggestions on how to best fix this? I've been smearing Vaseline over it to avoid more irritation, but was wondering if anyone knows of a super secret potion... thanks!

 

PS: I've had issues w/ the Garmin soft strap in the past, but never w/ the Timex strap. Anyone else have this problem? thanks

Comments

  • russGrussG

    Hi Kate - Sounds uncomfortable.

    I dislike wearing the straps, and I have gotten chaffed from time to time... these days I'll wear them maybe once a week, which I decide in advanced based on what I want to do with the data.  

    During the workout I no longer look at HR - in-the-monent monitoring is all about pace and power.  Every so often - maybe once every couple of weeks I like to have a benchmark of HR vs. pace/power.  I just wear the strap much less often, and never two days in a row, so the problem has gone away.

    Maybe now that you have your quarf, you can forego the strap most days?

  • Marc RobardsMarc Robards

     DC Rainmaker had an article about fixing HR strap chafing...it may help:


     

     

     
  • KkauferKkaufer

    Thanks Marc. DCR is my go-to-guy for all gadget stuff, but it never occurred to me that he'd have written on this as well. The guy's a national treasure! I guess I have to do a better job of cleaning the strap; and making sure it's dry; and maybe wearing it less.

    Russ, you're right - I definitely don't need it on my Quarf (should I have that TM'd??) . It's the run I'm more interested in watching HR data, although why, i couldn't tell you. I'm just curious ...

  • Paula Nystrom Paula Nystrom
    Vaseline is the only thing that works for me. I have had numerous issues with this, and vaseline is the only thing that solved the issue... I have tried many other solutions.
  • DanielaDaniela
    I was without a HRM strap for a few months, then started using one again with the OS started. I got some shower screaming rubbing going on.

    The best fix I have found is putting a piece of athletic tape where the rubbing is (on me, not the strap). There is enough stickyness that it stays put and peels off without hurting.
  • Jess WithrowJess Withrow
    Hey Kate!

    William Jenks started a similar thread about this a while back... not sure if anything in there is a repeat of what's already above, but figured I'd send you the link to the thread just in case. The DCR post came up then as well... That guy doesn't miss a thing!!! http://tinyurl.com/cgqjytm
  • marathonmanmarathonman
    Hey Kate a few months ago I bought a bottle of trislide, and used it for Ironman Canada. I had been having trouble with blisters and this stuff solved my problem I also use it as lubricant for my bike shorts...

    Hope this helps
  • William JenksWilliam Jenks
    The bandaid (on the strap) and body glide tricks help. Still not perfect, but much better. I've not had the luck with the bandaids staying on that DCR reports. Have considered going for cloth athletic tape, but haven't tried it yet.
  • Jess WithrowJess Withrow
    I don't know if this would work or not, but how about trying some pre-wrap? You'd have to wrap it the whole way around... maybe a few times... but it might work. Pre-wrap is the stuff that athletic trainers/etc put on before they tape up an injury. You can usually find it at sporting goods stores. I guess it depends on how desperate you are to find a solution!
  • Steve WestSteve West
    I use flexible fabric bandaids for chafing from HRM, shirt on nipples or sometimes from tri top zippers. I almost never have a problem with them coming off.
  • [Deleted User][Deleted User]

     I assume you've tightened the strap? If you've been working out a lot, losing a little weight, it could make a difference. 

    My wife, while breast feeding our first child, discovered the wonder-potion for all things chafing/raw/irritated: lanolin balm. One trade name I know is Lansinoh.  The stuff works miracles - soothes, heals, protects. Trust me -- if it weren't for Lansinoh, our first child would have starved week one, and we'd never have had a second!!!!!!  I could go into more detail, but that would be TMI. 

    I strongly recommend it for something like HR strap chafing, both for prevention and for cure. 

  • Stephanie StevensStephanie Stevens
    Kate,

    I have used both athletic tape and moleskin under my HRM strap. Just have to be sure not to cover the lead areas. It doesn't bother me when I bike, but really bothers me when I run.
  • William JenksWilliam Jenks
    @Steve - I must just have special glue-dissolving sweat :-)
  • KkauferKkaufer

    Thanks for the feedback guys.  Just to close the loop on this: so I let my wound heal and then tried again, this time tightening the strap, thoroughly cleaning it and putting on an extra layer of lube.  Same result!  So, after again I let the flesh wound heal, I wore my TIMEX HRM yesterday (bike+run) and today (run) -- no problem at all.  Now for the life of me, i can't tell any difference between the Garmin strap and the Timex, but the latter works for me, so i've paired it with my various devices and will make this my go-to solution. Plus, it's easier to change the battery on the Timex!

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