Heart Rate Monitor Problem - Crazy!

[rpeders3]

Okay, here's the latest issue. The heart rate monitoring works for my mom but not for my dad. My dad is actually quite thin (thinner than my mom) and for some reason when he wears it there is a blank screen where the HR should be. When my mom puts it on, her heart rate shows up immediately. When they switch again, it disappears. Are there some people for whom these chest straps don't work? I remember years ago I tried to get my dad's HR to show up on a SportsArt exercise bike and it wouldn't show for him but it would for me. This is very strange indeed. Any thoughts?

[mwright]

Okay, here's the latest issue. The heart rate monitoring works for my mom but not for my dad. My dad is actually quite thin (thinner than my mom) and for some reason when he wears it there is a blank screen where the HR should be. When my mom puts it on, her heart rate shows up immediately. When they switch again, it disappears. Are there some people for whom these chest straps don't work? I remember years ago I tried to get my dad's HR to show up on a SportsArt exercise bike and it wouldn't show for him but it would for me. This is very strange indeed. Any thoughts?

Since your dad is thinner, the contact on the heart rate monitor is not hitting his skin right. Don't know which one he has; I have a Polar monitor. Getting it wet a little before putting it helps, but what helps me the most is to position the center of the belt not in the midline, but to the left a little - it fits the curve of my ribcage better there. Have him play around with the position.

[Cyclist2]

I've had similar problems. Adjusting it as mwright suggests may help. I tighten the strap a little more than I would to be "comfortable". I use a gel electrical contact improver (I get it at Performance Bicycle, it's called "Heartbeat Signal Enhancer" but there are others as well). I also wet my chest or the strap with salt water, which also improves the signal until the sweat gets to flowing. If he has a really hairy chest, shaving just under the pecs where the strap sits may also help.

[Citroen]

Getting it wet a little before putting it helps ...

I normally lick my Suunto comfort belt to ensure a good contact (before I've started sweating).

Two other options are:
1. Shaving chest hair (which I won't do).
or
2. Electrode gel like http://fitnessgearusa.com/pd-conductivi ... itters.cfm