Garmin HRM - Heart Rate Monitor Strap

As an upgrade from the older HRM Run, the HRM-Pro Plus offers a number of improvements. The Bluetooth connectivity is a standout feature, allowing easy pairing with your Garmin device and providing real-time battery level information. The screwless battery door is a convenient touch, eliminating the hassle of dealing with tiny screws that can rust and break over time.While the standalone function isn’t particularly useful for most runners who typically wear a watch, the ability to pair with other apps via Bluetooth could be a valuable feature for those who prefer a different app ecosystem.The strap itself is comfortable and fits securely, offering a similar experience to the HRM Run. While I haven’t conducted scientific tests, the HR accuracy seems to be on par with other Garmin heart rate monitors.Overall, the HRM-Pro Plus is a solid upgrade over the HRM Run, especially if you can find a good deal during a sale like Black Friday. The Bluetooth connectivity and screwless battery door make it a more convenient and durable option.However, if you're on a budget, the HRM Run is still a capable heart rate monitor.

I’ve been using the Garmin HRM-Pro Plus for the past 10 days with my Garmin Fenix 7X, primarily for running and CrossFit, and I’ve been really impressed with its performance. If you’re looking for a reliable heart rate monitor that delivers consistent results, this is a fantastic option.Accurate Heart Rate Tracking:The HR data is very accurate and consistent. I’ve compared the readings with my Whoop 4.0 (bicep strap), and the numbers are nearly identical. Unlike the Whoop wrist strap, which often underestimates heart rate in higher zones (4-5), the HRM-Pro Plus delivers precise readings across all intensity levels.One-Time Payment – A Major Advantage:One of the best aspects of the HRM-Pro Plus is that it’s a one-time purchase. With Whoop’s subscription model, costs add up over time, but with Garmin, you pay once and enjoy the benefits without any ongoing fees. This was a big factor in my decision to switch to Garmin as my main HR monitor.Learning Curve with the App:The only downside I’ve encountered is the Garmin Connect app interface. It’s not the most intuitive and takes a bit of time to get used to. However, once you get past the learning curve, it’s manageable.In Summary:I’m extremely satisfied with the Garmin HRM-Pro Plus and plan to make it my primary HR monitor for workouts. Given that my Fenix 7X already does an excellent job tracking sleep and recovery, I’m confident I can retire my Whoop altogether. If you’re looking for accuracy, consistency, and a solid alternative to subscription-based fitness trackers, this is a great choice.

I went through 2 basic heart rate monitors that each cost about £30-40, within around 5 months.I bought this, with the seemingly high price; but it would have been a good decision to buy in the first place, because it's now lasted 1 year without a single issue. works perfectly every time, automatically. I just put it on and run; no waiting for it to connect or anything.I have the Garmin Fenix 6 sapphire which doesnt give any stats like vertical oscillation or GCT or L/R balance; which im aware are available on the newer watches. I dont think there are many additional features on the newer watches, yet they cost more than £80-90 more than my current Fenix 6 Sapphire for sure. So for this price, I got a perfectly accurate, reliable heart rate monitor, AND essentially a watch upgrade.Im sure the above metrics are more accurate on a centrally placed chest strap, compared to newer watches that figure your L/R balance from just your single arm movement too. Same for vertical oscillation. whether or not I find these extra features useful or not is another question =PIf you're like me and about to buy a HR monitor with decent reviews, for £40 (noting that the cheap ones arent actually cheap!); then just consider the saying "buy cheap, buy twice".THe cheap ones that broke on me with a couple of months also had 1 year warranties. I emailed them and got no response... so another reason to just splash the cash on the Garmin brand (as they are much more likely to address any problems).

If you are serious about tracking your fitness, a chest strap is an essential bit of kit for exercising. While you may have a watch with a built in function, it won’t give you accurate results. Plus this model gives you useful extra info on things like running cadence so if good if you want to geek out or work on your running form. This works and is waterproof so great for running and swimming. Depending on offers at the time, you’ll pay anything between £70 and £100 for this. That’s on the pricey side IMO but my Garmin Tri heart strap gave up the ghost after about 3 years of moderate usage so I bought this to replace it. I paid the lower end of the scale, so if I get three years out of it I’ll consider it decent value.