Product test

Garmin HRM-Pro: a heart rate monitor that somehow doesn't have its finger on the pulse

17.11.2020

Translation: machine translated

With the HRM-Pro, Garmin has brought a heart rate monitor onto the market that leaves me baffled. A product that somehow seems to be superfluous. With one exception.

Recently, there has been a new addition to the Garmin heart rate monitors, or HRM for short. New on the market is the HRM-Pro, which was already described in detail when it was introduced to our range:

Pro always sounds good in principle. But a closer look reveals a few questions. Not only for me, but also in the Community:

Who should the HRM-Pro be for anyway?

Does this belt even need to be used? According to Garmin, the HRM-Pro records running, swimming and other training sessions. It transmits heart rate data in real time via ANT+ and Bluetooth Low Energy. This allows you to consistently receive precise heart rate data on your Garmin device, in online training apps such as Zwift or on compatible fitness equipment in the gym.

Heart rate belts

Garmin HRM-Pro

The pictograms on the HRM-Pro module show a swimmer, cyclist and runner. So a triathlon belt? Wrong. This already exists with the HRM-Tri, as well as the HRM-Run for runners and the HRM-Swim for swimmers. Nevertheless, according to Garmin, triathletes are also part of the target group. Somehow doesn't make sense. Especially considering the material of the strap. This is only suitable for open water. But not for pool training in chlorinated water. For that, you need the HRM-Swim again.

Heart rate belts

Garmin HRM-Pro

An egg-laying wool-milk sow that isn't one

And that's the problem with the HRM-Pro. Garmin's intention was probably to develop the egg-laying wool-milk sow of heart rate belts. The result is a hybrid that can do a little bit of everything. In addition to heart rate, the HRM-Pro records running efficiency values. This includes data such as vertical movement, ground contact time, stride length, vertical ratio and many more. Tri and Run also do the same. Here you can find an overview of the various functions of the individual HRMs from Garmin. The entire range of heart rate belts can be found here.

HRM-Pro: the all-rounder for swimmers, cyclists and runners?

Fixed module

Another disadvantage: the module and the strap are permanently installed together. Unlike Polar, for example, the module cannot be separated from the strap. But that would be the solution to the dilemma. One module that can do everything and various straps for different applications, such as swimming in open water or indoors in chlorinated water.

Do you really need a separate HRM for every application?

Conclusion: unnecessary, but ...

Does I need this belt? Not for me as an individual athlete in this form. But now comes the big but. The HRM-Pro has an internal memory with space for around 18 hours of training. After the activity, the measured data is sent to the connected smartwatch. This is an advantage for contact or team sports because the watch does not have to be worn, but remains in the wardrobe. And the HRM-Pro can also be useful for climbing. Whether outdoors or indoors when bouldering: The watch stays in the rucksack or in the wardrobe and doesn't get scratched. So the new heart rate strap makes sense. Otherwise, it's not really in tune with the times.

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Patrick Bardelli

Senior Editor

Patrick.Bardelli@digitecgalaxus.ch

From radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.

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