Why I Upgraded to the Garmin HRM-Pro Plus

Went through three cheaper chest straps before finally spending the money on Garmin’s premium option. Each previous strap had issues: inconsistent readings, straps that degraded, connections that dropped mid-workout. The HRM-Pro Plus solved all of it. Here’s what makes it worth the price difference.

Build Quality

The strap is genuinely comfortable. Soft material that doesn’t chafe even on multi-hour rides. The sensor pod is slim and stays in place. After a year of regular use, the strap shows minimal wear.

This durability matters more than initial purchase price. A $50 strap that needs replacing every 6 months costs more than a $130 strap that lasts 3+ years.

Connection Reliability

Dual transmission — ANT+ and Bluetooth simultaneously. Pairs with my Garmin watch, bike computer, and indoor trainer all at once. No dropouts, no pairing failures, no random disconnections mid-interval.

Previous straps would lose connection during hard efforts when I needed data most. The HRM-Pro Plus just works. That’s what makes premium heart rate monitors endearing to us data-focused athletes — reliability when it counts.

Heart Rate Accuracy

Chest straps are more accurate than wrist-based monitors, especially during high-intensity work. The HRM-Pro Plus reads correctly even during interval sessions when heart rate changes rapidly. No lag, no weird spikes, no missed beats.

For structured training with specific heart rate zones, accuracy matters. Wrist monitors work for general fitness; chest straps work for precise training.

Running Dynamics

If you run as cross-training, the HRM-Pro Plus captures running metrics: cadence, ground contact time, stride length, vertical oscillation. Data gets transmitted to compatible Garmin watches and analyzed in Garmin Connect.

I don’t obsess over running dynamics but occasionally review them. Ground contact time asymmetry, for example, can indicate developing injury. Nice to have even if not constantly monitored.

Swimming Capability

Water-resistant design works for swim training. Heart rate stores on the device during swimming (can’t transmit through water) and syncs to your watch afterward. Useful for triathletes tracking all three sports with one device.

Battery and Maintenance

User-replaceable CR2032 battery lasts about a year with regular use. Replacement takes seconds. No proprietary charging cables, no dead batteries at inconvenient times if you keep a spare.

Strap care is simple: rinse after sweaty workouts, air dry before storing, occasionally hand wash with mild soap. The strap outlasts cheaper alternatives by a significant margin.

Storage When Device-Free

Stores up to 20 hours of heart rate data internally. Useful for activities where you can’t or don’t want to carry a watch. Data syncs when you reconnect to a compatible device.

Integration

Works with Garmin ecosystem seamlessly. Also compatible with third-party apps like Zwift, TrainerRoad, and various gym equipment. Dual ANT+/Bluetooth covers most use cases.

Garmin Connect provides detailed analysis: heart rate zones over time, workout summaries, recovery metrics, long-term trends. The data ecosystem adds value beyond just raw heart rate numbers.

Cost Consideration

The HRM-Pro Plus costs more than basic heart rate monitors. Whether that’s justified depends on your use:

• Casual fitness tracking: probably not necessary
• Structured training with heart rate zones: worth considering
• Multi-sport training with running dynamics: definitely valuable
• Had reliability issues with cheaper straps: pays for itself in not replacing gear

Compared to Alternatives

Wahoo TICKR and Polar H10 are solid competitors at similar prices. All three are accurate and reliable. The choice often comes down to ecosystem preference and specific feature needs.

Cheaper straps work fine for some people. If you’ve had good luck with budget options, no need to upgrade. But for those frustrated with dropouts and inconsistency, premium straps resolve those problems.

Is It Worth It?

For serious training where heart rate data guides workouts, yes. For casual riding where heart rate is interesting but not critical, probably not. Match the tool to the use case.