For triathletes, staying on top of their training is a major priority. With that said, one of the best ways to stay on top of your training is to use a heart rate monitor.
A heart rate monitor is an essential piece of training equipment for triathletes. This device allows you to reliably determine the intensity of your exercises. Therefore, you can work hard enough without overdoing it with each workout – effectively increasing your training efficiency.
If you are in the market for the best triathlon heart rate monitor, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we help you find the top-rated heart rate monitor that best fits your triathlon needs.
Best Triathlon Heart Rate Monitor | Key Features | Our Rating |
| Garmin HRM-Tri | Specifically designed for triathletes, Adjustable strap, Soft rounded edges and covered seams, Stores and forwards heart rate data to your compatible Garmin fitness device | 5/5 |
| Polar H10 | Built-in memory, Can be paired with a GoPro Hero 4 or 5 camera, Smart coaching when paired with a Polar wrist unit, Stay up-to-date with firmware updates, 400 hours battery life | 4.5/5 |
| Garmin Forerunner 310XT
| Waterproof to a depth of 50 meters, Tracks bike and run data, 20 hours of battery life, High-sensitivity GPS receiver with HotFix, Easy-to-read display, ANT+ wireless technology | 4/5 |
| Wahoo TICKR X | Battery life of up to 12 months, Built in memory, Personalized Heart Rate Training, Bluetooth 4.0 and ANT+ compatibility, Works with Wahoo RunFit + 50 Smartphone Apps | 4/5 |
| Timex T5K726 Ironman Target Trainer | Flex-Tech digital sensor, Three-workout chronograph memory, Two interval timers, Hydration and nutrition alerts, Indiglo Light-Up Watch Dial | 3.5/5 |
| Scosche Rhythm+ | Works with all Bluetooth smart and ANT+ Enabled devices, Green/Yellow Optical Sensors, 8 Hour Battery Life, IP67 Waterproof, Heart rate zone and training | 3.5/5 |
Contents
Best Triathlon Heart Rate Monitor
1. Garmin HRM-Tri
The Garmin HRM-Tri takes our top pick because not only is it specifically designed for triathletes, its performance is off the charts as well. It’s no wonder why it’s the choice of professionals.
The Choice of Professional Triathletes
Garmin has always been about their attention to detail. Garmin has made some of the best triathlon watches available, so it’s not surprising that its dedicated heart rate monitor is a winner as well.
For starters, the Garmin HRM-Tri is one of the lightest and smallest heart rate monitors around. It is a chest strap design which is good for accurate results. It’s a good thing that this HRM device is very comfortable. The bi-fold adjustment feature makes it a breeze to find the right comfortable fit.
This device is capable of storing up to 20 hours of heart rate data which should come in handy for most triathletes. This way, you can easily review all your workout data and make adjustments as you go. Transferring the data to a laptop or smartphone is very streamlined as well.
On top of providing heart rate metrics, the HRM-Tri also provides other information such as running form and dynamics. Its accelerometer ensures a high level of accuracy. When paired with other compatible Garmin devices, it can even measure vertical oscillation and cadence.
The HRM-Tri is a must-have heart rate monitor for hardcore triathletes.
2. Polar H10
Polar is another brand known for its fitness devices and these include their heart rate monitors. The Polar H10 is a go-to option for triathletes who value accuracy above all else.
One of the Most Accurate Sensors
The Polar H10 is not exactly a device designed for triathlons but more of a “catch-all” heart rate solution. However, its performance and accuracy are more than enough to meet the needs of triathletes.
Much like the previous heart rate monitor, the Polar H10 features a built-in memory and is sufficiently waterproofed. However, the main selling point of this monitor is that it comes with Bluetooth support. In addition to the ability to connect with other supported devices, the H10 can connect to smartphones and other Bluetooth-enabled devices too.
If you own a Polar wearable, you can connect it with the H10 for even better results. Otherwise, you can still use the Polar Beat app to transfer data to your smartphone.
Again, the Polar H10 is a masterclass in monitoring accuracy, thanks to its enhanced electrodes. The device is strapped to your chest and provides a good fit. There are silicone dots and a good buckle system to keep things comfortable.
The Polar H10 is powered by a replaceable battery with an impressive battery life of 400 hours.
3. Garmin Forerunner 310XT
If you want reliable heart rate monitoring with a lot more freedom, it’s hard to go wrong with the Garmin Forerunner 310XT. It’s a wrist-based device but it certainly belongs on this list of the best triathlon heart rate monitor.
A Triathlete’s Indispensable Training Tool
The Garmin Forerunner 310XT is mainly a GPS training tool but it’s not afraid with a little dip in the water.
This swim-proof device will track your cycling and running data, and send it wirelessly to your PC. The 50-meter waterproof rating means that you can use it to swim in a pool or lake. It’s a fairly slim device so you don’t have to worry about it getting in the way.
The heart rate monitor is optional but it doesn’t mean that it’s just an afterthought feature. Based on our tests, the Forerunner 310XT did a great job of continuously tracking the beats per minute. On top of that, it can even compute calories burned but it’s more of an estimated data than an accurate metric.
There are times when the heart rate monitor won’t read properly but it’s usually fixed with a soft reset.
The Forerunner 310XT is not the most advanced heart rate monitoring device out there but it’s reliable, robust, and a great triathlon training tool.
4. Wahoo TICKR X Heart Rate Monitor
Wahoo Fitness may not be as well-known as brands like Garmin or Polar but they do offer a robust heart rate monitor. The Wahoo TICKR X Heart Rate Monitor is an excellent heart rate device that won’t break the bank.
Excellent Heart Rate Monitoring for Less
The Wahoo TICKR X Heart Rate Monitor might be a fairly affordable option but it doesn’t that it is lacking in features. For triathlon training, you can measure your heart rate, rep count, calories burned, and provide training analytics.
Like all good heart rate monitors, the TICKR X comes with a built-in memory. This means that you can freely train without carrying a smartphone or any other device. Since the TICKR X is compatible with most fitness apps, it allows for incredible versatility.
Speaking of versatility, the TICKR X heart rate monitor can also several running analytics such as vertical oscillation, cadence, ground contact time, and more.
On the negative side, the TICKR X may not be the most durable heart rate monitor out there. I’m not sure it’s just a flawed unit but mine had some connectivity issues a few weeks after use.
Overall, the TICKR X from Wahoo Fitness is a solid budget-friendly heart rate monitor for triathletes.
5. Timex Ironman Target Trainer
The Timex Ironman Target Trainer heart rate monitor is considered a classic. However, it ranks low in our list of the best triathlon heart rate monitor because the competition just got hotter.
An Oldie But a Goodie HR Monitor
Don’t get us wrong, the Timex Ironman Target Trainer HR monitor is still a very reliable and robust training tool, despite being a fairly dated device.
If you have been working with Timex watches, you’ll find the Timex Ironman Target Trainer easy to use. Operating the device is an intuitive experience despite a large number of functions and features to access. The display is very legible even during intense training. However, it’s a big and bulky HR monitor.
As for the accuracy, the Timex Ironman Target Trainer did a great job of providing accurate readings. However, there are some times when the device struggles to find a signal. The Flex-Tech digital sensor helps with minimizing interference.
Other features include the Hydration alerts to ensure that you replenish at regular intervals. The Recovery Heart Rate feature is a useful indicator of your training and fitness level.
Ultimately, the Timex Ironman Target Trainer is an expensive HR monitor. However, it’s still a favorite among triathletes so take that as you will.
6. Scosche Rhythm+
If you are looking for a wrist-based HR monitor, the Scosche Rhythm+ is more than a decent option. It’s a feature-packed device and comes at a great price too.
Good Value and Very Solid Accuracy
The Scosche Rhythm+ is a solid solution for monitoring your heart rate all across the board. That’s right, you can even monitor your heart rate even when underwater. Triathletes can now keep their heart rate in check without needing a chest strap.
The Rhythm+ has 8 hours of battery life which could use a lot of improvement. If you are training daily, you’ll find yourself charging every so often which can get old pretty quick.
One particular thing that I like about the Rhythm+ is the heart rate zone. If you want to work with less intensity but longer, you can use the HR monitor to set it as such. This tool features advanced optical sensors for a precise BPM reading. With the Rhythm+, you can easily stay in your zone to ensure that you achieve your workout goals.
With that said, I have no problems recommending the Rhythm+ even to the most jaded triathletes.
Maximize Your Triathlon Training
With the right HR monitoring device, you’re on your way to getting the most out of your triathlon training. Hopefully, this quick buyer’s guide for the best triathlon heart rate monitor has helped you out.
