When swimming, the sensor OH1+ collects the data from your workout and then pairs it to the Polar app on your smartphone when you have completed your swim. Storing up to a whopping 20 hours of heart rate data, it then gives you the ability to move it to a watch or other device when you’re finished. When you’re actually swimming, though, it also sends real-time heart rate and interval summaries to the watch so you aren’t left wondering how you’re performing. What you pay for in accuracy, though, is made up for in comfort, convenience, and features with a smartwatch. These are devices designed to monitor you all day and often come with more features than just simple BPM monitoring. Heart rate watch accuracy explained Garmin is known to be running and cyclist friendly, but for the price I would've hoped that it would be versatile for other types of exercise too. I was able to test out the Garmin first during a strength training session via the Future app, which already syncs up with my Apple Watch. I'm not sure if this was a user error, but what stood out to me is that the data it provided seemed exaggerated. During a workout that was 45 minutes long, it told me that I'd burned over 4,000 calories, while my Apple watch told me I'd burned a total of 241 calories. Discrepancies like this go to show you that you shouldn't always rely on the data provided by your wearables.

Although wearable companies will happily tell you how accurate their optical sensors are, this is only in a best case scenario (i.e. when you are dry and barely moving your arms). It connects to devices using ANT+ - and has a 5ATM waterproof rating that makes it safe for pool and open water swimming. The Verity Sense is an upgrade on Polar’s previous armband, the OH1. It offers a longer battery life at 20 hours (vs 12 on the OH1), and is waterproof to 50m as opposed to 30m. It also has more internal memory for storing workouts, and three modes you can switch between, with LEDs on the device showing which one you’re in. The first mode is for when you want to connect it to a watch or phone, the second is to record a workout on the Verity Sense itself, and the third is a swimming mode, during which you can strap it to your goggles. The iOS and Android-friendly strap boasts Bluetooth and ANT+, so you can pair it to a whole host of devices and third-party apps - including even Garmin sports watches if you like.

HRM-Swim by Garmin topped our list of the best swimming heart rate monitors; chest straps that are snug-fit lessen the odds of falling or sliding off your abdomen as you push your way through the waters.

Here are some of the benefits of training with a waterproof heart rate monitor for swimmers: 1. Accurate Measurement of Heart Rate During Training This feature gives women users the ability to log their period symptoms to gain insight into fertility and potential health conditions right at your watch’s face. Understanding your limits and gradually increasing them by using your heart rate monitor will also give you enough confidence to set yourself more challenging goals and milestones. 3. Helps You Stay in Your Prescribed Training Zones Ready to take your swimming to the next level? Looking for an accurate way to measure heart rate while in the water? Here is a breakdown of the best waterproof heart rate monitors to take with you to the pool.

Polar H10 Heart Rate Sensor

Monitoring a swimmer’s heart rate while swimming can help to ensure they are training at the optimum intensity.