HRM-Tri and HRM-Swim: Garmin’s first swimming heart rate straps
Garmin’s 2015 HRM-Tri and HRM-Swim straps stored heart rate data underwater and transferred it to compatible watches after a swim.
In August 2015, Garmin introduced HRM-Tri™ and HRM-Swim™, its first straps for recording heart rate underwater. Garmin described them as its smallest and lightest heart rate monitors, with a compact, comfortable design that minimized drag. The straps could store up to 20 hours of training data during a swim, transferring it to a compatible Garmin device once out of the water, and transmit heart rate in real time on land.
“Last autumn we launched the Forerunner 920XT, our most advanced multisport watch for triathlon,” said Andrew Silver, product manager for Garmin Fitness. “HRM-Tri and HRM-Swim give triathletes and swimmers comprehensive data to help them train for and achieve their goals.”
Designed specifically for triathletes, HRM-Tri recorded heart rate through every stage of a race. Its adjustable strap had rounded edges and soft seams for comfort both on land and in water. On land, it also recorded running dynamics, including cadence, vertical oscillation and ground contact time.
HRM-Swim used an anti-slip strap designed for pool swimming. Durable and compact, it stayed in place during push-offs while minimizing drag. It stored heart rate throughout the session and sent the data to a compatible Garmin device afterward. The watch could also display live heart rate when the wearer was out of the water.
The replaceable battery offered up to ten months of use in HRM-Tri and 18 months in HRM-Swim. After training or a race, users could analyze their data in Garmin Connect™ and Garmin Connect Mobile, free tools for saving, planning and sharing activities. Detailed statistics included time, distance, pace, strokes, SWOLF, heart rate charts and maps.
Both straps were compatible with the Forerunner 920XT, Fenix 3 and Epix, with availability expected in August 2015. Recommended prices were SEK 1,295 for HRM-Tri and SEK 995 for HRM-Swim. A triathlon special edition bundled a black/silver Forerunner 920XT, both straps and a quick-release mount for a recommended SEK 5,999.
