Training with a heart rate monitor is becoming something of a given among serious SUP and prone paddlers. Connor Baxter uses one and we have been recommending training by heart rate from day one .

Stand up paddleboard racers have it easy. Any waterproof heart rate monitor will work. For prone paddlers, the situation is much different because traditional heart rate monitor chest straps are torture devices for prone paddlers.  The good news is that we were recently turned on to an optical device that works when submerged in the water.

Previously we tested a heart rate monitor that used optical technology that was worn on the wrist and the results were discouraging.   That situation has changed with the new Schosche Rhythm Plus Heart Rate Monitor.

Upper arm performance

In our testing (n=2 paddlers over several paddle sessions) the Schoche monitor performed flawlessly when worn on the forearm. At no point in multiple paddles did the device lose the signal. Wearing a band on your forearm, however, takes a little getting used to. Until you get used to it, it feels like it will fall off and slip down your arm. Moreover, the strap needs to be just snug enough so that it does not slip but not too snug that it cuts off your circulation. We tried the band on the bicep but there was too much motion (e.g. rubbing) during the normal flexion and extension of the elbow while paddling.

Ankle performance

A few months ago we heard rumors there were some paddlers in California that were wearing this device on their ankle. Although they swear that it works on the ankle, in our testing we could not reproduce their results. The readings from the device were discordant with our effort and the signal was often lost.  Our recommendation is to try it on your ankle (which would be ideal if you are a prone paddler) but if it does not work – don’t be surprised.

Pairing with our Garmin 910XT

The Scosche Rhythm Plus uses ANT+ technology. Pairing with our Garmin 910XT was flawless. We have no issues to report.

BUT….. there is one complaint that you need to be aware of before you run out and buy one

The only real complaint we have about this device is that the Velcro used in the strap is a little flimsy. There was one instance during interval testing where the Velcro came apart. This is a big issue because if the Velcro comes apart there is a good chance that you will lose the device. We never lost ours but we do not wear the device going through the surf because we were worried about it becoming dislodged. If we had one wish for the Scosche Rhythm Plus V.2.0 it would be more robust Velcro on the band. We are told that some paddlers tape over the band so it does not come apart. We are looking into alternate bands and/or having stronger Velcro sewed into the existing band.

Bottom line: if you are a prone paddler and you want to add heart rate training to your workouts – look no further than the Schoche Rhythm Plus.  Maybe Santa will give us a more robust closing mechanism on the band because if we lose this in the water we are going to be very upset.

Full disclosure: Our first unit was purchased at full retail price. Schoche sent us a replacement device when we reported that it did not work on our ankle during testing. We were not charged for the second device. It turns out the first device was not defective. Both devices worked on our forearms. Schoche did not review or have input on this article before posting. We do not receive financial compensation from Scosche.