Chest Strap vs Armband: Which Heart Rate Sensor Is Right for Your Team?

Whether you're coaching a team, running fitness classes, or managing group training sessions, tracking heart rate in real time gives you powerful insights. But to get reliable data, you need the right sensor — and that starts with choosing between a chest strap and an armband.

In this guide, we break down the differences between these two options and explain the underlying technologies — ECG (used in chest straps) and PPG (used in armbands) — so you can make the best choice for your athletes and your setup.

Chest Strap: High Accuracy with Electrical Signal Detection (ECG)

Chest straps detect heart rate by measuring the electrical signals generated by the heart. This is known as electrocardiography (ECG) — the same method used in medical devices for clinical-grade heart rate readings.

✅ Pros

• Extremely accurate at all intensities

• Fast response during rapid HR changes (e.g., sprints, intervals)

• Reliable during movement and sweat

• Long battery life (usually replaceable coin battery)

❌ Cons

• Must be worn on bare skin

• Some users find it tight or uncomfortable

• Slower to put on in group settings

Best for: Performance testing, competitive athletes, interval training, endurance sports, VO2max and Beep Tests

Armband: Comfortable and Convenient with Optical Sensing (PPG)

Armbands use photoplethysmography (PPG) — a method that shines light into the skin and measures changes in blood flow to estimate heart rate. Most armbands use green LEDs, and the sensor sits comfortably on the upper or lower arm.

✅ Pros

• Comfortable and easy to wear

• Fast setup for group classes or school settings

• No need for direct contact with chest or tight clothing

• Rechargeable battery via USB

❌ Cons

• Slightly less accurate than ECG, especially at high intensity

• Can be affected by motion, sweat, or loose placement

• Needs regular recharging (every few days)

Best for: Gyms, youth sports, group fitness, general conditioning, casual or recreational training

ECG vs PPG: How the Technology Works

Feature	ECG (Chest Strap)	PPG (Armband)
Sensor Type	Electrical (electrodes)	Optical (light-based)
Measures	Heart’s electrical activity	Blood flow under skin
Accuracy	Very high, clinical-grade	Good for steady cardio; less accurate during motion
Response Time	Instant	Slight lag during rapid HR changes
Comfort	Firm strap on chest	Comfortable band on arm
Setup Speed	Slower	Quick and beginner-friendly
Battery Life	Long (months)	Shorter (days)

Choosing the Right Sensor for Pulses App

The Pulses app works with both chest straps and armbands — as long as they use Bluetooth and support real-time HR broadcasting.

Here’s how to match the right sensor to your training needs:

Use Case	Best Sensor	Type
Competitive team training	Chest strap	ECG
VO2max or Beep Test	Chest strap	ECG
General conditioning	Armband	PPG
Gym classes or school groups	Armband	PPG
Youth or new athletes	Armband	PPG

Summary: Accuracy or Comfort — You Choose

• Chest straps (ECG) provide the highest accuracy and are ideal for serious training, testing, and sports performance.

• Armbands (PPG) offer comfort and convenience, making them great for gyms, schools, and general fitness.

No matter which you choose, make sure the sensor is Bluetooth-compatible and works with your coaching tools. The Pulses app is built for real-time team heart rate monitoring — supporting up to 20 athletes at once, with clear visuals and post-session stats that help you train smarter.

Ready to upgrade your training sessions with real-time heart rate monitoring?

Start your free 30-day trial of Pulses today and connect the sensors that work best for your team.