Source
r/Fitness•
formfeed

Superficial question: chest-strap heart-rate monitor while shirtless

I completely realize that it's very superficial to be concerned with the appearance of a chest-strap on a bare chest, but... superficial concerns are a big part of the reason for working out in the first place, amiright?

It's hot and humid enough now that I've been going shirtless on my runs this week. I use chest-strap heart-rate monitors while I work out, and for some reason have been very self-conscious about the strap while I'm running shirtless. I'm just wondering if it looks goofy.

So, guys, what do you do? Gals, if you saw a fit and otherwise ok-looking guy running shirtless but with a chest-strap on, would you think he looked nerdy and maybe chuckle and shake your head? Or would you not pay attention to it?

Just wondering what the consensus is here. I'd consider getting a wrist-watch-only-style monitor (if they even exist?) if the nerdy appearance is real and not just in my head, or possibly forgoing it completely.

Posted Jun 19, 2010, 9:53 PM UTC · edited

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[deleted]•

It's really, really sexy if you're fit.

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formfeedOP•

I am fit, but... not as fit as many of the photos in your comment history. Maybe one day (probably not, if I keep running instead of lifting).

Also: sorry for not being more inclusive if my original question. Your opinion of whether it is unattractive for a guy to wear the monitor is appreciated. :)

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[deleted]•

lol i don't think it has to do with the size of your pecs...

it's just...something about a strap on the upper body that's hot, in a way that....you know...marathon shorts aren't.

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formfeedOP•

Follow-up question time. Since I've gotten more in shape, and my legs look better and more defined and just my whole body has sort of gotten more defined (I hesitate to use the term "sculpted", but I'm a pretty lean dude)... anyway, I've gotten more comfortable running in "running shorts." Not quite as short an inseam as marathon shorts, but definitely ending above the knee.

Good idea or bad idea? Only with the chest-strap? (Specifically interested as whether it's a good idea for a hetero dude looking to attract hetero women).

I'm thinking of joining some running groups in the area to meet people, but I'm weirdly anxious about little things like this. Mostly because I don't really have people to bounce ideas off beforehand at the moment, maybe.

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[deleted]•

I personally think really short shorts just look...funny no matter who's wearing them.

case in point http://www.aolcdn.com/aolpolltool/chris-cooley-short-shorts

Something like this probably looks best http://www.worldofstock.com/slides/PMO4612.jpg

But then again...you're working out to work out, not look good. People pick up on the ones who are just there to pose and pick up people (Though I don't get the impression you are)

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boredinthedesert•

I would try not to concern yourself about it too much. It doesn't seem out of place at all, IMO. When I see someone running with a heart-rate monitor on, my knee-jerk reaction is to think that they are more into their fitness than most people are. That reminds me, I've been meaning to get one of these...

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formfeedOP•

Cool. That makes me feel better about it.

Also: get one! :)

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MIL215•

To be honest, I don't use it... but that's just because I am not the most serious runner (although I am looking into starting to prepare for a marathon).

I have to say, that I think those who wear them actually look like they are more serious about their workouts, and also more impressive... So as for superficial reasons? I think it probably looks a lot better if you have the body type to show off without the shirt.

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formfeedOP•

Huh. I never thought that it'd make me look more serious. That might be a good way to think about it... it's all in my head, anyway. I just don't want people to look at me and then think "ugh, they're thinking I'm a nerd." I'd much rather get an imaginary ego-boost from it than an imaginary ego-downer :)

As an aside, I've found it really useful. I ran for years and never used one, but when I got back into shape this year it was really helpful to pace myself through my initial work-outs. And it's also helped me break out of plateaus, as I'll be aware that my heart rate is lower than it should be at the end of a run. I've found that a quantitative measure of my performance is a much more accurate snapshot of my potential during a workout than just how I feel.

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jllunsfoFencing•

I'm more likely to think "hmm that guy is more serious than your average runner."

It's a good thing, IMO.

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TangerinePlum•

When you said chest strap-on I thought meant...chest strap-on dildo and I laughed.

But as a lady, no. If i saw you working, as I almost always think when I see people working out, I do a fist pump in my head and sing "sisters are doing it." Or brothers depending. I'm usually just pleased to see somebody doin' it to it.

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huntingbears•

Hmm, we're going to need photographs of this fit chest to properly assess the situation.

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[deleted]•

Similar but not really: I'm legally blind. I have a pair of these to see stuff that's far away that I need to see. I don't need them often, but I did a lot of times when I was in college, to see notes on the board or what have you, and I wear them if I'm out with the kid and need to supervise her but don't want her to have to say within 10ft of me. I was embarrassed as hell at first, figured they made me look like a dumbass. Finally decided, no, they make me look like someone who can't see well, which is what I am and there's no shame in that, so fuck it. If it helps, I'm wearing them. Maybe some people still point and laugh, but so what. That's their problem, not mine.

The heart monitor doesn't make you look like a dork. It makes you look like someone who is concerned about his physical well-being and fitness level. That's not at all a bad thing. Nothing there to be ashamed of or feel self-conscious about. Idiots will think what they want anyway, because they're idiots, so fuck 'em. The rest won't care.

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Honeymaid•

I think anybody running with no shirt looks nerdy, regardless of actual physical appearance.

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