Heart rate monitors are typically composed of two pieces, a strap that you wear next to your skin and a monitor that you wear on your wrist or affix to your bike. If you don't like the feel of the strap across your chest, several strapless heart rate monitors are available. However, the lack of a strap may make them unusable for you.
Ring Monitor
You wear a ring heart rate monitor on your index finger, but you may not find it to be as accurate a standard heart rate monitor. According to a February 2008 article in the "Los Angeles Times," the ring version was very slow to get a reading and wasn't accurate in its results.
Wrist Monitor
The wrist monitor you wear as a normal wrist watch. To get a reading, you stop and press two fingers on the display. After a short pause of four to five seconds, you'll get a heart rate reading which is quite accurate, according to the "Los Angeles Times" article. Some models of standard heart rate monitors also allow you to use the wrist portion of the device as a stand-alone monitor if you prefer not to wear the strap for every workout.
Considerations
While a strapless heart rate monitor works, it may interfere with your workout. Because you must stop activity, take your heart rate and then continue, it can be inconvenient for long-distance runners or those who need both hands when working out, such as when steering a bike. However, a strapless monitor does alleviate any potential chafing that may occur when wearing a strap and sweating heavily.
Potential
If you need an accurate measurement, a wrist monitor is a good bet. If you know that you can occasionally need to wear a strap to check your workout exertion, choose a model whose wrist monitor works as a stand-alone unit. If a strapless monitor isn't appropriate for your workout needs, use a body lubricant to ease any potential chafing.
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