fitness, reviews, shopping

Polar FT7 Heart Rate Monitor

Many ask about the watch in my photos, it’s the Polar FT7 heart rate monitor

polar ft7 heart rate monitor and chest strap

I knew I wanted a chest strap heart rate monitor if I was going to spinning 3 or 4 days a week so that I could understand my exertion during class. I quickly realized there is a ig difference between those classes where I thought I was working in my target heart zone and then actually seeing when I was and knowing what it feels like.

polarcollage

Also, that great post-workout feeling only lasts so long and usually I’m in a rush to get everything done that I cannot hold on to or remember that feeling so I needed proof. Being able to look at my time spent exercising and the calories burned mattered in terms of motivation.

I looked through fitness blogs and then Amazon reviews and settled on the Polar FT7 heart rate monitor since it was priced within my budget.

Purchased in 2012, I’ve been really pleased with it. I have the men’s because the women’s black and gold wasn’t available and I didn’t want a red watch and it comes with a chest strap that must be worn in order to utilize anything beyond the date and time on the watch. It only took a few minutes to input the information on the watch and then I was using it for my first workout: weight training and it was interesting to see where my heart rate is during this activity (my purpose: lift weights faster, not longer).

The read-out display is large so in the darkened cycling room, I just need to tilt my wrist toward the peep of light to view the display or I can tap the button for the back light. Some gym locations have Keiser bikes with monitor that will sync with Polar products so I can also see my heart rate on the display.

My favorite feature is seeing the weekly summary of workouts: number completed and calories burned. This is in addition to each workout logged in the training files. I use this information to add to my MyFitnessPal account, which I use for tracking food and activity.

After each use, I separate the transmitter from the chest band to dry off the sweat. I’m aware the battery life is about a year, but unlike some models, the user can change the batteries. Reviews of other models mentioned having to send the units to Polar for battery change, I didn’t want to be without mine for any length of time.

I’m used to having the band of my sports bra around my chest so I’m not phased by the chest strap. I mostly cycle, lift and do plyometric drills (jumping around) and short runs while wearing it. The only time I can remember it being uncomfortable was forgetting I was wearing it and rolling over onto my stomach. I do wash the chest strap (without the transmitter) when I get in the shower, because a washer is not recommended.

I realize heart rate monitors are not exactly cheap, but I recently learned some ladies pay $90 for yoga pants because they make their bums look fantastic. I say keep doing lunges and squats and spend $70 on a heart rate monitor.


Note: I was not compensated for this post. I wrote it because I like the product. This post contains an affiliate link. While it does not cost you to shop through any affiliate links posted on this site, I could earn a small percentage of sales.

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4 Comment

  1. Andi (@udandi)
    September 17, 2012 at 2:03 pm

    {New Post}: Polar FT7 Heart Rate Monitor http://t.co/1yRGZV2A

  2. Andi (@udandi)
    September 17, 2012 at 7:49 pm

    @GlennaVonHenna hope this helps RT @udandi: Polar FT7 Heart Rate Monitor http://t.co/1yRGZV2A

  3. @PolarGlobal
    September 18, 2012 at 3:40 am

    “Some pay $90 for yoga pants coz they make their bums look fantastic. Keep doing lunges & spend $70 on a HRM” #workout http://t.co/n4FJtmAO

  4. Andi (@udandi)
    December 10, 2012 at 7:50 pm

    @kristin1028 I get this frequently and this post answers all your questions! http://t.co/7z2CrEDP cc: @PolarGlobal @ChrisPolarUSA

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