FitSugar

Gear Review: Polar FT60 With GPS

FitSugar — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:30:00 -0800

The folks over at Polar recently sent me a few heart rate monitors to test out. I liked the FT40, but I think I am in love with the FT60 ($239 including chest sensor with changeable battery). Mine is a purple-pink color, reminiscent of raspberry sorbet, so even though it is large it is still somehow feminine and I wear a bunch, even when I am not at the gym. Points for being functional and stylish.

This heart rate monitor not only tracks your heart rate (either in percentage or beats per minute) and totals your calories burned, it keeps track of all your workouts. That's important because you can use the watch to set a fitness goal - lose weight, improve fitness, or maximize fitness. I chose the latter and my watch asks me to work out five hours and 35 minutes a week, and more weeks than not, I rise to the occasion. Yes - my heart rate monitor inspires me to work out.

There are a few more cool features, so read more.

Before you begin working with the FT60, the heart rate monitor gives you a fitness test that takes 5 minutes, and then tracks your progress as you take the test monthly. This HRM also has an EnergyPointer, which calculates the point where training turns from fat burning to fitness improvement, and in weekly summary you read on the watch, it tells you how well you have done in each target heart rate zone. Between the tracking and motivational elements, you do feel like you have a trainer on your wrist.

This watch is also compatible with the Polar G1 GPS ($140) unit. The GPS is a bit bulky and can chafe if you're not careful, but it is super cool to read your speed and distance on a heart rate monitor. This is a great feature for tempo runs and intervals. Plus you can run a new route each outing and know how far you have gone without having to map it on the computer. This is a great time saver.

This HRM also is also compatible with the Polar Flowlink ($55), which allows you to upload all your workout information and transfers data between the watch and PolarPersonalTrainer.com - a free site that allows you to track your workouts and progress, and gives you access to helpful training tips and tools. Unfortunately, this feature is not Mac compatible and being a Mac gal, I have yet to test it out.

Having used Polar heart rate monitors in the past, I feel they have definitely improved the user interface and the FT60 is easy to use. Shop for one here.

Check out the details and accessories by clicking on the photos below.

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Win a Polar Heart Rate Monitor With GPS!

FitSugar — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 09:06:39 -0700

If you heart this month's Polar heart rate monitor giveaways, then you won't want to miss this week's, because we've saved the best for last!

Starting today, you can enter to win a Polar FT60 in raspberry (pictured), with a G1 GPS sensor and a FlowLink to connect the gadget to your PC. Total prize worth more than $500!

This wristwatch monitor tracks your heart rate and calories burned, while the GPS device records your speed and distance. You can also use it to set fitness goals and keep tabs on all your workouts. Check out my review for more details, then enter the giveaway by logging in and taking the quiz by 1 p.m. PDT on Tuesday, March 24. Your eligibility is not based on answering the questions correctly, just on completing the quiz once you are logged in. Read up on the official rules here.

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Polar FT60

FitSugar — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 14:43:36 -0800

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Gear Review: Polar RS300X Heart Rate Monitor With Foot Pod

FitSugar — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 09:00:29 -0700

I love training with a heart rate monitor, and Polar is my favorite brand. These days I have been working out with the RS300X ($170). Designed with running in mind, this HRM is great for other sports as well.

For me, the feature that distinguishes this heart rate monitor from others I have used in the past is the big red lap button at the bottom of the watch face. Press it, and the watch saves your stats for that lap, but keeps on recording the rest of your workout. When you're done with your workout, the RS300X breaks down your workout data by lap as well as giving your info on your overall workout. It is great for working out at the track when running repeat distances or when training with negative splits. When combined with the S1 Foot Pod ($130), the heart rate monitor tracks your speed and distance as well - perfect for all the type A runners out there.

For more of my opinion, keep reading.

Polar Heart Monitor Help on Twitter

FitSugar — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 13:00:00 -0700

Twitter is not just a frivolous social networking site, it is a place where you can have important questions answered. Recently, I twittered Chris@PolarUSA this question:
"How can I get my FT60 HRM to work in the pool? Shows HR before getting in water, but not while I swim. Please help."

He replied promptly and here is what he had to say:

Next time I swam laps, I tightened my chest strap and once again my HRM monitor worked in the pool. For those of you unfamiliar with Buh Bump it is a heart rate monitor electrode cream, which helps the electrodes in the chest strap read your heart rate.

Speaking of Polar heart rate monitors, we gave a few away a while back, and I would like to announce the lucky winners. They are:

I hope these winners know they can contact Chris with any questions about their new Polar fitness gear.

Gear Review: Polar FA20 Activity Computer

FitSugar — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 11:00:00 -0800

My friends at Polar sent me a couple of heart rate monitors to test, and the FT40 and FT60 models did not disappoint. In fact, I've become pretty attached to the FT60. It was kind to include another fitness gadget, the FA20 activity computer ($120) that doesn't monitor your heart rate, but does some other cool stuff that motivates me to move.

The idea behind this gadget is to show how everyday activities, like walking your dog or choosing the stairs, can improve your overall health. The FA20 records your daily activity and gives you feedback about what kind of day you're having, letting you know if you've been lazy, active, or somewhere in between. It reminds me of a super-fancy pedometer, since it measures your calories burned, too. While the computer will do its job and monitor your total active time during the day without pushing extra buttons, you can set up targets during training (like how many calories you want to burn) and during training you can see the distance you've covered, steps taken, and calories burned.

I loved how the device kept track of my every move and it motivated me to fit in more steps when possible, like walking up six flights of stairs instead of taking the elevator. My only source of frustration with the FA20 is that it only records steps. This makes it ideal for walking or running, but I didn't appreciate being told I was having a lazy day when I took a strenuous strength training class and the gadget told me I hadn't burned any calories.

I would recommend this product to anyone looking for everyday motivation to improve their health and fitness. When you've made the choice to walk instead of drive, it's encouraging to look at the little screen on your wrist and see that you're benefiting your health. You can buy the FA20 here.

Look Who's Getting Fit For 2009!

FitSugar — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 03:00:00 -0700

With the new year came many fitness and health resolutions. That's why we decided to give away an amazing package of prizes - double gym membership to Bally's, a $1,000 Nike gift card, and a personalized nutrition plan created by Alexa Fishback, author of the Daily Fix - to one lucky winner. Help me in congratulating the winning TeamSugar member, eswan512. She is well on her way to getting fit for 2009 with her slew of prizes. Have a blast at the gym!

Thanks to everyone who participated in the contest! Don't fret if you didn't win, because you can still get fit for 2009 and win a heart rate monitor to help motivate your fitness life. Enter to win a Polar FT40 by taking this short quiz after logging into TeamSugar. Stay tuned! Next week, we will be giving away a Polar FT60 heart rate monitor with GPS.

FitSugar Roundup

FitSugar — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 04:30:00 -0700

We finished out the last official week of Winter with a bang here at FitSugar. First off we are giving away another great heart rate monitor from Polar - the FT60 with G1 GPS. This is the heart rate monitor that I wear and I heart it! Enter the contest to win this super cool fitness gadget by taking this short quiz after logging in to TeamSugar.

To see what else you might have missed this week, just start the slideshow.

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Win a Polar FT40 Heart Rate Monitor

FitSugar — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:13:05 -0700

Since I'm loving Polar's heart rate monitors, I'm pleased to announce that for the next couple of weeks, we're giving away two of the company's snazziest heart rate monitors with accessories. Today, you can enter to win a women's FT40 Heart Rate Monitor ($180) in green as shown here, plus a FlowLink ($55) to connect the gadget to your PC.

Check out my review for more details, then enter the giveaway by logging in and taking the quiz by 1 p.m. PDT on Tuesday, March 17. Your eligibility is not based on getting the answers correct, just on completing the quiz once you are logged in. Read up on the official rules here. Stay tuned for next week's giveaway of the FT60 HRM!

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