FitSugar

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.

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.

Take the quiz

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!

Take the quiz

Win a Polar FA20 Pedometer/Activity Computer!

FitSugar — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 11:24:07 -0700

Since I've been loving Polar's fitness gadgets so much, I'm pleased to announce that for the next three weeks, we're giving away some of the company's snazziest heart rate monitors and other gear. Today, you can enter to win a women's FA20 Activity Computer ($120) in white, plus a FlowLink ($55) to connect the gadget to your PC.

This wrist accessory monitors your daily activity and tracks how active you are, how many steps you take, and how many calories you burn. 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 10. 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. And stay tuned over the next two weeks for even better Polar products!

Take the quiz

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.

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.

View 4 Photos ›

Gear Review: Polar FT40

FitSugar — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 10:00:00 -0800

The folks over at Polar recently sent me a few watches to test out. First up: the FT40 ($160, including chest strap). Being a woman, I was immediately drawn to its great color and design; it's much cooler than my other heart rate monitors of the past. I have even gotten compliments on it outside of the gym (big brownie points there).

The heart rate monitor does all the normal stuff that an average heart rate monitor does, such as showing your heart rate, calories burned, time, stopwatch, etc., but there are a few goodies that this watch also provides. The EnergyPointer calculates the point where training is turning fat-burning into fitness improvement. It also has a fitness test feature, which is able to measures your aerobic fitness at rest in just five minutes. Both features are very useful for someone who is looking to improve their own fitness without hiring an actual personal trainer.

With this watch, you can also upload all your workout information using a Flowlink (sold separately), which 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. My only complaint is that the software for the Flowlink is not Mac compatible as of yet. But all in all, I love this watch. It's easy to use and provides great information, making me focus on my workouts so I can fine-tune my training.

Polar and Adidas: United, Awesome and Expensive

FitSugar — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 02:30:00 -0800

Adidas is known for their fitness gear, apparel and accessories. Polar makes great heart rate monitors. Integrate the two together and you have a unique fitness training system called Project Fusion.

The clothes (called it adiStar Fusion Apparel) feature integrated soft textile heart rate monitor sensors built right into the fabric so there are no hard parts or irritating seams. The sensors communicate with the Polar watch, so you can monitor your heart rate. If you get the adiStar Fusion shoe, it has a sensor that fits in the midsole so you can track your distance and speed, which is also displayed on the watch. Check out the video to see what I mean.

It's a pretty penny to purchase this entire system. To find out how much it'll set you back read more

You'll need to buy:

So for a grand total of about $680, you can be the first on your block to own this Adidas and Polar integrated training system. It's great if you're obsessed with tracking your runs and have some extra money lying around.

Get in Gear: Polar Bike Computer

FitSugar — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 14:00:00 -0700

A computer for your bike? I know you may be thinking, "I ride my bike to get away from my computer!" Don't worry because a bike computer is just the name of a handy little device you can attach to your bike that gives you all kinds of cool info.

How do they work? A magnet is attached to your bike's front wheel (on a spoke), and a magnet pickup is attached to the fork (the bar that holds your wheel). With each tire revolution, the pickup is triggered. Based on the calibration you set for your bike (stats about your bike like tire size), the computer calculates the distance you've traveled, your speed, and other measures, depending on the sophistication of the computer.

I found one that's not too expensive called the Polar CS 100b Wireless Bike Computer ($85).

It's wireless, so you don't have to deal with securing wires around the fork of your bike. The mount attaches to your bike stem or your handlebars, and the computer attaches to the mount. It's simple to use and the large display is easy to read. Instantly, you can look down and find out how fast you are going, how long you've been riding, and how many miles you've biked.

This bike computer is water-resistant, so it can take rain and a few splashes if you are riding in puddles. It uses a CR2032 battery, which you can replace yourself. There's even a low battery indicator that'll tell you when you should replace it.

I'm a huge fan of keeping track of your workouts. It motivates you to workout and allows you to chart your progress. When I run, I use the Nike + Sports Kit for my iPod Nano, and when I bike, I use a basic bike computer like this one made by Polar.