So for Christmas 2012, I was fortunate enough to be given the Polar FT4 watch. At the time, I know it was bought on Amazon and was cheaper than any physical retailers or e-retailers. Obviously I'm not sure if what I'm going to say applies to ALL Polar HRM's but I know it applies to mine!
In the box, you get a chest strap, the monitor, the watch and a set of instructions. It was relatively easy to set up! Obviously you do the time and date, your weight and you set your minimum/maximum heart rate.
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| Of COURSE I got one in pink ;) |
The FT4 measures the duration of your workout, your heart rate/calorie burn during the workout and a total duration/calorie burn at the end. It also gives you the option to pause the workout. For me, it does everything I need! It also stores a number of previous workouts for you to check back on and gives you the option to change your weight as you lose!
I use it more to know about my heart rate whilst I'm working out than total calorie burn as that's how I measure how hard I'm working! I can also, obviously, tell if I'm overdoing it and my heart rate is sky-rocketing! For this purpose, I can't fault the watch at all. I feel like I've learned a lot more about my body through the watch!
What I love about the FT4, besides the fact it's pink ;), is that it's lightweight, durable and really comfortable; I don't feel the chest strap at all when I'm wearing it. I've been using it now for six months and I'm only just feeling as if the batteries need to be changed; I'm assuming they were only demo batteries anyway!
One improvement it could have is that the FT4 doesn't measure distance, which would be a benefit for obvious reasons. I'm fine with this as I use tracking apps on my phone anyway which I have with me anyway on runs for music, but of course it would be a good option to have!
Other than that, I really can't think of any complaints! It seems to be accurate, it's amazingly useful and it was really reasonable!
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| An example of a check in using the watch! |
It's really practical in that it's waterproof too, aka you can wash it when it stinks because you've been sweating so much haha! I wash the chest strap once a week in warm soapy water and just leave it out to dry! Super quick and super easy.
I really recommend the use of HRM's because it allows for personal development! As I mentioned above, I feel as if I'm much more aware of my body and what it's capabilities are and where I can push myself harder. It also means I can be proud post-workout when I can see the results!
What do you think? Do you use a HRM? Do you rate them or is it another piece of technology you could do without! Let me know!
Georgie :) x
thanks for posting! I've been meaning to get a HR monitor for my garmin but was also thinking of this one for the gym!
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