Polar FT7

sc1572

So, for Christmas, Santa brought me a Polar FT7 HRM!

I was super excited to use it today, but when I started working out, I clicked the wrong button and it didn't track anything...oops! I plan on using it for a group exercise class if I go tonight and if not, will try again tomorrow at the gym. However, I have a couple of questions...

1) Do you have to wear the chest strap, or can you just use the wristband? I have heard sides to both.
2) Does the chest strap/wristband (either or both) have to be worn tightly, or will the heart rate still be read the same if they're a little loose?
3) Do you wet your chest strap before using? It said to in the box, but I haven't met anyone who has yet.
4) Do you wash off your chest strap between each use?
5) I've heard plenty of stories that the HRM shows a lot less calories burned compared to machines. I plan on going by the HRM from now on since it's more accurate, but is it true that the machine and HRM can be that much off?! I've seen a machine say 600 calories burned for 60 minutes, and the HRM only shows about half.
6) Between uses, do you unsnap the censor from the chest strap, or is it okay to keep it on?
7) Are the censors and wristband waterproof? Ex: Rain, swimming, etc.

Thanks! Sorry for all of the questions!

tjones7

Hello. It is a nice gift to have. From my knowledge, they work together. you have to wear them together. make sure that you run the chest strap under water before putting it on per instructions

I have found that the heart rate on the stap and machines are usually accurate. now I may burn 1 or 2 more calories on my polar than the machine. Yes, I clean mine between uses because I sweat a lot.

oh, and I've never unstraped the sensor. I probably should huh? lol

NotGoddess

1) Do you have to wear the chest strap, or can you just use the wristband? I have heard sides to both.

Mine never had a wristband (unless you mean the watch?), just a chest strap.

2) Does the chest strap/wristband (either or both) have to be worn tightly, or will the heart rate still be read the same if they're a little loose?

I wear mine snug but you forget it's there after a while. The pads on the strap need to meet the skin.

3) Do you wet your chest strap before using? It said to in the box, but I haven't met anyone who has yet.

I do. It helps the strap make better contact with your skin.

4) Do you wash off your chest strap between each use?

Rinse, yes. Full wash, no. About every 2 months I dump it in a metal water bottle with a little dish detergent, shake for a while, then rinse and air-dry.

5) I've heard plenty of stories that the HRM shows a lot less calories burned compared to machines. I plan on going by the HRM from now on since it's more accurate, but is it true that the machine and HRM can be that much off?! I've seen a machine say 600 calories burned for 60 minutes, and the HRM only shows about half.

I've found mine to be pretty accurate. Be aware that like anything, it shows total burn. So to get better accuracy for what you burned during your workout you need to subtract what you would have burnt just sitting around.

6) Between uses, do you unsnap the censor from the chest strap, or is it okay to keep it on?

You can keep it on but you'll drain the battery faster.

7) Are the censors and wristband waterproof? Ex: Rain, swimming, etc.

I wore mine to a waterpark. Worked well except on the slides where the heart rate 00'd out. It's water-resistant to a certain depth (it's on their website somewhere). I know others who wear it in the shower but I do not.

Almost forgot- Fantastic gift. You will really love it.

carrie_eggo

So, for Christmas, Santa brought me a Polar FT7 HRM!

I was super excited to use it today, but when I started working out, I clicked the wrong button and it didn't track anything...oops! I plan on using it for a group exercise class if I go tonight and if not, will try again tomorrow at the gym. However, I have a couple of questions...

1) Do you have to wear the chest strap, or can you just use the wristband? I have heard sides to both.
2) Does the chest strap/wristband (either or both) have to be worn tightly, or will the heart rate still be read the same if they're a little loose?
3) Do you wet your chest strap before using? It said to in the box, but I haven't met anyone who has yet.
4) Do you wash off your chest strap between each use?
5) I've heard plenty of stories that the HRM shows a lot less calories burned compared to machines. I plan on going by the HRM from now on since it's more accurate, but is it true that the machine and HRM can be that much off?! I've seen a machine say 600 calories burned for 60 minutes, and the HRM only shows about half.
6) Between uses, do you unsnap the censor from the chest strap, or is it okay to keep it on?

Thanks!

I got one too!
1) I'm pretty sure you have to wear the chest strap. That's what detects your heart rate.
2) It should be tight enough so that it doesn't move very much if at all.
3) I wet mine today before I used it.
4) I rinsed it.
5) I think the HRM is more accurate than the machine. BUT not for strength training, I found out.
6) I have no idea.

Sorry I'm going to hijack your thread....I also have a question for those who reply----I had trouble getting the censor to stay snapped on one side. Should I call Polar about this? Anyone else have this problem?

wolf23

I have the FT7 and love it.

1) Yes you have to wear the chest strap.
2) Yes, it should be worn tightly...if it is too loose it will not read.
3) Yes, I always wet mine (the two sensor pads) with warm water before wearing.
4) I rinse the chest strap after each use with mild hand soap and towel dry it. The directions suggest you wash it in the machine once a week with mild detergent without bleaching agents, I don't do that every week though...maybe once a month.
5) The HRM is more accurate than the machines and most likely will show less calorie burn (mine does).
6) I unsnap the sensor after each use and rinse it under water and dry it.

I have owned mine for two years and have recently replaced the batteries in the sensor and the watch and replaced the chest strap. It works perfectly. Hope you enjoy yours!

NotGoddess

Sorry I'm going to hijack your thread....I also have a question for those who reply----I had trouble getting the censor to stay snapped on one side. Should I call Polar about this? Anyone else have this problem?

Check both the transmitter and the strap. Do the fittings look uniform? If so it's probably just a matter of getting the trick of connecting it. If something looks bent you might need to call them for a new strap or transmitter (depending on what's bent).