My new HRM - Polar FT80

stevenleagle

8 months ago, I was a real couch potato. Over 40 and unfit. 

7 months ago I started logging food through mfp and making small incremental changes to my diet.  6 months ago I started exercise (walking) and have now progressed to power walking/jogging regularly and strength training once to twice per week as well as playing social sport once a week (touch football). I've lost 16kg so far and improved body fat percentage too (from obese to overweight).  I do have more weight to lose.

Having always been a gadget geek and now becoming a fitness geek, the next investment was to buy my first HRM (Heart Rate Monitor).

I wanted something that suited my regular walks/jogs but could also be useful in strength training and monitoring sport too.

I recognized that a lot of the mfp community use Polar HRMs but most models aren't really designed with strength in mind.

The Polar FT80 apparently assists with monitoring strength workouts as well as general cross training.  Apparently it's designed with achieving optimal rest between sets by monitoring heart rate.

I did a bit of research and to be honest quite a few of the reviews out there (particularly on Amazon) were less than flattering - the screen in particular is very dim.  But it seemed to do what I wanted and Polar is a reputable brand and found one on eBay at a good price.

Like a kid with a new toy I couldn't wait to use it.  

In the box was a watch, HR chest strap and a device that helps you sync data to your computer.

First impression? It looks great - till you turn it on lol.  The screen is disappointing (something I expected) though its not as bad as some of the reviews make out.  If Polar (or anyone else for that matter) could ever do screens like Apple does for their iPhones I reckon these HRMs would sell like hotcakes.

Anyway it didn't take me long to set up my personal stats (age, sex, height, weight) and to calibrate it by doing a resting fitness test (pleasingly it found my fitness level to be moderate for my age)

 I've used it quite a deal in the five days I've owned it.

I'm pretty tech savvy so although it's menus are a little complicated, I quickly worked it out.  I set up a fitness program which basically asked me to do most of my exercise in a moderate HR zone (zone 2) but which also sets goals in zone 1 (easier exercise) and zone 3 (most intense).

The chest strap supplied is comfortable (nice) and it does a fantastic job picking my HR.

First workout I did was a pretty intense walk/run session and the device told me.  It definitely spurred me on to get my HR into zone 2 and 3!

At the end of this power walk/jog (43 mins) it stated that I spent 459 cals with an average of 133BPM (heart beats per minute) and max of 166BPM.  My Apple GPS app pedometer only reported 320 cals (very close to MFPs estimate).  

The next day I did an easier and longer walk where my Apple app (this time without GPS) and HRM both recorded 400 cals.  Yet MFPs estimate this time was only 291.

I then wore it to touch football and found it was closer to the Mfp estimate than for simple walking.  Interestingly my HR was higher on average than I expected it to be (I guess we tolerate exercise more when we are having fun!)

Today I tried the strength training program.  I don't think I have properly set this up yet but so far I have found out a few things:

1. My HR is surprisingly higher than I would have guessed when strength training.

2. The interval timer was not all that useful.  It basically did not give me enough time to rest between sets of heavy bench pressing whilst it gave me too much rest in between of sets for exercises like curls.  Of course I have not linked up my Polar to the computer yet and may have not properly configured it for strength training - so the jury's out as to how useful this is.  

3. But at least I was able to have a figure for total calories spent during strength training (something I did not previously have).

All in all  I am happy with this purchase so far.  It definitely pushes me (to reach my various targets) and got me outside to exercise more.  The stats and motivating comments it gives after each exercise session is great too.  Apparently I will be rewarded at the end of each week with a trophy if I reach all my goals too.  I have not seen this yet since I've only had it for less than a week

But be sure: I want to see that trophy!

To anybody out there who is considering a HRM, I can recommend it.  There may be more suitable models out there for each of you though so do your research.  If you already own one, feel free to comment as to how useful you have found it.

Disclaimer: I'm a lawyer not a fitness trainer or even necessarily fit.   Rely on this review or any comments at your own risk, see your doctor before exercising yada yada  (:

asmithson19

Thanks for your post! I was looking online to buy the exact one today!
Do you mind me asking the price?

stevenleagle

.Asmithson19 I paid $250 (Aus). This didn't include a foot pod or GPS that I didn't really need (my iPhone app does that)

Josedavid

Thanks for the review Steve!

Nice gadget to have! Anyway, about the screen I think that Timex IronMan Global Trainer did a very good job by offering you a wide range of screen partitions you can use. I actually use the screen divided in 4 when i am running showing calories burned/total time/average min/km/Total distance and when i am training with my TRX i use the screen divided in 2: calories burned and heart rate

Keep going! you are doing great (when you are focused!!)

Brgrds / Jose D.

stevenleagle

Thanks Jose. I think the problem with the Polar FT80 is not the data (great), it's the quality of the screen (very dim and reflective).

XanderBilan

Did you ever get the strength training option calibrated? I'm having the same issue, where doing something like abs, it tells me to start next set while i'm still doing the first set. With curls i'm also not getting enough rest between sets. Even if our heart rate slows back to a ready range, our muscles have not refilled with energy to produce a full set.