Polar FT4 vs Water

SuperAmie
SuperAmie Posts: 307 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Help! Ok, so I just received my new Polar FT4 and Im soooooooooooooooooo excited!! The manual said I can swim with it. Up to 30ft? I have a 5ft deep pool so thats cool lol. But because Im a cheapo:blushing: and spent the money on the darn thing.. Im afraid to swim with it.. but I am sooo curious.

Any ever swim with it on?? Think I'd be ok?

Thanks!:smile:

Replies

  • ArmyVet92
    ArmyVet92 Posts: 35 Member
    I have a Polar FT7 and swim laps with it on all the time at the local community pool. I have never had any issues with mine in the water. =) I think your will be fine.
  • SuperAmie
    SuperAmie Posts: 307 Member
    I have a Polar FT7 and swim laps with it on all the time at the local community pool. I have never had any issues with mine in the water. =) I think your will be fine.

    Thank you so much!!
  • LottieLou13
    LottieLou13 Posts: 574 Member
    Good question! I ordered one yesterday and bought a bathing suit today so am hoping the answer is yes :smile:
  • fiabka
    fiabka Posts: 294 Member
    Yep swam in mine no probs at all - best money I ever spent - has to be said :smile:
  • wiglet23
    wiglet23 Posts: 887 Member
    I swam with my FT4 just once but it has been working just fine ever since.
  • SuperAmie
    SuperAmie Posts: 307 Member
    Thank you!! Oh im sooo excited haha... (this time last year I would have never been excited about excercise..CRAZY)
    Another question... Do you ladies wear it on your chest (under?) or do you find it works better somewhere else?
  • Emancipated_Tai
    Emancipated_Tai Posts: 751 Member
    Good question! I have the FT7 and it also states it can be used for swimming. However, after reading some reviews online there is a split about whether it works properly under water. Some people say they cannot get a reading, and others say it works fine. I'm curious to know what people have to say about this!
  • kyle4jem
    kyle4jem Posts: 1,400 Member
    The watch is indeed waterproof but the WearLink won't transmit accurately underwater*, so don't expect any reading to be accurate.

    You can get watches such as Pool Mate by Swimovate which count laps and measure pace so give a guestimate of calories burned based on your stats, but it depends how much of a swimmer you are!






    *basic science tip: radio waves don't travel well through water
  • Perfectdiamonds1
    Perfectdiamonds1 Posts: 347 Member
    I purchased my Polar FT4 a couple of weeks ago, and will be starting water aerobics soon and was wondering the same thing. Spent $96 on it and just cant afford for anything to go wrong with it right now.

    I wear mine Polar FT4 cheststrap under.
  • geminigrl622
    geminigrl622 Posts: 144
    Do you swim with the strap as well?
  • fiabka
    fiabka Posts: 294 Member
    I wear the strap just under the bra strap - U soon get used to it - hope this helps :smile:

    same place when in swim gear
  • SuperAmie
    SuperAmie Posts: 307 Member
    Wow you guys are so handy lol... Thanks! K. Ill give it a shot..
  • SuperAmie
    SuperAmie Posts: 307 Member
    The watch is indeed waterproof but the WearLink won't transmit accurately underwater*, so don't expect any reading to be accurate.

    You can get watches such as Pool Mate by Swimovate which count laps and measure pace so give a guestimate of calories burned based on your stats, but it depends how much of a swimmer you are!






    *basic science tip: radio waves don't travel well through water

    Did even think of that.. thanks for the tip!! I had a funny feeling it wouldnt be as accurate as running.. I know in general its hard to get an accurate calorie burn.. I just need something better then a guess lol :glasses:
  • jreed1920
    jreed1920 Posts: 123
    The Polar FT4 survives swimming just fine, I have yet to get a truly accurate reading though because as a previous poster mentioned it does not transmit consistently when under water. I will get the "Check monitor" message repeatedly during a swimming session so now I don't even bother. Kind of disappointing. There are some things you can do to have better results:

    - make sure the chest band is TIGHT simply snug will not do

    - works better without a shelf bra type suit, the suit bra band tends to shift the chest strap ever so slightly. My tank suits work much better.

    - Don't push the buttons on the watch while you/it are in the water

    Hope this helps.
  • SuperAmie
    SuperAmie Posts: 307 Member
    The Polar FT4 survives swimming just fine, I have yet to get a truly accurate reading though because as a previous poster mentioned it does not transmit consistently when under water. I will get the "Check monitor" message repeatedly during a swimming session so now I don't even bother. Kind of disappointing. There are some things you can do to have better results:

    - make sure the chest band is TIGHT simply snug will not do

    - works better without a shelf bra type suit, the suit bra band tends to shift the chest strap ever so slightly. My tank suits work much better.

    - Don't push the buttons on the watch while you/it are in the water

    Hope this helps.

    That helps alot! Thank you :)
  • kori333
    kori333 Posts: 174 Member
    I just got on the boards to ask the same question. :smile: I'm headed to a water park this afternoon with the kids and wanted to know the calorie burn. Sounds like wearing it there should be safe but perhaps not totally accurate. As long as it's not going to ruin it I guess it's worth a try!
  • Dlouther
    Dlouther Posts: 1
    So what's the purpose of wearing the watch without the strap? (serious question) I'm in water aerobics and I wanted to know how many calories I burn.

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