Anyone have a Polar Heart Rate Monitor?

Hippie_Soul

I have an FT4. I loved it. For a month or so, it worked perfectly. Now, it drives me nuts because it has a hard time picking up my heart rate, there is a serious lag, it does weird things like jumping to an extremely high/low number, etc. I'm going to try changing the battery, and hope for the best.

I have this problem if I don't wet the band with some water first. Just the grey, thicker part! Hope that helps!

And I love my FT4! Makes me push harder to get that calorie burn!

kristy6ward

I have the FT60. I love it.. It has a built in training program as well as a fitness test so I can get a more accurate calculation of calorie burn.

For weightlifting I would look into the FT80 if I were you. It has specific programing for that. I didn't even notice that model when I had ordered the FT60 otherwise I probably would have gone with that. Check out bodytronics.com for great prices.

thecrass

From everyone on MFP's advice i got a polar one i was going to get the FT4 but ended up getting the FT7 and its fantastic and gives you a far more accurate workup of your cals and fitness than the monitors on gym equipment & on MFP i read reviews of many others and many of them had the issue of loosing sync with the band and become inaccurate .

so to sum up stick with POLAR :-)

molly_grue

I like my FT7, it's very helpful.

sunshinesquared

bump for later

emily_fox

So, I have the FT4. Does this mean I cannot use it to calculate calories burned when I'm weight training?

emily_fox

I have the FT60. I love it.. It has a built in training program as well as a fitness test so I can get a more accurate calculation of calorie burn.

For weightlifting I would look into the FT80 if I were you. It has specific programing for that. I didn't even notice that model when I had ordered the FT60 otherwise I probably would have gone with that. Check out bodytronics.com for great prices.

So, I have the FT4. Does this mean I cannot use it to calculate calories burned when I'm weight training?

Keiko385

I have the FT 4 and I love it, still trying to figure out how to input data into their website though

heybales

I have the FT60. I love it.. It has a built in training program as well as a fitness test so I can get a more accurate calculation of calorie burn.

For weightlifting I would look into the FT80 if I were you. It has specific programing for that. I didn't even notice that model when I had ordered the FT60 otherwise I probably would have gone with that. Check out bodytronics.com for great prices.

So, I have the FT4. Does this mean I cannot use it to calculate calories burned when I'm weight training?

No. In fact the majority of HRM's don't actually handle any activity outside of steady-state aerobic zone HR for anything close to accurate calorie burn estimates.

So that means steady-state aerobic in range of around 90-160 depending on your range.
Too low is not aerobic, so inflated values. So you can't just wear it all day.
Too high doing weights or intervals is also inflated as that is anaerobic. And while it is a high HR, it wasn't obtained aerobically.
At least with intervals the recovery time will be decent.

Garmins and Suunto that use Firstbeat algorithms and that Polar model are it for weight lifting or intervals.

Here is site with study from Polar indicating that.
http://www.braydenwm.com/calburn.htm

I'll mention the Garmin gave calorie burn estimate about 1/3 to 1/4 what Polar said for weight lifting efforts.

jdavis193

I have the FT60. I love it.. It has a built in training program as well as a fitness test so I can get a more accurate calculation of calorie burn.

For weightlifting I would look into the FT80 if I were you. It has specific programing for that. I didn't even notice that model when I had ordered the FT60 otherwise I probably would have gone with that. Check out bodytronics.com for great prices.

So, I have the FT4. Does this mean I cannot use it to calculate calories burned when I'm weight training?

No. In fact the majority of HRM's don't actually handle any activity outside of steady-state aerobic zone HR for anything close to accurate calorie burn estimates.

So that means steady-state aerobic in range of around 90-160 depending on your range.
Too low is not aerobic, so inflated values. So you can't just wear it all day.
Too high doing weights or intervals is also inflated as that is anaerobic. And while it is a high HR, it wasn't obtained aerobically.
At least with intervals the recovery time will be decent.

Garmins and Suunto that use Firstbeat algorithms and that Polar model are it for weight lifting or intervals.

Here is site with study from Polar indicating that.
http://www.braydenwm.com/calburn.htm

I'll mention the Garmin gave calorie burn estimate about 1/3 to 1/4 what Polar said for weight lifting efforts.

So the FT 60 does calculate weight training?

heybales

For weightlifting I would look into the FT80 if I were you. It has specific programing for that. I didn't even notice that model when I had ordered the FT60 otherwise I probably would have gone with that. Check out bodytronics.com for great prices.

So the FT 60 does calculate weight training?

No. FT80, unless they have added ability to other models, they have such a variety of models and features on them.

Jenn264

I have the Polar FT7 and I love it! best investment ever haha.

msmith2020

I have the Polar FT4 LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE IT! Only had it a week and I wont workout without it!

Jesi0725

My husband and I both use the Polar FT4 and count those little gadgets as the single best investment we've made in ourselves in a LONG time. Love it!