Polar Heart Rate Monitor? Which to purchase??

brookea87
brookea87 Posts: 47 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
anyone have the polar heart rate monitor? What is the difference between the different priced ones? I'm asking for one for xmas but don't a lot of $$ spent on it.

Replies

  • Heathingtons1
    Heathingtons1 Posts: 11 Member
    Not sure on the pricing but the hubby got me one for my bday 2 weeks ago. Its the Polar FT4 and it is incredible. User friendly, easy to understand too. It has changed the way I work out. I can easily reach my target hr, see calories burned which is important since Im trying to lose weight. Worth every penny he spent. Hope this helps. If you have question about it lemme know!
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member
    Not sure on the pricing but the hubby got me one for my bday 2 weeks ago. Its the Polar FT4 and it is incredible. User friendly, easy to understand too. It has changed the way I work out. I can easily reach my target hr, see calories burned which is important since Im trying to lose weight. Worth every penny he spent. Hope this helps. If you have question about it lemme know!

    What does your target heart rate have to do with losing weight?
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    I used to have the Polar FT1 - very cheap but wouldn't recommend it at all...
    Now use the FT7 and love it. Easy to use, comfortable and looks good enough to use as a regular watch.
  • crichmo4
    crichmo4 Posts: 1
    I have an FT7. It works well and depending on the age of the machines at the gym, I don't have to wear the watch it reads right on the machine. It's user friendly and comfortable too.
  • xsmilexforxmex
    xsmilexforxmex Posts: 1,216 Member
    Not sure on the pricing but the hubby got me one for my bday 2 weeks ago. Its the Polar FT4 and it is incredible. User friendly, easy to understand too. It has changed the way I work out. I can easily reach my target hr, see calories burned which is important since Im trying to lose weight. Worth every penny he spent. Hope this helps. If you have question about it lemme know!


    What does your target heart rate have to do with losing weight?

    I have the FT4, Love it. I guess each of them have a few different options. Maybe check out their website for a comparison? If you're just looking for a reliable HRM the FT4 is pretty cheap depending on where you get it from but doesn't wirelessly upload to the site... That doesnt bother me bc I don't use their site I track on Fit bit and MFP and it's super user friendly! Good luck! (ADD:) Also the FT4 syncs with the machines at my gym for HR with no problem so I'm not constantly looking at the watch for an update..

    && @ DavPul around target heart rate is considered 'fat burning' zone in which you are *supposed* to burn more fat than muscle as far as cardio goes... I Think she meant more that the calorie count was important tho.
  • DavPul
    DavPul Posts: 61,406 Member

    What does your target heart rate have to do with losing weight?



    && @ DavPul around target heart rate is considered 'fat burning' zone in which you are *supposed* to burn more fat than muscle as far as cardio goes... I Think she meant more that the calorie count was important tho.
    [/quote]

    mythical fat burning zone is as real as mythical unicorns.
  • Yogi_Carl
    Yogi_Carl Posts: 1,906 Member
    Wearing the Polar FT4 enables the wearer to actually see the so called mythical unicorns which are invisible to those not wearing the FT4.

    The FT4 is also useful for counting the calories burned during a cardio session and can be used in a swimming pool for swim calories.

    Of course, if you use the FT4 for swimming, you are unlikely to see unicorns as they tend to hang around in woodland glades.
  • rfsatar
    rfsatar Posts: 599 Member
    Wearing the Polar FT4 enables the wearer to actually see the so called mythical unicorns which are invisible to those not wearing the FT4.

    The FT4 is also useful for counting the calories burned during a cardio session and can be used in a swimming pool for swim calories.

    Of course, if you use the FT4 for swimming, you are unlikely to see unicorns as they tend to hang around in woodland glades.

    Aren't you forgetting about unicorns with water wings...? I have to say - I asked for an FT7 for Xmas with the sole purpose of seeing the water-winged unicorns, so I will be a might bit upset on the 27th if that wasn't true... (could have asked for the cheaper FT4 then...)
  • Tara1B
    Tara1B Posts: 78
    I have a FT40 and I absolutely love it. It is a bit more expensive, but for me it was such a worthwhile investment.
  • EvgeniZyntx
    EvgeniZyntx Posts: 24,208 Member
    DavPul is correct about the "Fat burning zone". One actually burns more calories and therefore more fat at higher rate, even when the percentages of fat burn vs other energy sources is lower.

    For the HR monitor it depends on what you want to use it for. If you want a reasonable estimate the FT 4 or 7 or ok. These do not use VO2max values and are less exact. If you want simple over precision get one of these. If you want precision get a higher $ cost one. The RS300x or FT 40/60 are probably a better compromise and not too $$$.

    As a first HRM the FT4/7 are fine.
  • Mokey41
    Mokey41 Posts: 5,769 Member
    Highly recommend the Polar FT4 for the average user. Reliable data and enough functions to be user friendly but not confusing. You may not see unicorns but it will show whether those gym machines have been lying to you and whether that workout you assumed was at your full capacity really is burning those huge numbers. No more guessing on perceived exertion.

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