Polar FT4 Heart Rate Monitor - A Review.

jjl0412 · September 2012

HRMs are not made for weight lifting.

I work out at a post gym, almost every one there uses an hrm, for everything they do.

kuzurichan · September 2012

Thank you so much, guys. I really appreciate that you're reading this.

dane11235813 · September 2012

HRMs are not made for weight lifting.

I work out at a post gym, almost every one there uses an hrm, for everything they do.

\

honestly stop posting nonsense that you know nothing about. you're giving out really bad information.

kuzurichan · September 2012

honestly stop posting nonsense that you know nothing about. you're giving out really bad information.

She's just posting her own experiences. Why not just write WHY it's a bad idea to use HRMs for weight-lifting, and leave it at that, rather than calling other users ignorant?

kbubbles87 · September 2012

Ok I just did some reading and HRM should only be used for aerobic exercises. Those who use it for weight lifting are using it to measure something with oxygen and muscles and bpm during downtime?? Dane if you know the answer please elaborate.

Sarge516 · September 2012

I have one too and love it. I've worn it swimming and it works fine in the water - FYI.

If you're getting bad HR readings, try cleaning the strap. I got the same error (231 BPM?!?!) and after a good cleaning the proper reading was restored. Batteries are supposed to last 1-2 years BTW.

lldem · September 2012

Thanks so much for spending the time writing a review! I've been reading diff posts about HRMs and I would really like to have one! I run and always interested how far I go and cals I'm burning. So the gps would tell me distance? would that be the 7 that some are talking about not the 4 you have - Love the vibrant color btw!! Also I've started weight training, everything slow and low weights but I can feel my heart rate and the sweat dripping lol so I know I'm burning cals - How do you measure that if not with the HRM? Thanks again for all the positive explainations, it really help beginners understand w/o having to read all the text books lol

jessicae1aine · September 2012

I'm so glad to read this.

Mine is somewhere between Arizona and here, and I can't wait - I keep checking the Amazon tracking every 10 minutes. :P

kuzurichan · September 2012

I'm so glad to read this. Mine is somewhere between Arizona and here, and I can't wait - I keep checking the Amazon tracking every 10 minutes. :P

Haha, I did that too! And I am currently doing the same with my FitBit as well!

I'm sure you'll love it, btw.

I adore mine!

JLD81 · September 2012

Where can u buy the batteries and are they replaceable at home? I ordered mine yesterday and should get it Tuesday

kuzurichan · September 2012

Where can u buy the batteries and are they replaceable at home? I ordered mine yesterday and should get it Tuesday

Here.

http://www.polarusa.com/us-en/products/accessories/battery_set_for_FT7_and_FT4
You can replace them at home easily! The manual recommends getting a Polar supplier to change the battery to guarantee that it's still moisture/waterproof, but it's easy to do it on your own.

This is what the battery cap of the watch and WearLink look like:

Use a screwdriver to twist it, and the battery will be underneath.

DianeG213 · September 2012

My husband just bought me the silver one yesterday, I was worried that the strap would be uncomfortable (I'm very big busted), but it's not at all.

I have the FT7 and really like it. Now that I am running I wish I would have purchased the Polar with the foot attachment and GPS for mileage & speed. (Hindsight) The strap however does tend to make red marks on my skin where the clasp rests, and so I switch it from side to side daily. I also have an extra strap so I can clean it and hang it dry and I always have another ready. A few days ago I noticed that Polar had introduced a new "soft strap" which I intend to get because of the marks.

skinnyinnotime · September 2012

They're not so great a few months down the line. I've sent mine back to Polar twice, first time they replaced something and changed the battery, it only worked for a week when the same problems started again. The second time they sent me a new strap. It still doesn't work.

:sad: :sad: :sad: :sad: :sad: :sad: :sad: :sad: :sad: :sad: :sad: :sad: :sad: :sad: :sad: :sad: :sad: :sad: :sad: :sad: :sad: :sad: :sad:

kuzurichan · September 2012

They're not so great a few months down the line. I've sent mine back to Polar twice, first time they replaced something and changed the battery, it only worked for a week when the same problems started again. The second time they sent me a new strap. It still doesn't work.

I'm sorry to hear.
I think you've just been unlucky - I know plenty of MFP'ers who've had theirs for months and even years, and theirs work fine.

Doesn't make it any less frustrating when you have one that doesn't work though, but at least Polar is doing their best to help!

AubreySue81 · September 2012

Thanks so much for this review! My Polar FT4 is being delivered today, and this kind of gave me a jump start on what to really expect. :bigsmile:

2LoveEnnisMccall6 · September 2012

I ordered this Thursday night and it came Saturday morning it's amazing! !
At first I thought they'd only sent the watch with how small the box was
But the strap and connecter are tiny which is great, you can barely feel something
Is there. Does anyone take calories off whet there HRM says?
Some people say to I'm not sure? One said take 1 calorie off every min
You workout.

lusiski · March 2014

Hey, great review. I've had mine for about a year and I love it ( I even bought one for my sister).
I'm just wondering how accurate you think it is.
I'm a total stats geek, so I use a variety of gadgets and apps during my runs/lift sessions. I have found, at times, that my calorie burn is very high with the HR monitor compared to other applications that I am using (like the FitBit, for example)
I want to believe that it's more accurate because it's actually measuring my HR! ...but I don't know.
Thoughts?

dedeebabi101 · March 2014

I just bought mine. I can't wait to get it. I ordered two, one for my mother and one for me. Mine is light green/dark green and my mother has the pink/purple one. I purchased it from Heart Rate Monitors USA. I hope they are a trust worthy website. The company for HRM USA is in PA which is the state I am in, so I should get it by Tuesday or Wednesday.

I'm so excited.

ShreddingIt_84 · March 2014

I just bought this one, i think its cool!

mistyblue182 · April 2014

Hey, great review. I've had mine for about a year and I love it ( I even bought one for my sister).
I'm just wondering how accurate you think it is.
I'm a total stats geek, so I use a variety of gadgets and apps during my runs/lift sessions. I have found, at times, that my calorie burn is very high with the HR monitor compared to other applications that I am using (like the FitBit, for example)
I want to believe that it's more accurate because it's actually measuring my HR! ...but I don't know.
Thoughts?

I feel like mine is off too. It seems to say that I'm burning 100 calories every 10 minutes (roughly) no matter what I'm doing at the gym, cycling, elliptical, treadmill etc. I've seen/heard other people post their calories burned and it's rarely ever that high. That's actually how I came across this post, trying to figure out if mine is working correctly or not.