Polar FT7 watch w/ chest strap question

ttw1211
ttw1211 Posts: 91 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
1.Is anyone having trouble with the strap irritating your skin?? It started the first time I wore it and now it gets more irritated every time i wear it. It's so annoying. Any tips?

2. Do you think the calories are accurate?
I had a different kind before and it seems to match up. Just curious what others think about the accuracy

Thanks :)

Replies

  • emhunter
    emhunter Posts: 1,212 Member
    My strap does not irritate my skin but I have heard it does for others. Have you tried washing it? The directions advise to give it a gentle wash before wearing it and after each workout. They said it helps.

  • ttw1211
    ttw1211 Posts: 91 Member
    emhunter wrote: »
    My strap does not irritate my skin but I have heard it does for others. Have you tried washing it? The directions advise to give it a gentle wash before wearing it and after each workout. They said it helps.

    Oh ok. Maybe that will soften it a little. Thanks!
  • beachhouse758
    beachhouse758 Posts: 371 Member
    I have the FT4. I rinse the strap after each use and wash periodically. I keep it very tight and sometimes tuck it under the band of my sports bra to minimize it moving while I run and thus minimizing friction.
    You are also supposed to wet the rubber part of the strap prior to wearing, maybe that helps too?
  • MeanderingMammal
    MeanderingMammal Posts: 7,866 Member
    ttw1211 wrote: »
    Any tips?

    I use vaseline under mine if I'm training for more than an hour. LEss than that it's not a big deal.
    2. Do you think the calories are accurate?

    Depends what type of training you're doing.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    ttw1211 wrote: »
    1.Is anyone having trouble with the strap irritating your skin?? It started the first time I wore it and now it gets more irritated every time i wear it. It's so annoying. Any tips?

    2. Do you think the calories are accurate?
    I had a different kind before and it seems to match up. Just curious what others think about the accuracy

    Thanks :)

    1/ Sorry can't help never had an irritation problem even when wearing for 6+ hours.
    2/ Accurate enough for certain steady state cardio activities unless your exercise HR happens to be a long way from an average (e.g. very fit or very unfit for example). Dreadfully inaccurate if used for inappropriate activities.
  • Ceratopsy
    Ceratopsy Posts: 2,100 Member
    1. I enjoy mine but I get a little irritation right where the tag is. I put a little piece of fabric tape on it.
    2. It seems accurate enough for cardio and circuit training but lifting weights or yoga it doesn't seem to be correct.
  • RoseTheWarrior
    RoseTheWarrior Posts: 2,035 Member
    I don't get any irritation. I also rinse mine after every use, and wash it with the laundry once a week; just let it air dry.
  • Unknown
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  • ScubaSteve1962
    ScubaSteve1962 Posts: 609 Member
    edited October 2015
    I've been wearing a polar strap for 2 1/2 years, have never had a problem with any of them (had to change because I lost one) I wet it and put a dab of electrogel on it. I've worn it all day without any problem. I wear mine while I shower after working out and wash it once a week. Are you sure you're not wearing it too tight?
  • ttw1211
    ttw1211 Posts: 91 Member
    MeanderingMammal wrote: »
    ttw1211 wrote: »
    Any tips?

    I use vaseline under mine if I'm training for more than an hour. LEss than that it's not a big deal.
    2. Do you think the calories are accurate?

    Depends what type of training you're doing.
    That sounds like something that would help! Thank you!! Esp for then I do my 2 classes. Thank you
  • ttw1211
    ttw1211 Posts: 91 Member
    sijomial wrote: »
    ttw1211 wrote: »
    1.Is anyone having trouble with the strap irritating your skin?? It started the first time I wore it and now it gets more irritated every time i wear it. It's so annoying. Any tips?

    2. Do you think the calories are accurate?
    I had a different kind before and it seems to match up. Just curious what others think about the accuracy

    Thanks :)

    1/ Sorry can't help never had an irritation problem even when wearing for 6+ hours.
    2/ Accurate enough for certain steady state cardio activities unless your exercise HR happens to be a long way from an average (e.g. very fit or very unfit for example). Dreadfully inaccurate if used for inappropriate activities.

    Lol Like that kind of inappropriate activities??
  • blankiefinder
    blankiefinder Posts: 3,599 Member
    Mine has never irritated me, but as suggested, try washing it.

    What kind of activities are you using it for?

    HRM's are accurate for steady state cardio like riding an exercise bike or running. They are not accurate for anything that is not steady state such as intervals, weights, or something where you are changing activities. So if you're doing one activity and then switching to another, I personally would shut it down in between. It is also very important to turn it off as soon as you are done. If I work out in between my kids' races and then go sit in the bleachers for an hour to watch them, it will tell me that I burned 600 calories from sitting on my butt... :D I wish! It's from a combination of elevated heart rate after working out, elevated heart rate (stress) while they race, and the fact that HRM's numbers include your BMR calories.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    ttw1211 wrote: »
    sijomial wrote: »
    ttw1211 wrote: »
    1.Is anyone having trouble with the strap irritating your skin?? It started the first time I wore it and now it gets more irritated every time i wear it. It's so annoying. Any tips?

    2. Do you think the calories are accurate?
    I had a different kind before and it seems to match up. Just curious what others think about the accuracy

    Thanks :)

    1/ Sorry can't help never had an irritation problem even when wearing for 6+ hours.
    2/ Accurate enough for certain steady state cardio activities unless your exercise HR happens to be a long way from an average (e.g. very fit or very unfit for example). Dreadfully inaccurate if used for inappropriate activities.

    Lol Like that kind of inappropriate activities??

    Examples: Strength training, HIIT, being used as an activity tracker, anything stop/start, sex (!), low level activity.....
    It seems on MFP there are more people using HRMs for the wrong activities and the wrong reasons than then right ones.
  • izu87
    izu87 Posts: 267 Member
    I count the 'burnt calories' only when it's a steady cardio, however, I do use the HRM part for all the inappropriate activities as described above - simply to watch over my heart rate and its recovery.

    I have a different chest strap question - where do you buy a new one from? Mine is already getting a bit too loose after a year+ of usage, having lost some of its elasticity.
  • ttw1211
    ttw1211 Posts: 91 Member
    izu87 wrote: »
    I count the 'burnt calories' only when it's a steady cardio, however, I do use the HRM part for all the inappropriate activities as described above - simply to watch over my heart rate and its recovery.

    I have a different chest strap question - where do you buy a new one from? Mine is already getting a bit too loose after a year+ of usage, having lost some of its elasticity.

    Yea that's what I do too.
    I think you can buy them online. Just make sure it comparable with the watch you have
  • PieAndLattes
    PieAndLattes Posts: 43 Member
    izu87 wrote: »
    I have a different chest strap question - where do you buy a new one from? Mine is already getting a bit too loose after a year+ of usage, having lost some of its elasticity.

    I got a replacement for my polar on Amazon.
  • ScubaSteve1962
    ScubaSteve1962 Posts: 609 Member
    izu87 wrote: »
    I count the 'burnt calories' only when it's a steady cardio, however, I do use the HRM part for all the inappropriate activities as described above - simply to watch over my heart rate and its recovery.

    I have a different chest strap question - where do you buy a new one from? Mine is already getting a bit too loose after a year+ of usage, having lost some of its elasticity.

    http://www.amazon.com/Polar-Soft-Strap-Medium-XX-Large/dp/B007XCLU66/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1444585668&sr=8-1&keywords=polar+ft7+strap
  • izu87
    izu87 Posts: 267 Member
    Thank you all!
  • BurnWithBarn2015
    BurnWithBarn2015 Posts: 1,026 Member
    I have no problem at all with it. And use mine all the time for my exercises. I wash/clean it with some warm water and soap after i used it.

    And yes it is pretty accurate.
    I had some lab tests done and i was wearing my Polar too and for steady cardio it gave almost the same results....6 times.

    The average over estimation now is 11%.
    So lab test (VO2 Max) was 300 calorie burn, the Polar was 333 burn

    Now i noticed also that the lighter i became...so the more weight i lost the closer the Polar burn calories to the VO2 Max calories.

    I started about a year ago with a average of 16% difference.

    But like i said that is accurate enough for me, always remember it are gadgets they are fun and can give you an idea. And like mentioned above i use mine more now to see my heart rate ( fitness or fat zone).

    95069916.png

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