I was fortunate enough over these past few weeks to work with Polar USA the absolute best in the business when it comes to heart rate monitors. I have to say it’s been fun monitoring my various fitness activities.
Polar USA – http://www.polarusa.com/us-en
Now I know many of you are familiar with heart rate monitors and many others of you are not, so here is the breakdown “simple stupid” style. It’s exactly what it sounds like – a personal monitor for your heart rate in real time, so as you lift, run, hike, go through a boot camp, whatever it is you are being measured.
So, if you know nothing about heart rate, calorie expenditure, fat burn % during your workouts this little bad boy can help you out. The exact model I used over the past month was the FT-40 – Full description below
http://www.polarusa.com/us-en/products/improve_fitness/fitness_crosstraining/FT40
Sleek, clean, black in color….I honestly really, really like the white ones they have too!
I have loved this monitor honestly, not only for lifting which it rocked for, but for my aerobic training sprints, hiking mountains, and rocking through some fitness camps as well. It surprising to find out what workouts burn the most calories, and what exercises raise your hear rate the quickest. For example one set of heavy deadlifts and my heart rate was through the roof and the calorie burning would ignite!
My 1st session wearing this, very motivating and fun to check the results post workout!
However, maybe my favorite feature is the “Fat Burning” breakdown or as Polar calls it the “EnergyPointer” feature. In a nutshell it tells you what % of your workout was specifically “Fat Burning” and what % is for improving your “Fitness”– I know many of you would love to use that in your workouts. I mean who doesn’t want to see their fat burning % after a killer training session?
They actually have some very easy to follow animated quick videos about this feature on the site – http://www.polarusa.com/us-en/products/improve_fitness/fitness_crosstraining/FT40
Now below here are more of the product features and the basics of the watch inside and out and who could benefit from this as a training tool.
Who is this monitor for? For active exercisers who want clear guidance and to monitor their fitness level.
Some of the key fun features are:
The EnergyPointer tells you if the main effect of your training is fitness improvement or fat burning
The Polar Fitness test measures your aerobic fitness at rest and tells you your progress.
Displays calories burned: I know many of you love seeing this in real time – I did!!
Comes with comfortable fabric transmitter and coded heart rate transmission to avoid cross-talk
After a Christmas Eve Lifting Session burning over 800 calories
Watch Features – The Basics
Backlight
Date and weekday indicator
Display text in English, German, Spanish, and Italian
Dual time zone
Button Lock
Low battery indicator
Time of day (12/24h) with alarm and snooze
User replaceable battery
Water resistant – 30m
My final thoughts on the POLAR FT40 Heart Rate Monitor, it’s a great training tool and for anyone looking for more insight into their workouts it’s a great buy. I don’t suggest buying one and living and breathing by it, meaning don’t put it on and train just to see the numbers change.
Rather use it in your current training for a few days to see where you are at, then based on your goals adjust your training and see how the monitor tracks your progress moving forward. I love seeing my heart rate in real time, and honestly has motivated me to participate in more aerobic activities over the past month. It’s getting to the point now where I don’t workout without this monitor strapped to me, and my guess is if you guys pick one up you will be the exact same.
If you are going to get a monitor don’t mess around – Pick Up a POLAR!!!!
To find a polar dealer in your area or grab one online click here: http://www.polarusa.com/us-en/where_to_buy
Enjoy and please let me know if you have questions! #POLARUSA
Jeremy Scott – Jeremy Scott Fitness