I love gadgets, particularly gadgets that relate to exercise and working out - I know, I should probably go out and get a life. Until I find one, I'll happily continue reviewing exercise gear and gadgets that are worthy of the discerning exerciser.
This week, I've posted a review of the Philips Activity Monitor. This little gadget, which is about the size of a Wheat Thin, fits in your pocket and monitors your body's movement throughout the day, letting you know (with flashing green indicator lights) how close you are to your activity goals. I love almost everything about the monitor and the website, which gives you cool graphs to track your goals. I did have a few issues with it as well, which you can read about in my review. Don't forget to leave a comment if you've had any experience with the Philips Activity Monitor.
Next up is my review of the Polar FT40 Heart Rate Monitor. I love the look of this watch and I also like the innovative features included - like the EnergyPointer and the Fitness Test. I'm not sure every exerciser would like this particular model, especially those who like to have more control over setting their own heart rate zones, but there are some great features that some exercisers might like.
Do you have a favorite heart rate monitor or other exercise gadget that helps motivate you? Leave a comment and tell us about it.
Paige, how did you find the calories burned figures on the Polar? I’ve had Polars before, but I think the calories burned are WAY too high. There’s no way I’ve burned 600 calories on a moderate treadmill walk for 45 minutes! Thanks!
I really like the monitors for checking how you’re doing.
I just needed a basic HR monitor, so I went with the Timex Personal Trainer. It’s OK, the biggest problem for me is that it doesn’t interface with the Life Fitness treadmills I usually run on. The newest LF equipment is only compatible with Polar (the Timex does work with older LF equipment).
It also takes some time/adjusting to get it to read correctly. It often drops down and only reads half of my pulse when I begin running. Once it’s dialed in it seems to work well, but it can be a little frustrating getting to that point.
I really like what you said, it’s informative.
I have tried several heart rate monitors, and while I love the way Polar monitors work, I hate the way the battery runs out and can’t be replaced. All the other monitors work just as well, and most of them allow you to replace the battery. The Polar chest strap battery can’t be replaced, and a new strap costs just about as much as their entry level heart rate monitor. Polar makes a lot of money on their heart rate monitors, and it helps that they cut deals with fitness equipment makers that will read the Polar strap so you don’t have to take your monitor with you on the road, just the strap. I tried getting the battery replaced on my strap, even buying a new strap from Polar or on Ebay, and it just wasn’t worth it. So I will never buy another Polar heart rate monitor again. The others work just fine. If you are on the road and using treadmills, they usually have a heart rate handle that is accurate enough – they didn’t used to be that accurate, but they are now. Failing that, you can use the “breath test” – exercise hard enough that you can carry on a conversation, but barely – that is very close to your target heart rate. As for sophisticated feedback that many monitors give you – that is a different matter. If you need that sophisticated feedback, then probably you are spending tons of money already on equipment and trainers, etc., and cost is no object. By all means support the economy by buying sophisticated equipment, even Polar.
My two cents’ worth! Have a great workout.
Cool product. I have to say the best thing you’ve recommended so far is the Apps. I love Cadence app, been using it since then.
got to plug it
http://www.cadenceapp.com
Hi charity.
I think you might have to look at your settings for age and weight to get a more accurate cal burn
I purchased a garmin forerunner and it is the best gadget I ever bought. Not only does it tell how far you ran or walked it tells you how fast, incline, and calories burned.
Nice post. Thanks for sharing it
Hi,
Chris from Polar USA here.
Great post!
@bob – I just wanted to clarify, most if not all current Polar products have user changeable batteries. In both the watch and transmitter set. They use standard lithium coin cell batteries that can be found in any electronic store.
Chris
I have had the FT40 for a week now and really like it but just like Charity, I am seeing huge calorie burns being registered (700+) during moderate exercise. Average workouts are one hour long, FT40 is registering an average 140bpm for me(250lb/male), and my VO2max registered at 36. All my other exercise equipment is showing a 300-400 calorie burn, and although I would expect the FT40 to be more accurate, it’s numbers seem unrealistic.