Inspiration to move with the Polar A360
This post is sponsored by Fitfluential on behalf of Polar.
Heading into the New Year, my fitness goals are pretty straightforward. I’ll write a post about it, but I’d love to increase my strength and cardio endurance, run another half marathon, and build some lean muscle.
My number one priority is moving on a consistent basis again, and with the Polar A360, it’s been a great nudge to get back into it.
Since I took off the necessary 6 weeks postpartum to recover from birth, at first, I thought it would be like a fitness vacation to recharge and hit it again with gusto when I was cleared to resume activity. I was like, “Oh, this is nice, I’m going to feel so refreshed when I can return to the fitness game. “ After the first week, I felt completely normal and my attitude changed. I was itching to move again. I feel so much better when I get in a sweat session, and it’s a fresh breath of “me time” amidst the many actions involved in keeping two small children alive, happy, fed and entertained. When the midwife cleared me to work out again, of course I was excited, and then I was like, “How am I going to have time to work out?” It can be a little tricky when you feel like you don’t take a breath until you collapse into bed.
Needless to say, I was pretty thrilled when Polar sent me one of their new A360s to test out. Not only would it provide some motivation to safely resume my activities, but also a way to monitor my heart rate throughout workout sessions.
Here are some of the things I’ve noticed:
Even though I feel like I’m on the move all day, since we’re still not quite out and about as much, my step count has gone way down.
I was excited for the insightful data from this monitor… except the sleep part. I didn’t need to know how much sleep I’m (not) getting. Haha.
When you wear a fitness tracker, you’ll get a lot of questions! I always love to ask about how people like their fitness trackers, so I’ve been happy to share the love and how much I’ve been enjoying the A360.
Pros:
Motivation to move. Just knowing that you’re trying to reach a 10k step goal is extra encouragement to take small actions throughout the day to accomplish it, like parking farther away, taking the steps whenever possible, or extending the dance party time with your preschooler. For the record, if you find that you’re low on steps, just do some Zumba songs. (YouTube has a ton.) BOOM. It’s an easy and fun way to get some extra movement!
I love the giant touch screen. I haven’t tried anything like this, and you can easily scroll to view your day, heart rate, the time, and what you’d need to do to reach your 10k goal.
The app is extremely user-friendly. You can access it on your computer or phone, and quickly sync to see how you’re doing. I’ve found that since the tracker itself provides a lot of information, I don’t usually need to check into the app much throughout the day. It’s a nice way to view patterns over the span of a month or week.
The A360 also tracks your heart rate. This is particularly awesome for classes or activities that don’t register as high step counts, but are still great workouts, like BODYPUMP and Spin.
It’s also waterproof and you can get notifications, like incoming calls, messages and your calendar. I love that they added some smartphone features!
Cons:
The only con I’ve noticed is that the band and screen are very large on my freakishly small wrists. Even so, it’s very comfortable to wear and use.
Is there a daily goal you try to hit? For me, I always try to make sure I get enough water, and some type of protein and produce in every meal and snack. When I’m wearing a fitness tracker, I like to try and crush my 10k step goal.
Leave a comment below, and I’ll surprise a lucky reader with an A360 of their own. 😉
xoxo
Gina
This is a sponsored post, but the giveaway is being sponsored by yours truly. Thank you so much for supporting this blog and the companies who help to support our family.
This post is sponsored by FitFluential on behalf of Polar.
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A great motivator to move!
Super cool blessing to introduce my clients to a new tracker!
Looks like a great activity tracker!
That screen looks really great. And I love the heart rate monitor feature. A new fitness gadget would be the perect motivator for the new year!
I would love to win this to help lose my baby weight when I’m cleared to work out again
That watch sounds amazing! Hope you and your family had a wonderful Christmas, Gina 🙂
I just had a baby 8 weeks ago and would love to get my activity back up to where it used to be. This looks like it would be perfect!!
I love activity trackers, this one has such great reviews and so many features!
I try to make fresh fruit & veggies a priority as much as possible throughout the day. If I go too long without good produce, my body is always like, “Oh, no she didn’t!”
I would love a fitness tracker that also monitors my heart rate!
I try to drink enough water each day and move at least an hour of every day, even if it’s low key.
I always try to crush my 10k step goal too!!! sometimes its so easy and sometimes its near impossible, but i love the challenge.
always wanted to try one of those!
My goal is to feel better about my body after having my baby-between carrying her for 9 months, and now feeding her for 9+ months so far-it has done an amazing thing, and I need go appreciate it!
New year, new baby — definitely would love a new heart rate monitor to kick things into gear! 🙂
I’m 32 weeks pregnant with my 2nd baby. I’ve been working out throughout this entire pregnancy, and I love the way I feel day to day. I can’t wait to get back into running after clearance from the doctor. Plus, I’ve always wanted a fitness tracker with a heart rate monitor.
Does the Polar A360 have a clock/watch setting? I’d hate to give up valuable wrist space without a time keeper.
Thanks!
I would love to try out a monitor like this to keep my motivation going!
I would love a fun and, more importantly, useful new fitness toy to jumpstart my re-dedication to exercise and eating right.
I try to include produce and protein at every meal but it seems like lately I have fallen off the bandwagon. Hoping I can get back on it soon.
this fitness tracker seems to be exactly what im looking for! my goal in 2016 is definitely to walk more and with a desk job it’s def harder than it seems to get in those 10,000 steps!
Love technology to help keep one moving!
I am finding it hard to make time for me. I think something like that would be great for in my face motivation to get our more and be more active. Thank you for your blog you do give me some me time!
I try to walk 5 miles a day, which has been pretty doable for me. I always walk to the bathroom that’s the furthest away from my desk!
This tracker looks great! Would
Love to try it
I have been contemplating a purchase and appreciate the honest review. More movement is a goal of mine for 2016!
I have tried other fitness trackers before, but none had the heart rate monitor or interactive screen. I really like that about this one, and think it would definitely help me to reach my step goals for 2016 and beyond!
I’m a new momma working on getting back in the swing of things! This sounds like the perfect tool to help motivate me or anyone to get moving! Would love one !!!
Thank you for this great giveaway! It would be great to include this fitness monitor as I attempt to train for my first half marathon! Happy New Year!
I am recovering from a shoulder injury. Barre (very modified) and walking are currently my main forms of exercise. A fitness tracker would definitely be great movement motivation for me with our very cold New England winters!
I am finally recovering from a femoral hip fracture and struggling to get back into the swing of things. I think that this amazing watch would give me the motivation and inspiration I need to get back to walking and then running. =)
Awesome! I try to eat salad (spinach usually) everyday.
I’ve never had a fitness tracker, but all my coworkers have one! It looks like a lot of fun and good inspiration to stay moving. I would love the heart rate tracker especially since my workouts have changed a little since being pregnant. I feel like I’m always breathing hard no matter what the activity haha
I have been on the hunt for a tracker, I need some motivation to get me moving more!
I keep hearing good things about the A360! It is most definitely on my wish list now! I love that you’re doing a sneaky giveaway with one!
2015 has seen the best and worst of my fitness endeavours. I was on top of the world after completing my first marathon in March, but the thrill was short-lived after becoming injured the following month. I spent my summer and fall months actively resting (walking, hiking, kaying – I love the outdoors!) but have struggled to keep going this winter. Just when I felt ready to run again, I came down with a nasty cold. An exercise tracker might just be the perfect catalyst for getting my groove back. I do best with having a personal goal or challenge…even when I’m only competing against myself!
I have been trying rto really increase my water intake. It’s something I’m still not good at, but especially with nursing, I’m trying! I also need to make sure I’m not sitting all day with the babe 🙂
I’d love to win one! I had the original jawbone up and really enjoyed using it but it stopped working and ever since, I’ve been curious about the ones that track heart rate.
You are looking amazing btw! 🙂
I bought a fitness tracker with a couple gift cards that I got for Christmas. Knowing exactly how many steps I’ve taken each day is definitely motivation to get more in and reach my daily goals.
My goal for 2016 is to feel strong. Of course I need to get more specific, but I want to end the year better than when I started.
My daily goal is to write down one thing I was grateful for during that day… Before I go to bed, I take a minute to think about my day and then write just one line about that specific day. It’s fun to look through the book and see what I have written!
Been looking for a new fitness tracker, I’ve been completely unmotivated since the beginning of November and need to do something to shake things up.
I always try to make sure I stay hydrated and eat as healthy as possible.
I am obsessed with my Fitbit and always try to hit 10k steps! I’ve had my Fitbit for two years now and wear it religiously to encourage me to be active and healthy everyday… It works! The A360 looks like it would be an amazing upgrade! I definitely wish I knew my heart rate for workouts since I love body pump and feel like the Fitbit discourages me from weight lifting since steps are the only goal. Great giveaway! Thank you! You look amazing post baby!
I love the looks of this! My Hubby has the M400, and it looks much bulkier than the A360
With two small kiddos at home I feel like I’m constantly on the go, too, but I don’t think I’m hitting my 10k steps. I’d be interested to know how many steps a day I’m actually taking
With the exception of rest days, I try to run a minimum of 2-3 miles every day.
I’ve thought about trying a fitness tracker, but I can’t decide if I want something that I keep on all the time or something more like a heart rate monitor/GPS watch for my workouts and runs. Like you, the thing I’m not too interested in is the sleep monitor. I looked at the A360 come more on the website, and it looks like a great gadget.
New mom here! Would love this to help motivate me to keep fit!
I haven’t had a fitness tracker, but would love to try one!!
I would love to win this! I don’t have a fitness tracker and this would be great to see how much I’m moving and to gain more motivation!:)
Happy New Year!!!