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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I’ve never had a fitness tracker, but I’d love to try one!
I find fitness trackers especially helpful on non-workout days! I like to make sure I’m still up and moving! I love the idea of the larger screen 🙂
i love having a fitness tracker to motivate me to move, especially since having kids!
I don’t have a fitness tracker, but I’m sure it would provide extra motivation to get in more movement and I could definitely use more motivation!
I used to have a FitBit and loved it but was one of the unfortunate to get a contact dermatitis so it had to go back. I am due with my 2nd also in February and would love some extra guidance as I work to get back in shape!
I also have a new baby (she is 9 weeks old today!)…plus a crazy 23 month old…so I am also getting my butt back into a workout routine. This lovely gadget will give me the motivation I need to work out rather than fold a million loads of laundry or sweep my messy floor:)
Total newbie–I’ve never tried one before!
I like to crush 10k steps too! This would certainly help!
The A360 looks so cool! I love the large touch screen along with the smart phone like features! I would love one to see how much I actually move around as a special ed teacher!
I would love one of these! I definitely need some motivation to keep moving these days!!!
I’ve never used a fitness tracker but this looks cool!
This is such a smart way to track fitness! Would love to have one!
I currently have a Fitbit Charge HR, but would love to upgrade! I am due with our first baby in March and it would be great to have some new motivation when I can really work out again!
I would love to see how many steps I take running after a toddler!
i’d love to know my step count for the day!
I just got a Fitbit Charge HR but this would be an AWESOME upgrade!
So cool! Thanks for the review- I’d love to have one!
I used to have a fitbit, but it fell off at some point and I could never find it! I’m due with our first baby in March, so I’d love to try something again once the baby is here!
Packing more veggies into my day!
I would love to win this! I would love the step counter feature to encourage me to move more outside of my workouts. Love the larger size of this model.
I love the idea of tracking steps! Any extra motivation to get moving helps!!
Thanks for the review on this – I would love to get one of these.
I would love having this! I’ve never had a fitness tracker but would love it.
Just had a baby two weeks ago (ahhh) and would love this to get back into the swing of things and see how much I am doing every day with the toddler and baby.
I would actually love to give this to a dear friend of mine who selflessly works THREE jobs (she is an RN, labor and delivery nurse and teaches nursing students), is married, has two young daughters and still makes time to be a great friend. She was actually in the room when my youngest son was born and was the one who took all of his stats, etc. so she has an extra special place in my heart! Anyway, to top it off, she somehow makes time to exercise. I think she would love to have a fitness tracker! OK, end of rant. : )
I would love the opportunity to become more aware of my activity throughout the day as I prepare to refocus on fitness following the birth of my second baby next month.
Love that this tracker tracks heart rate as well as steps!!
I enjoyed your review. I’ve been toying with betting a tracker but am being indecisive on what features I “need” versus “want”
Something like this would definitely keep my days more consistent… I fal into the habit of getting in a great workout in the AM and then commuting/working all day before vegging out at night.
Ooh! I love the touchscreen and the fact that it’s waterproof! I’ve been looking for a tracker to help me stay accountable on the days when I’m home with my baby
I lost my fitbit 🙁 So a new tracker would be awesome!
I’ve recently been getting into tracking my heart rate more during workouts to measure effort and would love to try out a tracker like this!
New years goal: first marathon!
This looks pretty cool! I’d love the extra motivation and reminder (except for that no sleep thing…) Thanks for all you do Gina!
This would be so helpful in training for my next half marathon!
Yay!! I haven’t heard much about this fitness tracker!
I’ve been looking at fitness trackers but I can’t make up my mind- this one looks super cool though!
Wow! I’ve never heard of the A360 before, but it sounds great!
So cool that it tracks heart rate info as well as steps! I’ve never wanted to wear a heart rate monitor (worried about some serious chafing haha) but this seems like it would be a way to get accurate info while still being comfy. Cool product!
My Garmin died on me (waaahhh) so I have been on the hunt for a new one! It would be a great way to start off 2016!!!
A heart rate monitor with a touch screen sounds very cool! I’d love to be able to check my texts and emails while tracking my activities (or lack thereof, haha).
I am working on my water intake!!
Would love to know the my step count! This tracker looks great!
I always work out in the morning, but whenever I’m not working, I have the tendency to let the couch suck me in…so I really think the tracker would help me keep up with a daily goal of moving more!!!
Looks awesome!!
My daily goals are to hit the 10k step mark, begin everyday with a healthy breakfast and drink a gallon of water!
I try to hit a step goal of 10k everyday and stay motivated by competing in step challenges at work. Been a rough two weeks….I’m used to winning but am on mandatory rest for foot surgery. Can’t wait for the all clear from my doctor!
I am about to have my first baby and would love this as extra encouragement to get moving after I’m cleared to start exercising again.
Wow! What an awesome giveaway. I started working out about a week after my son was born. I NEEDED to sweat and move. I hated being told I couldn’t workout – it made me want to do it more. Anyway – a fitness tracker would be a great way for me to gauge my workouts. I am pregnant and want to make sure my workouts are effective, not too hard, but not too easy.
I’m pregnant and the a360 would be great motivation for now and post pregnancy!
Thank you for your post! I have been looking for a good “band” that was able to track the things I want, in a user friendly way! This one looks great, I hadnt heard of it! It will definitely be added to my WishList! Much appreciated.