Polar Loop Review + giveaway time!
Hi friends! Hope you’re enjoying the long weekend <3 We’re driving back to Tucson after a fun and crazy weekend of house hunting and Disneyland. I’ll be back with my normal(ish) posting in the morning!
In the meantime, how ’bout a giveaway??
(Bella, wishing the loop came in her size, even though 19 hours of the day are spent lounging in between sprinting)
[The remainder of this post is sponsored by Polar through a compensated campaign with Fitfluential. As always, all opinions are my own. I’m always happy to share the word about new fitness products, especially when they include a fun giveaway opportunity. Click through for the details and your chance to enter!]
Quite a while ago, I was contacted about reviewing a Polar Loop. I was really stoked because it was something I’d been wanting to try, and even more exciting because it included a giveaway opportunity. In the meantime, I had already ordered another fitness tracker that was on the way. For the purposes of this post, I’m not able to do a side by side comparison, but hopefully my feedback will help you make the best decision for your lifestyle. There are pros and cons to the various types out there; it’s really about determining the best model for your needs.
I didn’t really become intrigued with fitness trackers until I started teaching at the resort. A TON of guests would walk into class with their respective gadgets, and as a techie curious person (not capable, just curious haha) I was definitely interested in the various types. When I stopped teaching at the resort, I was looking for ways to gauge my activity since I spent a lot more time seated throughout the day. I quickly noticed that it can be extremely challenging to get in the daily recommended 10,000 steps, especially when you don’t live in a walking-friendly city. (This is even when you’re chasing around a very active toddler!) Fitness trackers are a nice reminder to add some bursts of activity throughout the day, and can also provide some insightful data about habits and patterns.
One thing that excited me the most about the Polar Loop is that it’s compatible with Polar heart rate straps. I’d been a heart rate monitor fans for many years -especially while I was pregnant- and I knew I’d love the ability to sync the tracker during my workouts. My other fitness tracker counted “steps” via arm movements, so even when I was working out (especially with yoga, spinning and strength training) I knew my previous tracker was inaccurate. I’d be waving my arm around on the spin bike to get in my steps for the day 😉 The Loop seems to be more accurate, especially for workouts.
The first thing that alarmed me about the Loop was the size.
Thankfully, the Pilot was able to snip and reattach it. After that, it fit like a charm. I plugged it into my computer to charge and downloaded the app on my computer and phone.
Some things I noticed after a week or so of wearing:
Cons:
-No alarm! If this had an alarm of some type, it would be my perfect fitness tracker.
-The size. Even after fitting the band to my wrist, it’s still pretty thick. The simple band isn’t too much of an eyesore, but I’d love a daintier band.
-Basic sleep data. I wish it provided more info on my sleep patterns throughout the night. It gives me the duration but that’s pretty much it.
Pros:
-Longer battery life. I was pleasantly surprised with how long the Loop lasted without needing to be charged.
-Display. I wasn’t sure how I’d feel about it, but I LOVE being able to see steps, calories, time and activity right there on the wristband. For this reason, I didn’t drain the battery by synching it to my phone throughout the day.
-Heart rate monitor! I feel like this tracker is one of the most accurate versions if you’re going to be wearing it for everyday + workouts. It tells you your workout duration, time in the fat burning zone and fitness zone, and is extremely easy to use. It’s like the best of both worlds for heart rate monitors and fitness trackers. Also, because it’s a Polar brand, many cardio machines will sync and display your heart rate on the screen. Since it had been a while (since I was preg!) from the last time I’d used a HRM, I found that I was totally slacking on some of my workouts and could up the intensity. (cough, watching Downton Abbey on the spin bike, cough)
All in all, I’m really happy with the Loop. I’ll be wearing it from now on, especially on the days I work out.
Want to win one?
Here’s how to enter:
You have until Tuesday night (midnight EST) to enter! I’ll announce the lucky winner Wednesday, 2/19 in the am post.
xoxo
Gina
This post was sponsored by Polar Loop through a compensated campaign with Fitfluential. As always, all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting this blog and the companies that help support our family <3
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this would be fun to have
I always take the stairs, and promise my daughter we’ll go to the park…that’s always a promise of more activity!
I always take the stairs!
I have a fitbit which I love…but the idea of having all of that plus a heart rate monitor? Score!!! What a great give-away!
Would love this!!
As techie curious person who would like to become more techie capable, I would love to give this gizmo a go 🙂
I take the stairs up to my apartment
Thank you for all you do. I never know which band is more effective.
i love to take a lap during lunch, if i have time
Gina, this would help so much. I lost 80lb and have gained 20 back. I’m trying to lose it before it becomes 80 again! 🙂
Regardless. love the blog as always.
I try to walk to work a few times a week, even though it’s less convenient, it’s a great way to up my activity as well as take some time for myself!
I try to get in a good 1-1.5 mile walk with my dog 4-5 times a week. (It’s been tough recently since the temp has been in the negatives lately!)
I try to always use the stairs instead of the elevator to add a little activity to my day. I also make sure to get some sunshine for at least fifteen minutes everyday, which usually means a nice little walk or jog on top of my workout routine.
I try to park far away to get in extra steps. I feel like I’m on my feet all day at work, but sure am curious to see how that adds up!
I always take the stairs instead of the escalator/elevator, even if it means I have to walk to the end of the building to get to the stairs.
As my Polar HR monitor just broke, this would be ideal!!!!!
I always take the stairs at work. I sit on the 6th floor and I challenge myself to run up them. Still haven’t managed to make run up them without being completely out of breath 🙂 It would be awesome to see how high I get my heart rate when running up them because it feels like it is jumping out of my chest 🙂
I try to stay active with the kids I babysit and park farther whenever I can 🙂
Thank you for the information on this band. I never know which one is best.
I would love to win!
I live super close to work, so I walk almost every day!
Thank you for the information on this band. I never know which one is best
I walk to the furthest water fountain in my building to add in more steps throughout my day.
I always try to park extra far away to get in some more steps! I also walk my dog nightly through a park near our house.
It’s so functional!
Love this device!! Never even knew they made this and I wear my polar ft7 all the time!! Thx for the giveaway
I workout everyday, park father away, take the stairs throughout the day, and teach health and wellness like my feet are on fire to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders.
This would be awesome to have!
I get extra activity by carrying my two year and 5 month old at the same time!
It would be so great to have workout and day time informations at once!
This would be a great reminder to keep my intensity when my workout is dragging!
There are so many fitness trackers out there and I’m dying to try one out!
Great Giveaway!
I try and fit more activity in by walking to talk to co-workers instead of just sending them an email.
I try to do something a little active while brushing my teeth, like calf raises, side leg raises, squats, etc. And instead of driving around for a long time to find a close parking spot (a pet peeve of mine! unless it’s below zero outside…) I just find an open one and park quickly, even if it’s a bit far away. I try to wear my pedometer so I can see how many steps I’ve gotten in each day – it is pretty difficult to get to 10,000! I wish I had had one when I lived in DC when I walked a TON more.
I would wear this when I work out at home (HIIT training) and at the gym when I lift and do cardio! I have been wanting one soooo bad!
This is great! I work with small kids and feel like I always overestimate how much activity I get throughout the day! I had a fit bit for a while, but it broke, and was shocked at how hard it was to get in the recommended steps- I honestly thought it would have been nothing for me! I love the bracelet over the fit bit too.
I definitely woul;d like to track some burned calories at gymnastics or doing yoga
I try to fit in extra activity by taking the long way to people’s desks in the office. I sit in front of a computer for the majority of the day so when I do have to get up I try to make it count.
I always park far away, do an extra loop at whatever store I’m at, and take the stairs.
I try my best to drink tons of water throughout the workday so I’m constantly having to get up and use the restroom! If I ever need to run errands around my building, I skip the elevator and always go for the stairs!
I’ve been dying for one of these! So many times I’ll do my workout not knowing how effective it was
I JUST ordered another tracker about an hour ago, but I’d love to try this out!
What do you mean you snipped it? Is it adjustable?
I always take the stairs and walk up escalators!
I always park further away from the entrance, have a dance party with my 4 yr old and prefer to use the stairs when there is an option. Thanks!
I definitely am a far-parker. It’s easy to get in an extra burst of activity when you’re sprinting through the cold to get to the grocery store rather than sauntering in from the first row.
I keep a resistance band and 3-lb weights in my office for quick stretch and/or strength breaks 🙂
I lug around a car seat with a 10 lb and growing baby, all awhile trying to keep up with my 4 yr old!
My kiddos help me get extra activity in and I always make sure to play with them as much as I can, not just supervise. We also like walking to other nearby parks for change of scenery and extra steps to get there!
I <3 fitness gadgets!
I’ve been toying with the idea of fitness trackers, this sounds like a winner!