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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I would definitely love to try it out 🙂 Especially since I’m expecting a little one here in about month or so, I could definitely get some use out of it once I get back to my normal gym routine. I’ve only ever used my Polar heart rate monitor synced with the watch and then I have fit app that allows me to track mileage, steps, and calories. So this would be a nice change 🙂
I would love this! motivation to get up more during the days I am at my desk job!!
I try to do a short burst of jumping jacks and lunges every 20-30 minutes while I’m studying.
My daughter (2) and I have a dance party after dinner most nights. I can’t wait until the days get longer when I can take the pups for a walk after her bed time.
I would love to see my stats after the WSU workouts!
If I’m doing a lot of sitting, I’ll try and get up every once in a while, or at least move my butt a little (hip shakes/butt exercises). It’s a little weird, but it’s a little better than just sitting there doing nothing,
I love fitness gadgets! I find that on non-running days, getting a lot of steps is really hard!
I would love to try it.
I fit in extra activity in the day by taking the stairs whenever I can – including to my 4th floor office and 8th floor apartment (sometimes). I’d love to have a fitness tracker!
I make sure I get up at least once an hour from my desk and do a few squats and push ups.
I would love to win the Polar Loop!
I track my workouts everyday but I would love to be able to track my steps since I have a desk job. It would motivate me to get up and move more throughout the day.
I do my best to get up and walk away from my desk throughout the day at work, whether I am filling up my water bottle or just doing a loop around the building. I have found that I get re-focused and have better concentration too after that!
I would LOVE to win this giveaway! I think it would be super motivating for me 🙂
I walk my pups and try to plank during every commercial break when Im watching TV!
I walk to the farthest bathroom. I also take 15 minutes in the afternoon to go on a walk!
I love to walk or run to & from the gym for my Body Pump or Body Flow classes to get a little cardio in before & after. In the winter, sometimes I’ll hit the treadmill before.
I always go for a walk when I get home and try to get up frequently at work and take walks.
I need something to remind me to do more activity during the day!! This would be perfect. I do my normal daily workouts but I definitely need some motivation to add that extra push in!
I have always wanted to try one of these Gadgets.
I am new to the fitness tracker idea, but I love that Polar Loop combines many of the features in one. I really have no idea how many steps I get in a day, so it’s be helpful to know!
I’d love to win one!
I would LOVE one! I already have the HR monitor and I was going to get rid of that to buy a fitness tracker. I am so excited to see a product that will work WITH my FT 40!
During the workday, I watch the clock and if it has been an hour since I got up and walked around, I will take a walk around my office.
This is so cool! I would love to keep better track of my workouts!
Opps, I entered the wrong FB name- it’s Toni Shipp. So sorry!! Just wanted to clarify so it wouldn’t hurt my chances!
I try to go up and down the stairs in my house a lot. It’s something little, but working from home I think it adds up!
i take the stairs to and from my condo instead of the elevator.
I just got a “mio” watch for Christmas hoping it would track my activity levels during the day and unfortunately I’m not a fan. I do have a Polar watch and chest strap, but never replaced the chest strap once the batteries wore out so this would be awesome! I never had a problem with Polar (except the battery issue, but obviously that’s bound to happen).
So hard to find the right fitness tracker when there are so many to choose from would love to try the polar one becasue I love the brand though
I try to walk to the further train station so I can get extra steps in and fresh air after work
One of these is just the kick I need to step up my workouts a bit!
I opt for walking to school instead of taking the shuttle and using the stairs instead of the elevator whenever possible!
I use a fitness tracker now and I love it but I know it is inaccurate. I would like something that synced with my heart rate monitor!
LOVE that it links to a heart rate monitor! Great solution for people who lift as primary form of exercise.
I use the Polar FT4 and have been curious about the Loop for awhile now. So cool!
I always try to get up from my desk during the day, stretch and take a little walk around my building. I’m also currently 6 months preggo, so this walk around the building sometimes turns into a walk to the Pinkberry down the street… 🙂
I do squats and walk push ups in the restroom at work or walk the stairs to fit in extra activity during the day!
Music playing in the house, rather than having the television on keeps me moving and getting stuff done! Also, I take a spot farther out in the parking lot and take those extra steps.
I try to squeeze in some extra fitness by walking up the my apartment (6th floor) instead of the elevator every day, except laundry day! Living in a city I get a lot of extra movement from all the walking/commuting, but my body has gotten used to the daily ritual, so now I try to walk to the next subway stop when it’s nice out to add a little something extra!
I just got the fitbit and really wish it had the heart rate monitor (and didnt count my arm movements as steps – although sometimes I need those arm movements steps to get me to my 10,000 a day). Would love to try the polar….
Data=fun! I’d love a Polar Loop!
I’m an elementary music teacher, so I always try to incorporate a lot of movement activities for the kids, and they love it when I join them! I also try to walk around a lot during the day, and try to be on my feet pretty much the whole school day.
I always park far away been doing it since I started driving, it drives my best friend nuts. also I feel I get in some extra exercise going up and down the stairs in my house all day;)
Regardless of whether I’m working in the office or at home, I always make it a point to walk outside (groceries, quick shopping trip, or just strolling around) every day for at least 30 minutes. It’s such a great mood-booster, especially during these miserable winter months!
Interested in beginning to use a HRM again. I used one while pregnant as well. Might be nice to try one not pregnant to ramp things up a bit!
congrats on SD- I love that city
When going grocery shopping, we try and park further away from the door and remind ourselves it’s “heart healthy” to do so!
I tend to walk to the offices of my colleagues rather than IM or call. I also try to leave the office at some point during the day to stretch and get some sunshine on my face (a perk of living in Florida.)
I love Polar products because they automatically link with the machines at the gym (for the most part)! awesome giveaway!
Walking my fur baby 🙂
PERFECT! I wear a Polar HRM/strap and have always wondered how accurate the fitness trackers were that don’t use straps to calculate.