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 go to the bathroom on the 3rd floor of the building in which I work 🙂
I try to add squats or calf raises to normal activities. I do squats while unpacking the dishwasher or folding clothes as I remove them from the dryer. I do calf raises while waiting in line.
I always take the stair versus elevators and I do lungs when I go to the copier in my office (which is about 50 times a day)
I always take the stairs over the elevator!
I park farther away or walk my dog longer! Or I’ll go to a bathroom that is a little further away at work.
I try to get outside with the kiddo every day, even when I don’t feel like it.
I am still trying to decide which monitor would be the best for me. Right now I use a combination from MapMyRun/Ride, and a standard heart rate monitor, and a pedometer for everyday wear. I have a hard time reconciling all of these to determine how much work I actually completed. Gah!
I try to do planks, pushups, and crunches a few times a day to get extra exercise in!
I have been going back and forth about purchasing a gadget like this, it would be great to win one! Thanks!
I take my pup on walks!
I like to go for little walks around my neighborhood. Also, I work at a standing desk so that counts a little, too.
I work a full time office job, I try to get up and walk around the building at least every hour!
I am a spin instructor and have been hesitant to get a fitness tracker since they don’t do a great job on the spin bike. This one would be perfect!
I have a long work day but when I get home I head right out for a quick walk. Even if it is just around the block to the mailbox, it’s a few extra steps that add up!
My toddler and I will do our stretches, push ups and sit ups while we’re playing throughout the day. He thinks it’s hilarious and fun so it keeps me motivated.
I walk from the train that takes me from NJ into NYC, instead of just hopping on the subway.
I’d love to see how many steps I can get in during my (very) sedentary work day!
i do jumping jacks during commercial breaks!
I love that it has the heart rate monitor ability, that is something the other trackers are lacking! Great giveaway, thank you!
I already have a polar watch that only uses it for workout but with this I would track all day long!
I always walk to talk to my boss, and try to park far away from stores/work so I can get a little extra walk in!
We have a fitness center at my work that I need to make some more time for. I went down there for a quick 30 minute break on lunch to walk and got 2 miles in and I felt great! I need to remember to do that more often!
i enjoy working out and would love to be able to monitor heart rate / steps / calories / etc.!
I try to just get up and going every once in a while. If I find I have been sitting for a little bit, I get up and do some stretching and walk around- maybe throw some laundry in. Just little things!
I try to take the stairs at work to squeeze in some extra fitness during the day–just three flights, but it helps!
I always take the stairs, never the escalator/elevator…and I try not to sit for long periods without interruption.
I would try to be more active at work, getting up more throughout the day and maybe doing a set if stairs in the office!
taking the stairs! that’s the easiest way for me to get in extra exercise during the day 🙂
i work out while watching tv hahaha
This looks amazing!
Looking at different monitors-thanks for the review.
I always take the stairs and I go for a walk at lunch.
Between my 23 month old & 5 month old I feel like I am always on the go! With the Midwest weather being awful I’ve been doing lots of random dance parties, obstecales courses, & wrestling with my toddler. I can’t wait until it is nicer out again so we can go on walks, play in the park, or our yard! Doing things with my kids is my fav way to get in some extra activity!
I like to get up from my desk and stretch a little bit throughout the day, not only does it feel good but it helps to keep me awake. Also, I work at a university so I always get in a little extra walk in the morning and evenings walking too and from my car each day.
Would love one to track my daily activity when I am
Not intentionally working out.
I’d love to try the Loop!
I usually try to park further away from the store or office, take the long way to the water fountain or bathroom and take a quick walk around the office to stretch my legs every 45 mins to an hour at work. Sometimes I’ll squeeze a 30min walk/run into my lunch break on days when I know I won’t get the chance to workout in the evening. I’d love to try the loop particularly for the heart rate monitoring capability.
I work at an e-mail happy place and try to get off my butt to talk to people in the office rather than only e-mailing!
I’ve been wanting to buy a fitness tracker. Thanks for the review, Gina!
I always try to park far away from the store and my workplace.
Thank you for the review—there are a lot of these out there and so hard to figure out which one would work for you.
This actually sounds like a good one since it works with a heart rate monitor.
Thank you for the chance to win! 🙂
I get up and walk to coworkers offices when i have questions instead of calling or emailing.
Forgot to add in my extra fitness.
I’m always walking all over the office and up and down the stairs when I get home from work. Being forgetful has some good things. 😉
I live in the city so I try and walk as much as I can and drive less. It’s better for me and the environment.
One thing that really helped me step up my fitness game was committing to a running challenge with friends at work. We agreed to run at least 1 mile everyday from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day. I only missed 2 days!! I was pretty impressed with myself. Doing the challenge really showed me how I can fit in some sort of fitness everyday, even on the busiest days.
I would love to wear this to see how my calories get burned throughout the day! This is an awesome giveaway!!
Walking my dog! 🙂
I would love to try the Polar Loop to see how many steps I take during the day, and how my activities add up. Lately I’ve been making it a point to take the stairs instead of the elevator to get in some additional activity…and I live on the fifth floor!
I would take the stairs at my office! That’s 8 flights!
I try to get out at lunch for a quick 20 minute walk when its not too cold!
I have been going back and forth on which activity tracker I want to get. I have a Polar Heart Rate monitor already and love it.
At work I walk over to coworkers office/desk to ask questions instead of calling. This way I make sure to get up and out of my office more often.