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 love Polar products. Been using my F11 for years but would love to try something new.
I always park a few blocks from school so I get some walking in, and when it’s a nice day (not the middle of a polar vortex), I’ll walk the whole 2 miles to and from school.
Take the stairs and walk to ask others if they need help. 🙂
I take the bus to and from work and usually get off a stop early to get some extra steps.
I sit at a desk all day and live in a teeny tiny apartment so all my activity has to be done outside of home. The big thing for me is skipping the elevator when I come up from the DC metro (The Rosslyn Metro station is always a challenge) and making sure I don’t rely on buses when I can walk. My husband and I don’t own a car so there’s always a bit of walking every day!
When putting laundry away, I will stack items according to drawers/closets and then put away each separately (walk to bedroom, put away shirts, walk back to laundry room & grab pants, put away pants, etc.). This way I take several trips to and from the laundry room for more activity. Also, when unloading groceries from the car, even though I could carry several bags, I take one bag at a time (again, for extra steps).
I have been interested in getting a tracker but never liked that it didn’t take heart rate into account when doing its calculation. Would love to try this one out so that when I am doing Cross Fit type workouts I can get a more accurate picture of how hard I am working so that I can be motivated to push harder on “off” days.
I like to ride my bike to run errands! I live in a very small town with beautiful scenery, so biking is easy to do!
When the weather cooperates I take the dogs for a walk and it’s a good chance to get in some light exercise/cool down post workout. On my rest day I try to take them for a longer walk or hike to get in more of an active recovery “workout”.
Awesome! How fun to have a fitness tracker! I want one!
I’ve been thinking about getting a daily tracker for some time – it seems like everyone has the FitBit but I’d like to try to the Polar!
pushing the stroller to get to the gym/library
I try to walk to other parts of the building to ask questions/ talk to people instead of emailing!
Great giveaway! I’d love to try one of these out.
Great giveaway! I’d love to try one of these out.
Working at a stand-up desk and sneaking random squats and stretches. I’ve been thinking about getting a fitness tracker…
I work at a large hospital and park a mile away from my office. Although it is not exactly by choice or pleasent (ahem, Wisconsin winters), it is nice to know I will always get atleast 2 miles of exercise a day.
I try to get up and stretch and move around throughout the day. This gives me little breaks and helps keep me focused throughout the day.
Now that I’m back to work after maternity leave walking to and from the metro will help to increase activity!
I head to the gym as often as I can on my lunch! I can’t always get a long workout in, but something is better than nothing!
I’ve tried a basic pedometer but this would be 10x better
I always try to take the stairs and go out during my lunch break!
I am so glad that this has a HRM! I didn’t want to buy any of the other ones on the market b/c that was the main thing I wanted! tracking steps does nothing when you are doing spin, zumba, and cardio!
Right now I work in a desk environment and basically sit all day. I try to get in a little exercise by taking a few laps around the floor or doing some stretching in my cube.
I sit a lot at work, so I try to take as many bathroom breaks as possible and fill up my water bottle as much as possible!
I’ve been doing some research and can’t find one that seems to have everything I’m looking for but hadn’t checked out this one. This seems like a perfect fit, especially if you have a polar heart rate monitor too. I’d love to try it.
I have the Polar heart rate monitor & I have been wanting a loop to pair with it for months now! I have a Fitbit, but I don’t like using it for workouts. I feel my heart monitor is more accurate.
I parked far away plus I have to walk up a huge hill to work every day. Once I get there I take the stairs to my office on the 6th floor!!
I try to work out during my lunch break!
I park on the 4th floor of the parking garage and take the stairs! Thanks for the giveaway!
I try to take stretching/jogging breaks during studying, and bike to places within a 10-mile radius instead of driving!
I always try to park far away from my destination, and walk to lunch destinations when I’m at work.
Ahhh! Been wavering between a fuel band and hrm and just order a Polar FT60 this morning…now I want this!! haha
Besides being an avid runner and living a very active life, I add in extra activity by always taking the stairs to my fourth floor dorm room. My roommates and I also have a lot of study break dance parties!
I take extra septs by walking my dogs to the park instead of driving them (it is only 1.5 miles away). Love my Polar HRM!
I live and work in Baltimore, at a downtown university campus. I walk as much as possible around campus, and skip the bus system (unless there is a polar vortex going on!).
I parked farther away today!
Does this band use a separate strap around the chest like the Polar FT4? Or does it work alone?
it works alone but if you want it to pick up your heart rate for workouts, you need to wear the chest strap
I try to take the stairs when possible and park farther from entrances since I do not live in a walker friendly city. Try to get extra steps in!
I get some more fitness into my day by drinking lots and lots of water during the work day; it forces me to get up and walk the hallways to use the restroom 😉
I’m cleaning (putting things away) in small groups so that I have to go back and forth more often. It takes me longer to put clothes away one by one, but it helps. I’ve also decided I don’t need to sit to do most of what I do, I can stand, walk, and dance around for most things.
I would LOVE one of these!
This looks so cool!! I’ve been researching the latest fitness gadgets, but haven’t committed to one yet…. Thanks for the reveiw!
This fitness tracker looks like it has everything I need!! Thank you for reviewing it!
I try to take the stairs instead of elevator at work!
Playing with my 14-month-old.
I always take the stairs at work (except when the heels are too tall/skinny) and I get in quick bursts while cooking breakfast in the morning. While the eggs are in the skillet I do jumping jacks, jump squats, regular squats, high knees, etc. Not all in the same day, I mix it up 🙂
I workout in the fitness center at work during my lunch hour – even if it’s just something easy!
I take the stairs, walk the dog and take the bus. It all adds up!!
I’ve been in the market for a new fitness training device and since I teach classes and am quite active, this would be perfect!
I always park far away and take the stairs. Would love to see how much activity I really get when I feel like I’m on the move all day. Although, maybe ignorance is bliss!