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
Post Navigation:
Winter Shape Up Week 4 Workout + Reebok Zquick Giveaway → ← Disneyland and House Hunters v2.0934 Comments
Leave a Comment
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
I’ve never heard of Polar Loop before. I wonder if it’s better than Fitbit? I’ve been considering getting one of these. I would love to have something on me at all times to tell me my steps, heart rate etc. I’m training for a half-marathon and it would be nice to get my heart rate from this because I feel like I haven’t been pushing myself enough.
I’ll take the stairs at work from the top floor to the bottom and back up a few times a day as quick break.
I run upstairs to use the bathroom, instead of using the one on the first floor.
Walking & chasing around my high energy pup adds some extra activity to my days!
I would love love LOVE to win this. I tried a fitbit before and I felt like it wasn’t very accurate. I have a polar heart rate monitor already and this would be perfect to pair it with
This seems so cool!! I’m glad there are more options out there, especial that work well with active people.
Oh and I try to get up every hour and walk around a bit. Also I try to walk on the treadmill when catching up on my dvr’d shows instead of while on the couch
I walk around my work on breaks. I use my old school pedometer to motivate me to get more steps in!
I stand up at my desk! And try to walk around the building during breaks
Thinking my next fitness tracker must have a heart rate monitor! This sounds great.
I take the stairs at work….and I chase around a dog and a 17 month old…
I try to walk between classes rather than driving – takes longer but it’s definitely some extra activity!
I do sit-ups or cardio bursts during commercials if I’m watching TV!
I take the stairs in my building. When weather is nicer, I try to walk outside at lunch.
I’ve been in the market for a fitness tracker, and I love the HRM option
I try and take the stairs whenever possible to get a little extra movement in!
Want Want Want!!! I’ll go to the park more often with Kay and climb through the jungle gym with her!
Living on the third floor of an apartment — with a dog! — helps me get in extra activity…up and down the stairs 14 thousand times a day! Other than that, I always look forward to my long evening walks with the pup to shake out the stress of the day 🙂
I fit extra activity into my day by going on walks during my lunch hour whenever it is nice outside.
I take breaks from the computer or other things I’m working on to take a walk around the neighborhood or just walk around the house.
I never use a drive through. Bank, Starbucks etc I will always walk in. And I generally park as far as possible away. Even on bad weather days…
I want one of these! I don’t know much about these, but think anything that keeps you moving is a step in the right direction.
I can start fitting in some running next to my kids bikes!
I always take the stairs!
I work in a school and I participate in gym class with the kids. So fun!
Looks really neat!
I walk my dogs every day even if I’ve worked out. It gives them the chance to get outside and I get a little bit more cardio!
I try to walk at lunch time, even if it’s just for ten minutes. I also use the restroom on the second floor of my office so I get some stairs into my daily activity.
I try to take the stairs up six floors back to my cubicle after lunch at work every day.
I like to do little bouts of sit-ups and push-ups throughout the day. Whenever I feel like I need a snack, I drop and do 10 of each. Working from home is great for this–no co-workers thinking I’m a total weirdo. 🙂
I try and walk to work when I can (two of my jobs are a thirty minute walk away — the other I have to drive to), offer to take my neighbor’s dog for walks, and always take the stairs!
I stare at these all the time online/in stores but I can never justify the price! Then, I get to the gym and wish I had one 😉
I’m a desk jockey so I try to get up and walk around every hour or so while working. I will also fetch wood for the fire, get the mail, etc just to have an excuse to walk around. I’d love one of these things!!
…and, I fit in extra steps during the day by going to the restroom 2 floors down. stairs = extra points, right?
Never turn down a chance to take the stairs.
Even though I need to take public transportation to/from work. I get off one stop before my destination to fit in extra walking!
I generally have to park further away anyways, so after I get home, I try to do tasks around the house instead of just sitting down
I try to get up once an hour and walk around my building, making sure I don’t sit for too long.
I do so any things to always get extra steps. I always park far, far away (two fold for me: more steps and no door sings!), I always take the stairs at work, and I try to do as much face-to-face interaction by going to someone’s office rather than calling them.
I try to park as far away in the parking lot so I can get extra steps also I try to walk my dog as much as possible!
I always walk up and down the stairs to get to my office at work! 😀
I definitely avoid escalators and always take the stairs!
I always park in the a farther spot, it means more steps in my day (health win) and less door dings (money savings win) on may car.
I’ve wanted to try this one!
Cleaning the house!
I try to fit extra activity in during the day by taking the stairs instead of the elevator at work, by parking my car farther away from my my office building’s entrance. I’ve been looking at the polar fitness tracker for a while and would love to win one!
I try to walk places instead of taking the subway (if possible)!
I will definitely be parking farther away and taking a lunch break walk! Well the walk may have to come later since we keep getting crazy amounts of snow! 🙂
I try to get in more steps at work by trying to walk to the person’s office rather than send an email! I also try to stand up and walk around or just stretch at least every 20 minutes!
I always take the stairs.