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 live in Chicago so I try to walk as much as I can while running errands and only take the bus when I really need to!
I’ve been wanting to get a new heart rate monitor! This looks perfect!
I have a fitbit flex which I love…but the idea of having all of that plus a heart rate monitor would be perfect!
I take the stairs whenever they are an option and try to get up from my desk as often as possible during the day!
I have been wanting a fitness tracker for a while. I just go back and forth between which one to get and then new ones come out all the time. I sit on a ball at work and rotate between that and standing to keep from being so sedentary :).
I’m so glad walking my pup was a suggestion! Lately it’s been shoveling snow, taking mini-dance breaks, and I break away to take a class at my gym. Zumba has been a great way to break up a hectic day!
I’ll walk around the warehouse at work instead of sitting at my desk.
I always try to park a distance from wherever I’m going so that I can get in a few extra steps. I also try to take plenty of trips to the water fountain at work- it encourages me to drink more water and also move more.
I ride my bike to work.
Yeah!! What an awesome giveaway!! I had a Polar heart rate monitor and lost it 🙁 This would an amazing replacement and a total upgrade from what I had!!
OMG I am so excited about this give away!!!
You have the best give aways!! I’ve been looking into a fitness tracker, but haven’t been able to rationalize the cost right now, so this would be a great win! Thanks!!
I take the stairs always instead I the elevator.
I had the flex too but returned it because it didn’t track all my activities and wanted one that also used heart rate!
I love to run but this would be great to help with making sure I’m more active in the daytime while at home with my daughter.
I do your amazing HIIT workouts on my lunchbreak from work. When I’m not working, I’m chasing around a toddler who is a fan of the stair (up stairs, downstairs, upstairs, downstairs. And repeat).
I’d love to have this for some of my workouts – rather than just the step counter!
I make sure to walk our dog at least 2 times a day for 20 minutes!
I go to CrossFit every day! I’ve been wanting to try one of these fitness trackers.
I always take the stairs!
I am interested in getting some type of activity tracker to help keeping me moving. I used to work in a job where I was on my feet the entire 8 hours, now my current job has me sitting at a desk a little more. I would love to find out how many steps I am taking during the day!!
I seek out the stairs (which is very easy in a city like Toronto where no one has the patience to wait for elevators), including the 6 floors to my apartment! I’ve also started doing push-ups on the weekend or when working from home everytime I get up to make tea, go to the washroom, etc.
Dance parties with the kiddos!
I received a Fit Bit for Christmas, but haven’t taken the time to set it up yet. Oops!
I walk to the furthest bathroom and then take another trip to refill my water bottle. Bonus that it helps me drink water 🙂
I would love to give this a try!
I’m a preschool teacher, so chasing 12 3-year-olds all day gives me plenty of extra activity. I’ve always been curious how many steps/calories I burn in a day at my job alone!
While i’m bummed to hear the sleep analysis isn’t as thorough, it’s great that the fitness tracking is so much more accurate. How do I get extra steps in throughout the day…taking the stairs!
I try to fit in extra activity all day since I am 35 weeks pregnant…and running (my favorite exercise) isn’t as easy. So I try to park further away or take stairs when running errands to get in some exercise or really get a workout in when I deep clean the house (that nesting is a real thing:)
I try to walk around whenever I talk on the phone!
What a fun giveaway!!! Hope I win 🙂
I try to squeeze extra exercise in by walking as much as I can!
I try to sneak in ways to exercise all day! Some of my favorite things to do are situps while the baby I nanny for naps, do lunges down my drive when getting the mail, dancing in the store to the fun music (the boyfriend hates that one 😉 ) and my all time favorite is running around outside with my doggy!
I have a polar hr monitor and this would be an awesome addition! To help get more steps in a day I never search for the closest spot in a parking lot. I’m okay with parking way out in the boonies 🙂
This would be so cool to win!! 🙂
This is great. It’s nice to know how much you’ve accomplished during the day.
My college is on top of a hill, so I climb TONS of stairs everyday!
I sit all day at a desk job and hear a morning workout isn’t enough when you’re pretty much sedentary otherwise. Something like this would definitely help remind me to get up during the day and get more steps in.
I’m a teacher and I try and walk laps around the building during my lunch break (:
I’ve never worn one of these little gadgets yet. I’m just becoming interested in them too.
Dancing around the house while cleaning and playing with my baby girl are great ways to fit in a little extra cardio in the day!
This sounds like the perfect gadget. Thx for the give away.
I always take the stairs when possible!
I stay active by walking to all my classes, and taking the stairs each time I come back to my room – I live on the 4th floor!
I get up every 30 minutes and walk around the office at work!
I have been debating fitness trackers for a while…I can’t take the plunge on any of them because they all seem to have pros and cons! Would love to try the Polar Loop!
Would love to test the polar loop–I love my jawbone, but it’s not all that durable, and I love the functionality of the loop with a heart rate strap!
I chase the kids all day long or turn up the radio and just dance out a few songs after sitting too long 🙂
I’ve been really interested in these! I liked reading your review!
I take public transit to work every day so I end up walking a lot as is… but I try to sneak in extra steps by getting off a bus stop early and walking the extra distance. I also take care to always walk up/down the stairs instead of taking escalators and elevators!