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 love this, I have been using my polar hrm for years!! I would park further away and take the stairs instead of the elevator to get in my 10,000 steps.
I’ve been wanting a heart rate monitor, but then got confused when all the fitness trackers came out, so this seems like an awesome compromise between the two if you use the heart rate monitoring component! So cool.
To burn some extra calories I try to always park near the back of the parking lot, take the stairs instead of the elevator (especially because elevators make me nauseas) and random kitchen dance parties never hurt anyone 🙂
I think I am the only person on earth without a fitness tracker but I would love one! In particular, I really want to be able to track my daily steps which I know I fall sort on with my desk job!
I do short brain break activities with my fourth graders–like jumping jacks or jogging in place. It gives all of us some much needed activity in our school day 🙂
I was recently given a 1 hour sitting cap by my physical therapist.. this is difficult while in graduate school, but every hour I get up and move for a minute. I either stretch, walk to the drinking fountain to refill my water bottle or go to the bathroom!
I always take the stairs to burn a few extra calories 🙂
As a pregnant fitness instructor, I’m lusting over the loop!
I usually park far away from where I need to be.
My one year old is going through a clingy phase (lots of hugs–love them!) so I have been getting extra activity carrying her during just about everything I do! 20+ lbs. of extra resistance!
I get up multiple times a day to get water at work. Not only does it get me a much needed stretch break and helps me with my hydration goals, it’s one small way to add in a little more movement to my day!
I do kickboxing on the Wii 🙂
I park far away from every where I go. So much so that my friends make fun of me. 🙂
I walk to and from work (~2 miles each way) and do my best to take at least a little walk during my lunch break. I have a Fitbit and find the gameification aspect of fitness tracking really motivating.
I always take the stairs instead of the elevator!
I volunteer to run errands and work where walking is needed (make copies, etc).
I do squats while I’m waiting for things: when I’m straightening my hair, when I’m waiting for these to bake in the oven, it works!
I walk on the treadmill while checking emails in the morning!
I live in Boston, a very walkable city, so I walk to class and work whenever I can!
I just started a desk job and after realizing my legs were sore from sitting too long in the cube, I now get up and take the 5 flights of stairs up and then down a few times a week. Sore legs from sitting!?
I like to park down the street from work, and walk, rather than parking in the garage under the building.
I like to take the stairs whenever I can for a little extra activity. I also try to walk wherever I can- like to class or meetings on campus (living on campus at school makes it easy to walk to places!)
I walk around when I’m on the phone rather than sitting on the couch
I make a ton of trips up and down the stairs in our house with my 2 little girls- getting toys, putting away toys, book time in their room, etc. 🙂
I always park further away from the entrance at stores…mainly because I’m bad at parking, but the extra walking is good too. 🙂 Also at night when I’m brushing my teeth I’ll do wall sits or calf raises.
I run to the gym instead of driving!!
I’m also very curious about fitness trackers but haven’t taken the plunge.
Taking the stairs!
I always park on the top floor of the parking garage on campus and have fun jogging up and down the stairs to get to and from my car (okay so maybe its not thattt fun 😉 ).
I have been eyeing this and really hope I win!!! I love polar products!
I take a long walk for a coffee break!
My office at work is at the furthest possible point from the “up front” area (copier, mail, mail boxes, etc), so I try to walk up there as much as possible instead of combining tasks to only 1 or 2 trips daily. I also use the bathroom farthest away and refill my water bottle at the far fountain!
I have to move my car every two hours, which I initially thought would be a pain. But I’ve found I actually love getting to walk up+down three flights of stairs and down the block a handful of times a day–it clears the mind and loosens up my legs!
I’ve been dying to try a fitness band
I take the stairs at work when I can
This seems like the perfect tracker!
I always take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator:)
Dance around while heating my tea 🙂
I go on a run with my 11 year old son. Gives us uninterrupted catch-up time.
I fit extra activity into my day by taking a post-lunch walk around my office building, trying to choose the farthest copier/route to the restroom/etc., and trying to set up my desk as a makeshift “standing” desk. I get really antsy with all of the sitting at my job so I’m always looking for ways to get up and move : )
i always park farther away so that i have to walk a little bit more.
i have been wanting a polar loop, so i’m crossing my fingers! 🙂
For extra activity, I’ll do some “stairs” in our house or walk a mile down to the playground with our son.
At work I like to I keep a small water bottle at my desk, the small bottle forces me to get up often to refill it.
I definitely want to try this out!
My gym class says that they burn over 800 calories and I’d really like to see if that’s true!!
I got a FitBit for Christmas and returned it after a little while because I felt that it was lacking in what I was looking for. This looks like a nice alternative. Didn’t know Polar was making one!
Taking my dogs for a walk/ run. All of us enjoy our time outdoors!!
I walk a lot during my job as a teacher and I want to track my activity level during the day. I have a polar ft40 watch and i love it.
I incorporate movement (stretching, squats, etc) into my daily life as I teach music. Movement and music go hand in hand.
I would love to try one of these out to see how it compares to my Garmin HR monitor!
Looks cool. I’d love to win one! I don’t have a tracker at this point.