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 work at home a couple days a week and on those days I spend at least 2 hours sitting on an exercise ball. I know it’s small but I feel like it’s made a difference in feeling less sluggish and keeping me moving more in general throughout the day.
Always taking the stairs!
I’m a college kid and live in a dorm, so I’m constantly trekking across campus to class!
I use the furtherest bathroom in our building. That means I have to go down stairs and to the opposite side. And since I drink a ton of water this means I do this about 5-10 times a day.
Great giveaway! And thank you for the review, I have been interested in getting something for a while now and it’s great to hear the pros and cons. I
I try to walk around at work…I eat small meals so I have to walk to the kitchen many times per day. I also try to part far away from buildings…
This looks great!! Would help with my workouts!
I go walk around at lunch. It serves two purposes- moving my body and getting some fresh air!
All this snow has made walking 10000 steps a challenge! Would love to have a tool to really track accurately!!:-)
I run commute to work!
I usually try to fit in more activity by doing short workouts whenever I get the chance. For example, if I need to use the bathroom, I will do wall-push ups (5 reps, 5 sets) before I allow myself to leave, and before my lunch break, I will do tricep dips at my desk (5×5). Combine that with running up the stairs instead of waiting for an elevator to the office, and doing isometrics in the car, I feel like I stay pretty active during the day, although I will only officially go to the gym once.
My coworkers poke fun of me for it, but I converted my desk to a standing-only desk about 6 or 7 months ago–it’s amazing how painful sitting for long periods is for me now! Although I now have a closet full of heels I no longer wear, the standing desk was by far one of the best things I did for my health. I also park pretty far away in parking lots (but that’s partly for fitness and partly because I like my car to be scratch-free!)
I try to move around my office as much as I can! Get up to talk to a coworker in person, use the bathroom at the end of the hallway, and stand up at my desk as often as I remember to shake out and walk around a little. When it’s nice out (aka not now, I live in the northeast), I take a walk on my lunch break.
I take the steps and walk around the house when on the phone.
Having a dog definitely helps me get in extra steps throughout the day – both through taking him on walks and just chasing him around the house!
Going to start walking on my lunch break this week – its hard to fit in fitness as a working mom;)
when i go to campus i always park at the further parking structure. gotta get some steps in after studying all day!
This would be so awesome to win! I’ve really only learned about fitness trackers/HRMs in the last several months, but I think they can play a key role in everyday fitness…especially on those runs where I very easily slip into an extremely comfortable pace instead of burning through it! I haven’t bought one yet but I’ve heard such marvelous things about Polar.
I burn extra calories by working out with my students in class. I teach K-8 PE and Health. This tracker would be amazing to own!
Thanks for the review. I was curious about this tracker. I currently have the fitbit one and as you noted it doesnt track certain activities accurately, like the exertion in spinning. I clipped the thing to my foot while i was spinning one time 🙂 Usually i walk or run my dog to get extra steps in, he gets 2 to 5 miles or so a day. Since i had the tracker i park a little further too. How does the loop acccount for the increase in activity for activities that don’t track steps well. Does it give you separate data calories versus steps? Does it have something like an overall score? Thanks again!!
I would like to park away further in the parking lot at my office so i can track more number of steps.
Also as the weather is great these days may be go for a run and also go to park with my daughter.
I try to park far away from any store I am going to in order to walk a little bit more. I walk a lot in my jobs though so that gets me extra activity as well!
Oh whoops! I just saw the prompt as I went to click on “I commented” haha. Everyday I take my daughter on at least two walks around the neighborhood (maybe once in the stroller and once in the Ergo), and for the last few months I’ve been parking in the very back of lots. This is besides my normal workout, and I love knowing that I’m making more healthy choices (even if they’re doing very little for fat burn ha).
I walk around campus instead of taking my bike!
I have been looking into these actually. I am doing a lot of fitness but just found out I’m pregnant and would love to keep track of my heart rate!
I love fitting in little things like a yoga pose here and there or some quick squats. It’s a good challenge.
I live in a city, so it’s easy for me to get in extra steps by walking to a store every time I need something instead of taking the subway!
I would love a Loop! I’ve been keeping my eye on these trackers and have really considered buying one.
I walk the parking lot during my lunch break.
i take a walk every day with my coworkers and do lunges when I am chasing my puppy around the house!
At work I always take the stairs, and will sometimes use the restroom downstairs (we only have to floors) as a way to get in a little extra something.
Lucky enough to have a treadmill at he to hop on if it is not nice outside.
Been considering one for a long time. This would be fantastic way to measure my outside workouts.
I’d love to see how one of these works with weight training!
I fit in extra activity by moving while I’m on the phone. Whether I’m on the phone for 2 minutes or 60 minutes, I’m up walking around the whole time.
i get annoyed with the fitbit when i don’t reach my steps but am still doing other workouts. i think this would be a great option for people who don’t walk/run for their workout on a daily basis!
I take the stairs to the third floor everyday even though there are elevators! I also interchange between a stability ball and a chair while studying!
I’ve been reading up on fitness trackers too. Thanks for the info, Gina!
whenever I get coffee at work, I always take the 17flights of stairs!
I recently went from a very active job to a desk job which feels terrible in so many ways. I try to get up and walk around, stretch, or do push-ups at least once an hour. I also go for a walk or run on my lunch break. It would be nice to be able to track my activity throughout the day and motivate myself to move more. It’s too easy to let my butt just melt into my chair 🙂 thanks for the giveaway
I would love a fitness tracker! Asking for one for my birthday in June, but would love to have one sooner! 🙂
I walk to campus and back each day for class, park farther away at the store, and take the stairs!
I walk laps on lunch. Great way to keep track of things!
I’ve had a hard time getting back into it after having baby. If I saw how low my activity levels were I think I’d be motivated!!
I try to park in the furthest spot away from the building at work and I always go to the next floor up to go to the bathroom!
I have a fitbit force and would love to try the polar loop. How awesome it sinks up to a HRM.
It looks awesome. I could certainly put it to good use.
I try to park farther away at stores and try to get up and walk around during my breaks at work
I have been obsessively researching fitness bands and wasn’t sure which one I should get… my concern was the lack of heart rate monitor on them. I hadn’t heard about this one! Thanks for the review!
Awesome! The Loop looks like a great tool for every day use!
I got a standing desk at work