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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Got someone the jawbone for Xmas but I would love a fitness tracker of my own!
I try to take walk breaks at work and go to the farthest away bathroom and drinking fountain–which is also up a set of stairs! But I know I need more activity!
I take the stairs to my 11th floor office every morning, and I always walk to the Starbucks that is 6 blocks away instead of the one on my corner (though the cute cashier who works there is secondary motivation).
I really need to be walking the dog every night. With it getting dark earlier I’ve been slack. Would love to track my activities during the day.
Im a therapist so my job requires that I am always on the go!
I have been gathering tips and trying to apply them, right now I squeeze in while waiting (in private of course, not at the bank) when waiting for the microwave – 20 squats, on the phone 20 lunges…..
I’d love to win one of these!
I always try to take the stairs instead of the elevator, especially during my daily routine. It may not seem like much, but I feel better knowing I’m doing something a little better for my health!
love that it syncs to an HR monitor, an important feature that the other bands lack
I admit I’ve been slacking this winter…in the summer I do park further away and take short walks to break up the work day (I work from home). I’ve been thinking about taking the plunge on a device like this, maybe seeing just how inactive I am would boost my motivation!
I park down the street from my office and building. And, lately, the sidewalk hasn’t been shoveled very well, so I feel like a get a mini balance workout try to navigate.
That looks really neat! Id love to win one to help me keep on track!
I always take the stairs to my office!
I take the stairs….even though I never want to! Every little bit helps!
I put all my little guys diapers and clothes in his room up stairs so we have to go up and down them multiple times a day!
I walk whenever I can and am sure to get up and stretch/walk around during the day so I’m not sitting all the time!
I always take the stairs at work!
I get active by walking my daughter home from school on Mondays instead of driving even though it’s easier to drive. I would do it everyday however I have to pick up my son at another school on the other days so I can’t timewise.
I try to walk my dog during my lunch breaks. I’d like to think it’s primarily for exercise but sometimes it’s just because she puts a smile on my face 🙂
I work nightshift at a hospital so when I’m waiting for call bells I’ll walk the halls 🙂
I use the ladies room on the second floor of our office. I also walk laps in the break room while heating my lunch. At the grocery store I park at the farthest spot in the lot.
I have been looking for a tracker and this would be the best cause it’s free!
I am so excited about this giveaway! I would love to have this! Thanks for posting!
I’ve been trying to work on increasing my heart rate and this would be awesome.
Would love a way to track my steps and heart rate. I work in retail, so I walk around a lot. Always curious just how much.
i do jumping jacks while cooking/waiting for food to warm up in the microwave
Wall sits, lunges, and squats anytime I’m on the phone!
I take a half hour walk after eating my lunch!
I would love to win this! My heart rate monitor broke years ago and I never replaced it – and this one looks so much better.
Laps around the office to get a mile of walking in every day at lunch!
Great review! I’ve been interested in the Loop since I’m sometimes a little doubtful of the accuracy of the step count with my current counter
Great review! I’ve been interested in the Loop since I’m sometimes a little doubtful of the accuracy of the step count with my current counter
I take the stairs at work and chase my kiddo around or have spontaneous dance parties in the evening.
Even though I work on the 7th floor, I never take the elevators and use the stairs 🙂
Always trying to reach those 10,000 steps a day!
It differs everyday depending on the activities for the day. Parking further away, walking our Great Dane, playing outside, running, etc! 😉
I have been sitting a lot at work during the day, so I try to take a walk during my lunch hour. I never use the the elevator in our apartment building either. Just the stairs for me!
i have dance parties everyday with my toddler, and i do try to park farther away at work (bonus- parking further away actually gets me out of the parking lot faster after work :))
I try to get up from my desk often and walk to the bathroom on the other floor at work.
I awl and talk to co-workers instead of sending an email or calling their office. Gets me a few extra steps and smiles during the day!
Well, I work at a vegan cafe while I finish up my dissertation, so I’m running around on my feet all day long! I also walk the 3 miles round trip to and from the cafe 4 days a week. Then my gym is right across the street! On my days off I’ve converted a bookshelf into a makeshift standing desk!
Looks awesome!
As someone who has NEVER used a HRM, but does a ton of HIIT and Tabata, this seems like a beneficial piece of fitness tech! I love my FitBit — I always push myself to move around more when I have it on…but since it doesn’t track the stair master or stationery bike as “steps” or really a work out, it gets frustrating some days!
I’m going to ask for a fitness tracker of some sort for my birthday!
I have joined a gym with a coworker so we keep eachother accountable. We also take the stairs instead of the elevator now!
I was just thinking that I need something to track my heart rate, as it will hold me accountable during workouts (catch me slacking!)! I try to get a little extra exercise by walking to the gym, to work, and during my lunch break. Needless to say, this definitely suffers in the winter….10 degrees out? I’ll stay inside, thank you! : )
I try to make a point to move once per hour each day at the office – even if it’s just to fill up my wart bottle 🙂
While I’m study I make sure to take breaks and get up to walk around a little bit.
I walk as much as possible and take the stairs at work. I workout on my lunch whenever I can as well. This winter has been particularly brutal for southwestern Ontario, so walks and any outdoor activity has been quite lacking the last few months. A tracker would be awesome to see howany or how little steps I really am taking!
I try to walk as much as I can. Parking farther away, daily toddler walks when wether permits!