Polar FT60 REVIEW & BEST PRICE: April 2012

Polar FT60 Great workout device.
It took me a week of reading to decide which HRM watch to try. After a few days I narrowed the brand down to Polar, but then there're about 30 models from them to choose from.

My intended use: I don't run outdoors much so I don't need a GPS. I do cardio and weights in a home gym and have been writing everything down to keep track of progress, weight loss, etc.

I wasn't sure if I would use the extra bells and whistles beyond a Polar F6 but I was intrigued with the higher end models' ability to test your resting fitness, plan a workout régime, monitor your progress, record weight loss, revise the plan and repeat while recording this all to the web.

So, I narrowed it down to the F55, the FT60 and the FT80. Well, the FT80 is getting horrible reviews due to dark screen, unreliable software, and other basic `version 1' problems. The F55 seemed perfect for someone who lifts weights in their workout routine as I do so I researched further in that direction. The problem is that it only has 17 types of lifting sequences (e.g. Curl, Squat, etc.) and I agree with other reviewers that with those few, I probably wouldn't be able to take advantage of that feature (e.g. when I do a bicep workout I do about eight different types of lifting to prevent muscle memory. And, I really didn't like the way the F55 looks. A minor point but if you're spending $200 on something you wear, you at least want it to look good.

Then I started reading about the FT60 but there are very few reviews from actual users, and I always read reviews before I purchase anything these days. But it looked like it would give me what I wanted, and I like the looks much more than the F55. So I got it yesterday and used it for the first time today. I have a 42 inch chest and the band fits fine (some reviewers were saying some of these bands don't fit larger chests). In about 5 minutes I was able to enter my demographics, test my resting fitness, set a goal (maximum fitness) and begin a workout.

The screen is very easy to read, easy to change the readout while working out, and really made a difference in my ability to stay in a good cardio zone. The watch creates three zones for you (60-70%, 70-80%, 80-90% of Max Heart Rate) based on your fitness test, demographics, etc. Then it tells you how many hours per week you need to be in each of those zone to achieve your goal (maximum fitness, improve fitness or weight loss). These are all graphed on the watch so you can see where you stand for that workout or for the week. It's a great idea and really keeps you motivated to achieve your goal.

Also, if you're interested in tracking weight loss, the watch asks you weekly to enter your weight and it tracks that for you graphically as well. It also takes the weight change into account when planning your next week's workout goals.
I haven't synced it up to the web (still waiting for my usb/irda dongle) so I can't comment about the site, but I wonder if it's really needed because the watch is pretty easy to use to review your workout history. That said, I'd still like to have it on the web for historical analysis.

Bottomline, if you're new to HRMs like me and are not sure if you need all these features (the F6 is about $150 cheaper!) I would take a serious look at this watch. And, if you are in the same boat as me (cardio, weights, variable routines that change so I don't get bored) I think this watch is the best way to go.

Polar FT60 Excellent!!
I love this monitor....I like that it provides you with stats on your work outs after and during. I recommend this product to anyone.

Polar FT60 Works flawlessly with Macintosh Computer.
There is a lot of discussion at [...] about wanting polar software that works natively under Mac OSX. However, I have worked with this fantastic HRM and was able to upload all the data acquired by it to the website blindingly fast on the first try using the Flowlink interface. I am running Windows XP under bootcamp. The polarpersonaltrainer website gives you lots of ways to analyze your workouts and to understand what you need to do to improve. This should not be undervalued when looking at HRMs from the various manufacturers.

I do note that the FT60 does not record your actual heart rate as a function of time for upload but it does record a whole bunch of metrics derived from your heart rate and performance over the course of a workout that are useful for understanding and improving your performance. (Frankly, I don't know why one would want to stare at a graph showing how your heart rate varied as a function of time.) The FT80 does make an actual record of your heart rate together with these other metrics. For me, this did not really matter as the FT60 has everything I need to keep me motivated and to help me to understand my progress. You must be clear on this before deciding between the FT60 and FT80. (The FT80, as of April 15, 2009 has lots of problems and flaws from what I can tell. I wouldn't buy it - it is an extra $100 for a bunch of misery.)

What I was after is a set of metrics or some rubric that I could measure my performance against. I now understand that just looking at your body weight is not going to do it and may be quite detrimental to your progress. The FT60 gives you several great ways to keep tabs on how you are doing and also offers a weight log so you can record that to the website as well.

By the way, the picture give for this product does not do justice to it. It is a fantastic looking watch! I wear business casual most days and frequently a suit out to dinner. This fits my wardrobe perfectly! Very handsome. It would certainly go with bluejeans and a baggy sweatshirt, too.

I have already recommended this fantastic product to co-workers and other gym rats.

Polar FT60 REVIEW & BEST PRICE

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Polar FT60 REVIEWS

DD> SALE Polar FT60 Men's Heart Rate Monitor Watch

Polar FT60

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