Polar FT4 Heart Rate Monitor Review

Earlier in my weight loss journey I set my sights on a Polar FT4 Heart Rate Monitor but I wasn't sure if it was worth the $89.99 price tag. So, I sat on the decision for a couple of months trying to figure out if  (when) I purchased it, would I use it until it wore out or would I purchase it, use it a couple of times and then leave it sitting on my dresser.

In the meantime I went ahead a purchased a cheaper heart rate monitor on clearance from Target to "test the waters", I knew if I enjoyed using a cheaper heart rate monitor I would love using one that came with a price tag worth double checking.

This Saturday, I purchased my Polar FT4 Heart Rate Monitor and I am absolutely in love with it. I purchased the pink/purple monitor (I loved the gray one but for some reason I thought because it had a man on the packaging, it was meant for a man - now that I think about it, I can't believe I actually asked that question out loud to my mom in the store) and couldn't be happier. It's a great color that makes you happy when you wear it and it actually makes me want to workout.

I have only used the Polar FT4 for 5 days so far, but I am impressed. Some of the things I like so far:

• Both the monitor and the chest strap are comfortable enough to wear all day even if you aren't working out. Another bonus is that you can wear the strap without the Polar sensor (it snaps off).
• You wet the sensors on the strap by running them under water. My previous HRM required saliva or some gel to activate the sensors.
• The HRM syncs with machines at the gym. I am not sure if it technically considered syncing but while working out today, my heart rate displayed on the machine and on the Polar FT4 were the exact same.
• Your workouts are stored.
• The batteries are replaceable.

The only con I have so far is that the model I purchased doesn't tell you the percentage of fat you are burning, but I can definitely live without that.

Using the Polar FT4 over the course of 5 days has made me realize that I shouldn't have waited so long to purchase it. It has helped me get more out of my workouts by giving me accurate heart beats per minute, along with what I believe are accurate calories burned. You definitely get what you pay for, and I have gotten my $89.99 plus tax (and warranty) out of this product.

Below are pictures of the monitor, which if you haven't guessed by now, you should go out and purchase because it is one of the best ways to spend $89.99 while on a weight loss journey.

New Balance N4 Product Review

This past Saturday, I went shopping with one specific purchase in mind; a heart rate monitor. I had my sights set on the New Balance N4 at Target since I noticed they were reasonably priced at $69.99 (I know what you are thinking, that's not reasonably priced, especially since I could get a Polar FT4 for practically the same price, but for me it was, especially since they go on sale at Target).

A couple weeks ago I was in Target and they had marked the N4s down between $33.99 and $36.99. Again, this price was remarkable (better than the original) because you were getting a product at almost half price and it was coming from a brand that does a lot with sports equipment.

But, I waited to see if it was going to go any lower (I stood on the aisle for about 15 minutes just looking at them and trying to figure out if I should buy one, I knew I should have, but I didn't). The next week I went into target the N4s were marked down to $20.98. Again, I knew I should have purchased it then because I would not see that product at that price again and I was right.

This weekend I went into Target (I go every weekend in case you were wondering by now) and there were no N4s left on the shelf in either sports equipment or electronics (you know how things travel, you pick it up and want it, then decide you don't and put it back at the nearest location). I left that Target and went to another Target, still no N4s, but I found a Gaiam HRM for about $9.00. I looked at the review online and as always you had a mixture of both negative and positive, more negative though. I still purchased it because for $9.00 even if I only used it once, it wasn't going to be the end of the world.

I tried one last Target on my way home and couldn't find any marked down N4s in the sporting goods section, so I decided to venture to the electronics section to see if they had any phone cases (I know, that has nothing to do with a HRM) and it is a good thing that I did. There on the shelf was one last New Balance N4 Heart Rate Monitor and I grabbed it, went to the front, returned the Gaiam and purchased that one.

2 days have passed and I am still impressed (and learning) with this HRM. I have read countless negative reviews on sites like Amazon, the majority of which seem to be targeted at the fact that the watch doesn't do what the individual intends for it to do or the watch was sent to them from Amazon with missing parts, used or missing instructions. None of which I see as reasons that you should write a negative review about a product. But, this is where I will give my review of the product in later weeks.

The HRM doubles as a watch and fits comfortably on your wrist. The band, you wear it right under your bust, is elastic and feels like you are wearing nothing at all. Overall, I haven't had it but for 2 days and my initial rating is that I give it a 4 out of 5 (only because I had to set everything back to default for it to get an accurate reading).

It fits my needs, looks nice (I wish I could have found it in a different color), is comfortable and was very reasonably priced.

Stay tuned for a more updated review in weeks to come. Below are pictures of the product (minus the band). Check back for a more detailed review.