Customer Reviews

Polar FT40 Women's Heart Rate Monitor Watch (Green)

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This heart rate monitor is definitely worth the extra over the cheaper versions. My husband has the Polar F6 and we both agree that this is worth the extra $50. It's has enhanced my running and strength training more that I thought it would. The alarms are very useful, and I love the fitness test and that it tracks my training. The chest strap is high quality and comfortable, and the wrist unit is also comfortable and attractive. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that the green band looks a little cheaper in person than it does in the picture. The design isn't as evident as I expected. Otherwise it is perfect for my training. I love it!

Overall, I think this is a good, QUALITY product!

It does what it says it will do--WELL! No surprises! I was looking for a waterproof watch that was customizable to view how many calories I was burning (for fat loss purposes) and an attractive watch that I could wear everyday to work (I work in a casual environment--this wouldn't be suitable for a banking job as the watch is a sport watch--bigger than a jewellery watch). I reviewed several other brands and the Polar website of all other products--I decided on Polar because of other people's positive experiences and the brand quality. Another major feature that I considered was the watch being able to calculate calories for non-cardio activities (strength training), but I decided against that (mostly because those watches were designed for men and they were not in my price range, but also because I read that it isn't really necessary?). The watch isn't so "bright lime green" in real life (it looks SLIGHTLY less impressive in real life than it does on the website) , also the watch strap seems to get a little dirty with normal use. I did receive several compliments about the watch when it was new.

I paid about $175 CDN and shipping was expensive, but it was shipped fairly fast (about 7 days from the US to Canada). Unfortunately, amazon.ca doesn't carry Polar! Pricing seemed comparable everywhere I looked (minus shipping). The movie listed on this review page was the final convincing factor for me buying this watch. I found the Polar website a little too technical when deciding (I would be fine now). I wish it had a questionnaire that would help guide you as to which product is best rather than having to compare them all yourself!!! I was also considering buying several other Polar watches--the final debate was between this watch and the FT60 (I had to put a price range in it, and considering that I was only a mild-moderate active person, I didn't want to go all out--probably next time). I ended up buying this watch because I couldn't (at that time justify spending another $60 US. :( I kind of think that may have been a better watch for me as it allows for cross training which is good for me as I am trying to lose fat, and am trying to vary my activity (the FT60 says it sets up the program for you--although I wasn't sure if that was what I wanted/wasn't sure if that was customizable.)

I am fairly happy with this watch as it does what is most important: it's reliable, sturdy, it counts calories, it allows for the user to take a 5 minute test (lay on the ground--it will monitor your heart rate), it will allow the user to always customize their user info so that the stats should be accurate (including height, weight, gender, dob, activity level). While wearing the chest strap, this watch will tell you your heart rate, monitor your maximum heart rate zone for you during activity (which you can manually enter your maximums yourself or let it choose it for you), put in your VO2 index (which, from reading, I realized is a quality feature!), keep data records of how many minutes of activity you did, what your heart rate was at, and how many calories you burned (most importantly!)

I have compared my watch to the cardio machines at the gym and this watch definitely seems a lot more accurate (others over-estimate!) I also used this watch while downhill skiing--it does overestimate the calories burned on downhill skiing (I believe), because you are not always relying on your body to get you down the mountain, which can skew the results. If you are scared, your heart might go up a bit, and skew the results a little (in my opinion, and not that I would know this from experience! LOL!)

Other things that are good about this watch are the alarm--it has a custom alarm (daily, weekdays, once, off) with snooze. It features military time (including seconds) which I use at work. It features a 5-second teal back light (button that you press) that is very helpful for reading the data in the dark! The watch data is also apparently downloadable to the Polar website via wifi, but I have not tried doing this. The green watch band has turned slightly dirty shade of green from normal use (doesn't seem to wash off well from shower). My dog unfortunately scratched the screen REALLY BAD when I was holding her (moderately easy to scratch plastic). :( However, the watch quality I would say is very good with normal use - no breakages or tears, etc.!

I did lose 20 lbs. this last year while using this watch; however, I don't use the calorie features as much anymore--the main reason is because I tire of/forget to wear the chest strap (and you have to put water on it first to activate it, which is a little bit cold to press against your skin! Be careful not to lose the transmitter on the chest strap--it snaps off.

The FT40 really motivated me--especially for the first 3 months, it got me out and active a lot more. I recommend this watch as it provides a whole lot of helpful features, it is EASY to use and it has motivated me; however, if you are considering a higher level Polar watch I would say, go for it! I think I would have been a little happier with the Polar FT60 even though it would have been $70 USD more. This watch is an investment and if you think you will use the other features (and it keeps you motivated), then it is definitely worth it even if it kills your bank account. This watch's expectancy (I would say) should be 5+ years (maybe up to 10). The only con to this product (besides the somewhat easily scratched screen) is the price, but you get what you pay for here!

This is a good adjunct if you are prone to overtraining. If you are doing cardio to lose fat, the energy bar provides a visual cue to keep you from pushing too hard and breaking down muscle for that particular cardio workout based on how well rested you are. Of course we are relying in Polar's secret formula regarding heart rate variability to do this; but this seems to correlate well with other markers of overtraining to include HR recovery and change in morning resting heart rate. Using it with the flowlink is a great way to keep track of calories burned as well as to troubleshoot any lack of progress.

Regarding looks, it's no uglier than a generic timex, but looks better and calls less attention than the 1st generation polars. Not too crazy about the unisex green detailing. The lack of looks costs it one star. I covered the face with a screen protector, as deep scratches from training had been a problem with my previous heart rate monitors, and this seems to work well.

Regarding the chronograph function, I didn't like how the face setting with "time only" does not have seconds. This made it unusable in my line or work where I need to measure things in beats per minute. In order to display seconds, you have to also display the "polar FT40" graphic, which cuts the font size of the watch from an 18, down to about a 10 to fit everything on the screen. Not a deal breaker, just annoying.

I would recommend this for strength and power athletes who have a tendency to lose muscle while trying to lose fat due to overtraining. If overtraining is not a problem, you don't need to shell out the extra cash for the polar energy bar.

Th FT40 accurately monitors your heart rate, as advertised. A pity the monitor technology hasn't progressed appreciably since its introduction; you still have to cinch up an uncomfortable chest strap, which indignity is magnified by having to dunk it in water first: pretty chilly on a winter morning.

Pros: can be used as everyday sporty watch; water-resistant; fairly straightforward user interface; keeps track of workout data; beeps when you hit your max heart rate; has backlight; has alarm; when in heart-rate display mode, you can bump your chest-band with the watch and it will display the time for a few seconds (a feature I use surprisingly often); chest-band transmitter displays on my Precor EFX546 elliptical (although the Precor and the wrist watch often differ by as much as 10 BPM).

Cons: thick band keeper leaves dent in wrist; actual color is a dirty wasabi green (not the sassy lime green pictured); watch face is cheap plastic and scratches easily; embossed flower-power decoration on band and watch face is cheesy; claims that the unit can "analyse your current physical and mental condition" seem both lofty and dubious.

I urge novices who plan to use the FT40's advanced features to do some research on the physiology of fitness training, so you will know what this monitor is actually measuring, such as what percentage of your maximum heart rate is safe, or what it really means when it says you are in the "fat-burning" as opposed to "fitness" zones. Used in conjunction with a little book-learnin', this monitor can definitely help optimize a training program.

As an aside, I took the FT40's so-called fitness test twice, and both times the unit put me in the "elite" category. I question the accuracy of this flattering assessment, since I've only been working out for 2 weeks following an extended lay-off for cancer treatment, I get out of breath walking my dogs up a gentle slope, and I've been a smoker for 30 years.

I am new to heart rate monitors and fitness gadgets, but this nifty watch and strap do everything I want them to. Mostly I just wanted to be able to get on the treadmill and not hold onto the heart rate handles. But the watch also records data for all of my workouts, with avg and max heart rate, calories, amt of time that was fat burn vs cardio, and also % fat burn.

It also earned me some brownie points with my trainer. ;-) He likes to see how many calories I have burned in his workouts.

The only thing I wish it did was show both heart rate and calories on the same screen. It's easy to switch screens, but just would be more effective if they were both on the same one. The strap gets a little tight and itchy after I have worked out for awhile, but I can live with that.

This watch has been a great motivating tool for losing weight. First, it's more satisfying to track my workouts with the definite number of calories burned instead of just guessing. Second, it keeps me realistic and that keeps me sticking to my diet better (Before, I tended to fall into the logic trap that a little bit of exercise would balance out that dessert). Third, it helps me adjust my workout to stay in a good zone of exertion - not too hard and not too easy.
The watch is very easy to use (and I'm not patient with technology). The chest band is comfortable; I don't hardly notice it.

Large LED with great backlight and audible alerts. Very user friendly with step-by-step on screen programming. Numerical and graphical information available about previous workout statistics.

Very comfortable to wear, both the watch and the chest strap.

The watch is solidly constructed with large buttons and a wrist band perforated the entire length. This watch will truly fit 99.9% of the population. I'm a big guy and there is plenty of room to spare.

I would not wear this watch to work or in public. The design is not casual or dressy...it is encased in rubber/pvc throughout. It's made to exercise with; not for flash!

The newly designed chest strap is great! Easy to wear, easy to clean and it's soft! The electronic wearlink monitor "snaps" into the wearlink belt with a breeze. I have the older model transmitter and the new one is smaller and more comfortable.

This system is great for beginners. Easy to use, comfortable and enough information displayed to get you through your workouts on a daily basis.

I would not hesitate to buy this unit again if I broke it or it was lost.

Good luck and happy shopping!

-PD

I absolutely love my Polar FT40. Very easy to set up and use, comfortable, and extremely helpful. I highly recommend it - plus, when the battery dies (battery life of approx 1 year), you won't have to send it in to the manufacturer to have it replaced. This is one of a few models that contains a battery that the user can replace. Score!

Polar FT40 Men's Heart Rate Monitor Watch (Grey)
Basic setting is easy to perform. Wrist unit and menu are clear and easy to manipulate. Burn fat and fitness zones are great features in this watch; easy to see and understand what your body and heart are doing during training. Needles to say that training functions (heart calories, time, fat burn and fitness) are easy to see and follow.

Another outstanding feature is the review of training data and transfer of these data to the website which helps the individual to have his record and to plot a graph.

A salient feature is the Polar fitness test, which is able to show the progress of your physical fitness after few days or weeks of training.

As a watch, it can used 24 hours with most of the features of other watches, in addition to being a sport watch, which can be used even for diving.

The only drawback in that watch is its strap which is thick and difficult to close and difficult to open
J M Bareeq

I bought this in March 2010. At first, it was great. But...here it is November, and it has been one problem after another. I was getting erratic readings...zero, then 205...then the message "check transmitter." So I changed the battery on the transmitter. Nothing. So I got a new transmitter, having read reviews that said after changing the battery the transmitter may still not work. Still nothing. It must be the receiving circuit in the watch because the time and data settings are fine.

I had been frustrated by the "intelligent" design even before the thing died. I can't find a way to program my own zones...the watch does it for you..and based on my own numbers (min 47, max 174) and Karvonen, my zones are very different from what the watch calculates. For instance, my 85-90% range is 154-161. But whatever formula the watch uses has it beeping that I am exceeding my safe zone well below that level...by artificially increasing my max over what it really is, I had managed to get it to not beep until 158, which is at least in the right range for some training days. I like the tonal signals to help me as i run, but I can't figure out how to adapt the watch to get it to signal my desired zones, not the ones it wants to calculate for me. Have to turn off all the audible signals when I want to do intervals, but when I am pushing that hard is when it would be nice to know when I have gotten my hr up high enough without having to look at the watch face.

So rather than pay to get it fixed, I'll look for a new one cause I do find it helpful...almost addictive...when it works.