Polar FT4 Heart Rate Monitor Watch for Running

The Polar FT4 heart rate monitor watch for running is one of the best heart rate monitors available in the market today giving you pure value for your money spent. The Polar FT4 heart rate monitor watch for running has functionalities that would give any high-end heart rate monitor a run for its money. For the basic fitness the Polar FT4 heart rate monitor watch for running proves to be an ideal companion. For health conscious individuals who don’t need the complications of GPS and advanced software, Polar FT4 is an ideal watch for them. The Polar FT4 is not only reasonably priced it also offers more features than just recording heart rates for 10 training sessions.

Polar FT4 Heart Rate Monitor Watch for Running – Design

Unlike most heart rate monitors, the Polar FT4 heart rate monitor watch for running has been designed to cater to the needs of both the genders. The Polar FT4 has not been designed as a unisex watch instead it has two separate designs, one for the men and other that is suited for the fairer sex. Hence the Polar FT4 is available in two basic colors: black and silver.

There are a lot of heart rate monitors available in the market that look bulky and basically like a chunky, feature laden computer on your wrist. Instead the Polar FT4 heart rate monitor watch for running looks sleek and stylish. The Polar FT4 is not only available in the two basic colors of black and silver; the Polar FT4 has been recently updated to add three more colors of purple, orange and brown.

Polar FT4 Heart Rate Monitor Watch for Running – Usability

The Polar FT4 heart rate monitor watch for running is extremely easy to set up for the first and then use. The Polar FT4 can be connected to your computer with the transfer device and can be programmed and calibrated to suit your needs. The Polar FT4 heart rate monitor watch for running unlike other heart rate monitor watches does not need the user to go through a sequence of synchronized button pushing to change any settings. The menu options are extremely simple and the settings can be changed with a single button tap.

The Polar FT4 heart rate monitor watch for running is water resistant making it a multi sport watch. The Polar FT4 is water resistant up to 30 feet underwater for nearly 30 minutes. Hence you can now record your heart rate while swimming. The only drawback of the water resistant feature is that you cannot press any of the buttons on the Polar FT4 underwater as that would compromise the water resistance.

Many heart rate monitor watches come with straps that are uncomfortable and rub against your skin while running often resulting in rashes. The strap of the Polar FT4 heart rate monitor watch for running is made of flexible textile that fits your wrist and sits comfortably against your skin without rubbing or chaffing.

Polar FT4 Heart Rate Monitor Watch for Running - Features

Heart Rate Zone Training Analysis:

The heart rate training zones set in the Polar FT4 heart rate monitor watch for running depends on the maximum heart rate recorded. The Polar FT4 heart rate monitor watch for running automatically calculates the heart rate training zones for you by subtracting 220 from your age. In case you know your maximum heart rate based on a fitness test then you can also manually set the maximum heart rate. You can also set the heart rate training zones manually. The heart rate training zones hence set will be a percentage of the maximum heart rate or beats per minute (BPM).

The Polar FT4 lets you have full control over your training. While training if you happen to move out of the preset zone the Polar FT4 beeps to alert you to train harder or slow down in case the heart rate is too high.

History:

The Polar FT4 heart rate monitor watch for running has an excellent user interface unlike most heart rate monitor watches available. The up and down scroll buttons placed on the side of the watch let you scan through screens of data effortlessly. The history of each workout can be viewed individually showing details of current heart rate, number of calories burnt and total duration of training.

The history also shows the heart rate training zone and instances where you would have moved out of the set training zone.

Pause/Lock:

While training if you want to take a break you can pause the recording of data and resume recording once you start training again. The Lock feature allows you to lock the buttons on the watch while training to prevent you from inadvertently bumping into them and messing up the data.

HeartTouch Function:

The Polar FT4 heart rate monitor watch for running comes with a HeartTouch function that allows you to scroll through screens of data pertaining to details like calories burnt, total duration and current heart rate without having to touch any of the buttons on the watch. This feature proves to be extremely useful while training in the cold wearing gloves. With the HeartTouch feature engaged you can bring the watch closer to the chest unit and the time will be automatically displayed along with the backlight. This is useful while training in dark conditions.

Calorie Count:

The Polar FT4 heart rate monitor watch for running calculates the number of calories burnt per training session. The Polar FT4 uses your body weight, pace and distance to calculate the number of calories burnt. Calories burnt means weight loss hence the Polar FT4 helps in weight reduction. It also helps you plan your training sessions in accordance to the number of calories you wish to burn.

Data Analysis:

The Polar FT4 heart rate monitor watch for running stores data of up to 10 training sessions. The HeartTouch Exercise mode analyses your training data and displays the average heart rate during the training session. This mode also displays the total duration of training and instances where you would have moved out of the set training zone. You can also upload the details of your training session onto the Polar website at www.polarpersonaltrainer.com.

Polar FT4 Heart Rate Monitor Watch for Running – Summary

The only downside to the Polar FT4 heart rate monitor watch for running is the lack of GPS tracking. Otherwise the Polar FT4 has all the features of a high end heart rate monitor plus the features of a watch. The Polar FT4 has a powerful backlight with alarms and stopwatch. The Polar FT4 can also be used as a normal watch when you are not training. The Polar FT4 heart rate monitor watch for running displays text in multiple languages and you can switch between metric and British units. The Polar FT4 heart rate monitor watch for running helps you achieve maximum efficiency and workout targets while keeping the fitness training simple.