A heart rate monitor may not seem like a "must" for your exercise regime, but believe me, it is. I recently got my hands on a Polar FT7 heart rate monitor to try and help me push myself further in my exercise excursions, and boy, it worked.
Getting the most out of your training doesn’t always mean working faster or harder, and Polar proved this. The best way to improve fitness and see results is to train at the perfect heart rate for yourself, and the Polar FT7 helps you do just that. It comes with a training computer built in, which means inputting your data is easy, and the watch will indicate when you’re at the right intensity for your desired result: fitness, fat burning or endurance building.
Polar calls it "a stylish introduction to heart rate based training” and I will definitely second that. My HRM came in red and black, although other colours were available and I will happily say that I would use it as a functioning everyday watch, too. Slightly chunky, but very comfortable.
The HRM was surprisingly easy to use, and with the help of a chest strap it gets a correct reading every time. Even a novice like me could work it out, and I saw an improvement in my training within days. Stamina has improved and it was a great way to motivate– by competing with myself.
And if you're trying to lose weight, the HRM monitor lets you know how many calories you have burnt so far, without guesswork, allowing for those who use diet apps, or diaries to correctly log their day. (Which makes treating yourself a little less guilt-ridden – you worked it off, right?)
The FT7 will be available in black with either silver or gold and the FT4 model is available in silver and black or bronze. All sets include a WearLink textile transmitter, and a quick guide. Polar FlowLink can be purchased separately as an accessory for the FT7.
The Polar FT7 heart rate monitor sells for around £93.50 and can be purchased on the Polar website.