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Polar Heart Rate Monitor Tutorial

Polar Heart Rate Monitor Tutorial

Lisa Eirene

About Lisa Eirene Lisa lost 110 pounds through calorie counting and exercise. She swims, bikes, runs, hikes and is enjoying life in Portland, Oregon. Her weight loss story has been featured in First Magazine, Yahoo Health, Woman's Day and Glamour.com.

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11 Comments

  1. Lisa

    I have a heart rate monitor but I have not found a place that is radio-free and wireless internet-free, with a clock nearby to do the set up portion.
    Do you have any problems with other wireless devices interfering with your HRM?

    1. Lisa Eirene

      No, I’ve never had that issue. But sometimes if Michael and I are both using our HRM and we’re standing too close to each other they will act wonky. Either he’ll pick up my heart rate, or it will combine our heart rates!

  2. Leah @ L4L

    I have the same HRM and like it. When the battery is getting low or if I don’t have the chest strap tight enough, it has a hard time picking up my heart rate.

    Be wary -> the calories it calculates for strength training aren’t as accurate as they are for cardio. Depending on what you are doing, your heart rate will change but due to blood pressure differences and not cardiac exertion. For example, you lift weights (or even just your arms, no weights) over your head, your heart rate will spike but that doesn’t translate to an increased burn but the HRM reads it as that. I think that the HRM is the best estimate we can get but still not necessarily super accurate.

    1. Lisa Eirene

      That’s interesting! Where did you hear that information? I’m happy to see calories burned during weight training because in the past I always disregarded weight lifting because it wasn’t cardio and I couldn’t “track” it. But in reality even if the HRM over-calculates when I lift weights I’m burning more fat by lifting so I am a-okay with that.

      My battery is low and I’ve been reluctant to change it because I read it won’t be waterproof anymore (and I wear it swimming).

  3. Shrinkella

    For Lynne who was worried if the HRM would fit her, I bought one on Amazon about a month ago, also a Polar. It was a women’s model and came with a large strap. I weigh 267 and had no problem with the strap fitting at all. It is completely comfortable. You will forget you are ever wearing it. I completely agree with Lisa about how great an HRM is to have. It really helps you to push yourself if you’re not in your range and slow down if you’re going too hard. I also love seeing how many calories I burn doing everyday things like washing dishes or doing yardwork. You will be surprised!

    1. Lisa Eirene

      Thanks for the advice for Lynne! Great info to have. And yep, the HRM makes me push myself harder. 🙂

  4. Jess

    I want one! But I also want a holiday. Holiday wins. Maybe santa will bring me one for christmas this year?

    1. Lisa Eirene

      Mine was around $100. Very affordable compared to a Garmin!

  5. DefineDiana

    I have a polar FT7. I haven’t messed around with all the cool little features though. I guess I am going to have to do that! However, I do love what I use of it now.

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