Polar FS2 Heart Rate Monitor Watch (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I was originally hesitant to purchase any heart rate monitor because I wasn't sure if the basic feature of monitoring would work well.
I couldn't decide on a brand until I read the other HR watch reviews and discovered that Polar is one of the leading brands.
This watch is very simple. It's got 1 button! I bought this FS1 watch because I just wanted something to help focus my gym workouts. I wanted a few other features but didn't want to pay the 2x or greater pricing for it.
Pros:
- The single button on the watch is easy to get used to. Easy to start when you exercise
- Heart rate works well and reliably when the chest strap is well moistened. Good when you're already sweating.
- In the gym, there's a "Polar Heartrate Ready" logos on LifeFitness machines and some other machines (I'm a member at 24hr fitness). That indicates that it automatically reads the chest strap. So you don't even need to wear the watch!
Cons:
- When enabling the heartrate monitor (called "EXE or exercise mode on the watch), the HR feedback is autodetected, so the user can't do anything to test if it works. You just watch and wait. This could possibly be true about the other high end Polar watches, but this is a small usability thing that I don't like.
- The chest strap isn't uniquely coded so it can crosstalk. I haven't had the problem at the gym since I haven't been working out right beside anyone who's wearing a HR monitor. However, the HR meter on the adjacent gym machine will be funky when someone's using it =-P.
- No backlight. I refused to spend more money on a HR watch. But then, why does the backlight feature cost an extra $20. Shame on you Polar.
- There's no MIN and MAX feature. Why not, this watch is a computer and we've had calculator watches for 20 year? Why does polar sell 10 different watches for different sports? Polar needs to simplify their product line and offer better price for product.
- 2 year battery life. Another reason not to spend any more for a HR watch.
Hope that helps all the new buyers out there.

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In order to reach your fitness goals, you need to exercise at the right intensity. The stylish Polar FS2 heart rate monitor (HRM) helps you to easily and accurately measure your heart rate to help you get to just the right intensity or your exertion level. This basic HRM features added stopwatch and time-of-day watch features, extra-large digits for easy readability, and one-button functionality. It provides a visual and audible alarm when you reach your target heart rate zone. It provides information on total exercise time and average heart rate during total exercise time, as well as maximum heart rate of total exercise. It will also record the exercise date. It's water resistant to 50 meters and has a convenient backlight.
Display features (in beats per minute, or bmp):
EKG accurate heart rate
Manual target zone

About Polar The first EKG accurate wireless heart rate monitor was invented by Polar back in 1977 as a training tool for the Finnish National Cross Country Ski Team. The concept of "intensity training" by heart rate swept the athletic world in the eighties. By the 1990s, individuals were looking to heart rate monitors not only for performance training needs, but also for achieving everyday fitness goals. Today, the same concept of heart rate training is being used by world-class athletes as well as everyday people trying to lose weight. Polar is the leading brand among consumers, coaches, and personal trainers worldwide and the company is committed to not only producing the best products, but also being the leading educator on the benefits of heart rate based exercise.

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Omron HR-100C Heart Rate Monitor Review

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(More customer reviews)Being a person who hasn't ever joined a gym, I never knew stuff like this existed. I was very interested in this item because I've been walking for exercise but wasn't really sure I was reaching my target heart rate consistently.
The monitor, which displays the time as well as your heart rate on a watch, works in conjuction with a gizmo that you strap around yourself, just under your chest. (I will tell you, since I was concerned about this, that it's hardly noticeable once it's in place...it's a 12" or so long piece of plastic with an adjustable elastic strap...not very bulky at all!) The monitor also features a stopwatch and an alarm, so that after you set your minimum & maximum desired heart rates, you can be alerted when you are out of range. The alarm is a "beep-beep" that I can hear over the book on tape I drag along with me. Your heart rate is updated every second or two so you will always know if you need to pick up the pace a bit.
Although I have not yet had to do so, the chest strap has a removable backing, and you apparently can change the battery yourself (this is a big deal, I guess, since some of the more expensive monitors require that you send them to the factory for a battery change). The elastic strap is also completely removable, which makes it very easy to wash (and you will need to if you're exercising!).
The monitor comes packaged in a small, zippered carrying case, and includes an attachment that allows you to place it on a bicycle handlebar.
This does everything I need it to, and I recommend it for anyone who is just getting started in an exercise program.

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The Omron HR-100C Heart Rate Monitor is easy to program and a cinch to wear with a ventilated watch band. Knowing your heart rate is important because if you're working out too hard, your activity can actually become counter productive and strain or damage muscles.To achieve an effective workout, no matter what the aerobic activity, you must maintain your heart rate at a proper level for a minimum of 20 minutes. In general, the proper level falls between 65 percent-85 percent of your maximum heart rate. To ensure you don't drop above or below your proper level, the HR-100C is built with an alarm option that indicates low and high heart rates.
Omron includes a chest transmitter belt with the wristwatch-style monitor. This transmitter sends data to the receiver on your wrist at a distance up to 98 feet (30 meters). The HR-100C is built with a backlight function for exercising after nightfall, and it also displays time of day and a daily reminder alarm feature. Also included is a mounting bracket that makes it easy to attach the watch receiver to most treadmills and bicycles and a soft, zippered storage case.
What's in the Box HR-100C hear rate monitor, chest transmitter, mounting bracket, and zippered storage case.

Q&A - Fitness Monitors What is the Bioelectrical Impedance Method? Bioelectrical Impedance (BI) is considered one of the most accurate and accessible methods of screening body fat. Muscles, blood vessels and bones are body tissues having a high water content that conduct electricity easily. Body fat is tissue that has little electric conductivity. The monitor sends an extremely weak electrical current through your body to determine the amount of fat tissue. Theweakelectrical current is not felt while operating the Body Fat Analyzer. The monitoris calculated by a formula thatincludes five factors; electric resistance,height,weight,ageandgender. What is visceral fat? Visceral fat is located around the organs. Too much visceral fat is thought to be closely linked to increased level of fat in the bloodstream, which can lead to common conditions such as high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease and diabetes. Sedentary life style causes excess visceral fat, and exercise can reduce it quicker than subcutaneous fat (fat located under skin). What is resting metabolism? Resting metabolism is the energy to maintain vital functions and it counts 60 to 70% of total energy consumption. Knowing your resting metabolism can help your dietplan. If you can increase daily activity while keeping food intake at resting metabolism level, you can lose weight. What is skeletal muscle? Skeletal muscle is muscle attached to the bones that is used to move the body. If you do weight loss without exercise, you may lose skeletal muscle. Skeletal muscle is important to maintain your resting metabolism as well as your functionality. Monitoring skeletal muscle during weight loss is key to avoid weight rebound in the future.

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