Part Two
I don't know about you, but I hate exercising, sweating like a pig and feeling sore the next day but not really knowing what the actual results are. I wanted to know how many calories I was burning and my heart rate to make sure I'm making the most of my exercise. For me, I need my heart's beats per minute to be 140-160 to be in optimal condition while exercising.So I went to a sporting goods store to have a look at what options are available. I landed up going with the Polar FT4. And I must say it's a great gym watch! I loved how easy it was to use and how accurate it was. If you are interested in a gym watch then I recommend that one.
I sold it on Gumtree to a very nice lady for two reasons. Firstly, you can't upload the workouts to the computer and secondly not all the exercise I do is in the gym. The FT4 will read your heart rate and tell you the calories etc but because you can't add other devices to it, it doesn't know whether your swimming (up to 30 metres) biking or running.
I wanted to upload the workouts to the pc because now Discovery Vitality gives you points for monitored exercises outside the gym (Polar, Nike+ etc), and bonus points for the level you exercise at the gym. So say you go to gym, 175 points, work out for more than 30 minutes at a good pace, extra 50 odd points for free! :)
The advantage of uploading your workouts is also the ability to see a visual representation of your workouts for the week, the month or even the year. I like to see that last month I couldn't cycle for more than 5 Ks and today I hit 10 in 20 minutes. Progress! Real progress that I can actually see. This is exactly what I need to keep me motivated :)
So with the RCX3 that I bought to replace the FT4, you can add other devices to increase the information the watch can give you. You can get a datalink to upload workouts to the pc (not included, rage face!!!).
The bicycle attachments can tell you your speed with the speed sensor, the cadence with that sensor, you can get a GPS for it and a stride sensor for runners.
In up coming posts I'll explain why I'm more interested in the cycling accessories for now.
Polar's products work, have a high build quality and are reliable but they are a little pricy so maybe have a look for second hand ones if you're a little cash strapped.
Using the product is very easy. You connect the monitor to the strap and place that under your breasts (or mid-chest if you're a man ;)) wet the strap a little behind on the plastic part and ta-da. You wet it so that it can conduct on your skin better and pick up your heart rate. You select begin and off you go. Stop it when you're done exercising and it'll give you the low down on your work out.
NOTE! I didn't know this but you have to unclip the monitor from the strap when you're done, otherwise it continues using the battery even when not it use. So a battery that should have lasted a year, lasted a month. You're welcome for the R10 saving tip :)
When you get the watch you'll give it all your information, heart rate zones, height, weight, sex blah blah. The watch will beep at you if you go over or under your heart rate zones while you're working out. I turned the sound off because I found it annoying but it is a great motivator.
I think this is a great watch and recommend this and the FT4 to anyone who is trying to become more fit. There are other options available but do your research to make sure it's going to help you achieve what you want to.
The next post will be part three of my series on exercise and health.
If you have any questions, comments or whatevs.. post them below.
Live long and prosper!
