Polar F11 Heart Rate Monitor Review

The Polar F11 Heart Rate Monitor is a great tool to enhance the workout of any exerciser. Whether you are trying to get back in shape or you want to raise your fitness to the highest possible level, the Polar F11 will be your invaluable personal trainer. In just a few minutes, you can create an individualized workout program that will tell you how much, how hard and how long you will need to exercise to achieve the goals you set.

The F11 utilizes a program called "The Keeps U Fit - Workout Program" to help you create your own personal fitness program. You use the Polar OwnIndex to automatically determine your current fitness level. Then, the program will determine the right amount and intensity of your workouts to maximize the probability of achieving your fitness goals.

As you are working out, the F11 counts the calories and fat that you are burning. One of the most amazing features is the Polar OwnZone which will automatically determine your target heart rate zone for each workout based upon how rested your body is.

To start monitoring your workouts all you do is put on the watch and the chest strap that is equipped with sensors and a transmitter. The sensors automatically pick up your heartbeat and the transmitter sends a coded, wireless signal to your watch. The coded signal eliminates the interference from other heart rate monitors.

As you exercise, the F11 watch keeps a log of each of your workouts - storing your exercise time in each target heart zone and calories burned for each individual workout. If you have a microphone on your computer you can download software and use the SonicLink to upload, store and analyze the data to a special website - polarpersonaltrainer.com

The suggested retail price for the F11 is $169.95. However, I have found the actual price to be between $140-$150. If you are willing to do some shopping and be patient, you may find a better deal from an individual seller. I bought the "Chili Red" model about three weeks ago (September 2006) when I found a seller offering it for $105. I am now into my third week of using it.

My primary objective is to get in shape and lose some weight. One thing I learned right away is that most of the workouts I have been doing are too strenuous. I play soccer several times a week and have had knee problems for years. The Polar F11 has caused me to realize that I simply push myself too hard and more is not always better.

Since I discovered this, I have scaled back my workout routines and now do shorter, less strenuous workouts about 4-5 times a week. As a result, I am experiencing less knee pain, recovery time is faster and I also found out that I am burning a higher percentage of fat calories. This means that I am now more efficiently reducing my weight.

I have a friend who has an older version Polar Heart Rate Monitor and it is much bigger than the F11. His model also does not have the coded transmitter so when we are playing soccer together, he can actually get "interference" from my monitor. The F11 is sleek and fits nicely to my wrist. It has become my everyday watch. I have performed the OwnIndex test several times already. The OwnIndex is basically a measure of your overall fitness. Even though I have only been using the F11 for three weeks, I have already raised my fitness level from "Fair" to "Moderate".

If you are going to download the Polar WebLink software so you can send the data to their website, here is one tip: When you are ready to send the data, take the watch off and place it directly in front of your microphone. Also, if you have speakers, turn them all the way down or off. Click on the "Listen" button and then push the button on your watch to send the data. I have found that this method works best in sending the data without any problems.

If you want to learn more about the Polar F11, take a few moments to check out this video demonstration. If any of you have any thoughts, comments or would like to write your own review of the F11, please share them with us and the other visitors. Simply click on the "Comments" link below.

Selected Polar F11 Heart Rate Monitor watches Available For Sale

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