AT A GLANCE: QUICK RATINGS
Heart Rate Functions
Fitness / Sport Features
Ease of Use
Battery Life
Where To Get It
A Deep Dive Into Polar FT7
Thank you for looking at our review of the Polar FT7 Heart Rate Monitor. This has been one of the most popular HRM from Polar in the last decade due to it’s stylish looks and comprehensive list of essential training features.
The Polar FT7 was recently removed from the current Polar Fitness products line up. It’s been available for over 6 years and has proven to be a hugely popular fitness monitor.
However, times have changed and we’d now recommend either the Polar A300, Polar Loop 2 or even just a Polar H7 heart rate sensor paired with your iPhone / Android smartphone running the Polar Beat APP.
Video Review
Pros
Cons
Take the Polar FT4 and add Polar Energy Pointer with textual guidance telling you whether you are “FITNESS IMPROVING” or “FAT BURNING” – plus an improved memory holding daily and weekly summaries (similar to Polar FT40/60) plus ability to download training data to Polar personaltrainer.com website (via optional FLOWLINK). We highly RECOMMEND the Polar FT7 for the cardiovascular exerciser who wants to BOTH – keep fit and manage weight loss – with added ability of optional PC download.
For those who want to know if they’re improving their fitness or burning fat. So if you want clear training guidance and an easy start to heart rate-based training, the FT7 is for you. Polar started selling heart rate monitors in 1976. CardioCritic have tested the majority of Polar fitness trackers and Heart Rate monitors – using them since 1996
Main Features and Functions
The FT7 adds a clear indication when you are moving between low intensity fat burning to a higher intensity fitness improving. If your goal is not only to lose fat but also to get significantly fitter then the FT7 could be for you. The FT7 has another advantage over the FT4, it has the ability, via the Polar Flowlink USB port, to upload data to PolarPersonalTrainer.com
- Shows when you’re improving fitness based on your heart rate
- Shows FAT BURN versus IMPROVE FITNESS
- Displays calories burned
- Comes with comfortable textile transmitter and coded heart rate transmission to avoid cross-talk
- All self change batteries
- Upload to PolarPersonalTrainer.com
Replacement Models
From the new line up of Polar Fitness models we’d recommend the Polar A300 with activity tracking, Heart Rate (from H7 belt) and smartphone connectivity. The A300 is a combination of all the best bits from the FT7 with the addition of some of the breakthrough technology in activity tracking and data upload to Polar Flow website / App
- Polar A300
More Features
Body Measurement Features
Training Features
Recording Features
Polarpersonaltrainer.com Features
Data Transfer
Watch Features
In the box
Top Alternatives
Next Model UP
Hmmmmm…? We’d suggest a change of range… consider the new Polar A300 or M400 with built in activity tracker. This really is the way to go. Don’t just focus on your 1 hour in the gym, or 1 hour running.. consider your WHOLE DAY with an activity monitor.
Next Model DOWN
The next model down is the Polar FT4. The FT4 is similar to this model but no ENERGY POINTER and just 1 x file memory – plus no option for PC download… Alternatively, from the new range of Polar Fitness products we’d recommend pairing the Polar H7 heart rate sensor belt with your iPhone / Android device running Polar Beat APP for a comprehensive HR training solution.
REVIEW SUMMARY
It would be great if the FT7 communicated via a Bluetooth™ webservice and NOT the Polar Flowlink device. This was fine when the FT7 came out in 2010, but is is a bit dated now. For those looking for a more modern communication to the world, then maybe the new A300 / M400 could be a better option. Remember, the A300 and M400 does NOT need a USB device to download to the web, it simply uses Bluetooth™ via a Smartphone.
If you're looking for something else, check out the Polar A370 here!
