Good product. Wife loves it. | Polar AW200 Activity Technology Watch

Great Watch | Polar AW200 Activity Technology Watch

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	• Polar AW200 Activity Technology Watch Polar Polar, 2007 average customer review:based on 3 reviews view larger image
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Use of Polar Activitry Watch with Precor Elliptical

To gain confidence in the data from the Polar Activity Watch, I compared total active steps, time in different activity levels, and kcal expended with similar data for 4 different cadences on a Precor EFX524i elliptical exercise machine.

Data was recorded from the Precor at average cadences of 120, 130, 140, and 150 strides per minute, exercising for 30 minutes at each level (different days for each level) while wearing the Polar watch. All elliptical exercise was at the same resistance and incline setting. The Polar watch divides the activity zone data into 5 levels (slow walk, walk, brisk walk, run, and fast run). At an average of 120 strides per minute, the watch credited 6 minutes in the slow walk and 24 minutes in the walk range. For 130 strides per minutes, the activity levels from the watch were up to 11 minutes at the walk level and 18 minutes at the brisk walk level. At 140 strides per minute, all 30 minutes were recorded as a fast walk. At 150 strides per minute, 24 minutes total were recorded as a run. The progression suggests that the activity levels recorded by the watch do accurately reflect the increasing level of activity on the elliptical.

I next compared the total steps recorded by the Polar Activity Watch (which is an estimated number based on the accelerometer measurements) to the total strides on the elliptical (which should be an actual count). The tabulation combined data from the four 30 minute periods of exercise at the 4 difference cadences. The total strides for the Precor was 16,145 and the Polar total was 16,382. That is only a 1% difference!

The difference was greater for the kcal count: 950 and 1054 for the Polar and the elliptical respectively, resulting in a 10% difference. Neither the Polar Activity Watch nor the Precor elliptical data is a true measurement of kcal expended. They give an approximation to be compared with future activity. Still, the numbers for the two instruments are close.

Differences were greater for some measures and less for others when the same comparisons were applied to each of the 30 minute intervals separately rather than combining data from the 4 intervals (same principal as with batting averages, the season average tells more about the player than does knowing only the number of hits in a single game). A single 30 minute (or shorter) interval could be misleading as could looking at data for only a single cadence.

It would be incorrect to assume that other Polar Activity Watch users will have the same results (although most results will probably be similar). Parts of the data are based on height, weight, age and gender which are entered into the Polar Activity Watch. Because of manufacturing tolerances, each watch manufactured will give slightly different readings. Each user of the watch can do calculations similar to what was done here in order to appreciate how their watch compares with their favorite elliptical or treadmill. Just remember this data is with a natural arm swing (not holding on to safety railing and not using the upper body exercise poles that come with some elliptical machines). Perhaps someone else can report on using an elliptical with the upper body exercise poles or the results with a treadmill.

The Polar Activity Watch lends objectivity to daily activity and exercise measurements. It did accurately reflect the time spent on an elliptical exerciser. Recording of daily or weekly data totals should help with setting activity goals and weight management planning.

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Good product. Wife loves it.

I wouldn't buy one for the wife before she drops a hint for it. However, if she basically asks for one, then get it for her. It's a good piece of gear. The wife loves hers.

Great Watch

I really like this watch, I have had it for about a week now and It's great. The watch is solid and looks great! Set up is very easy and I really like all the features of this watch. The band is made from a soft plastic that is tough and I have no doubt that this watch will last for a long time.

I have spent weeks looking for just the right watch and I am very happy with this watch plus it looks great.

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Polar's new AW200 creates a new category: activity technology, which measures both the quantity and quality of the walking exercise. Like Polar heart rate monitors, activity technology is yet another way to help clients listen to their bodies. Sensing body movement to count active steps, the AW200 enables the wearer to develop a better understanding of how much beneficial exercise they are getting while walking. This in turn can become the gateway to a more structured exercise program.