Well, it’s Fitness Friday and I have a pretty spectacular gadget to talk about today (Polar RC3GPS). So hold on tight, this might be long one, but at least it’s THOROUGH.
Before I start, I just wanted to preface that I am not training for any certain event. In fact, I am just now starting to track my HR and Miles because of my new polar. I hadn’t in over 2 years. Why? Because I didn’t need to (although i wanted to). And part of that reason was because I wasn’t really working out (due to healing my gut) and I was focusing on gaining health back. A slow and steady progress, but so worth it! Today I am easing back into road and trail running as well as teaching strength and spin classes.
The following post is sponsored by FitFluential LLC on behalf of Polar. My thoughts and opinions are completely my own, I promise that! 
The polar is helping me train SMARTER, not HARDER. I’ve used the Polar RC3 GPS in 4 different settings over a 2 week period. Trail runs, beach run (on vacation), road running, and in the gym (cycling, strength, etc.) Here’s what what you need to know.
Once unboxed you have you watch, heart rate monitor and your USB charger.
One cool thing I noticed on the the heart rate strap was some rubber around the connector/snap downs. Curious as to what this I was I did some research. The rubber is to prevent any spikes in HR. I run in an area with lots of electricity poles and would get some random HR values in the high 200s. SO far everything has stayed in normal range. Pretty cool little feature as I can’t stand when my HR reads wrong due to interference.
Polar is well known for being a leader in HR monitors and it lives up the reputation in the the RC3. You can pick between two ways to train. Zone optimizer and standard. I like to use standard the majority of the time, because I’m not really training for anything specific right now. But my husband uses the zone optimizer the day after very tough session. Here’s why—–> The watch and HR monitor will actually take you through a small test/warm and based on their formula and variability in HR will change your zones. If you are fatigued from the hard session the day before, the watch will lower your HR zone so you don’t overdo anything. If you have recovered your zone stays the same. Such a GREAT feature for those looking to train SMART!
The GPS works very well. First time turning it on it can always take a minute or two to get a signal, but after the first time using it, the watch picks up a signal pretty quickly.
A tip if you don’t like waiting for signals. I always turn my watch on a few minutes before run. If driving to my run spot, I stick it on my dash. If running from my house, I stick it on my porch while I put my shoes on. Then my watch is always ready to go when I am. Another very nice feature is how stable the GPS pacing is on the Polar RC3. I noticed straight away how stable this was and wasn’t jumping around by more then :10 seconds during steady state runs.
Screen selection is great! Several pages that to scroll through and you can add want you like to see on each page. Each page will range from 2-3 data fields you would like to see. This came in very handy while strength training and teaching at the gym. Going from one type of workout to another (i.e spin then strength).
Overall the Polar is pretty easy to use and set up. Even a non gadget guru like figured it out quite quickly
Here’s a brief summary of the features just in case you missed something above.
Interested in seeing how the POLAR RC3 GPS actually works yourself? Check out the video below.
Also, if you’d like to buy this great running GPS click ::here:: and use code: “fitfluential” during checkout for a 25% discount! This discount is valid only on the RC3 GPS and will expire on 8/10.
So.. let me here it. What’s your fitness Friday? Have you tried any polar gadgets?
Cheers to Friday and Cheers to a new month!
LC
Great review! I keep meaning to track my heart rate but never seem to make it happen. But I do track my miles!
A Polar was my first fitness watch many years ago. I have since moved to a Garmin, but I do like the heart rate features you talked about on the Polar. I have been paying more attention to my heart rate during training this marathon cycle and am learning more about how it can help you train smarter. Definitely a good thing!
the GPS on this polar is similar (if not better) than a garmin. I was shocked! A great tool for you!
Ah, would love one of these. Maybe on day!
birthday, christmas, etc??! add it to the list! hehe
I’ve considered getting a HR monitor, this one sounds great….great review! Fitness today was running on the beach. I’ve never done such a thing and it was HARD. I need to give beach runners more cred!!
oh i agree! beach running is hard but at least you get a spectacular view!
I really need to pick up something like this as my workout routine increases. Thanks for the great review! Love your blog! -Samantha
thanks Sam! Let me know if you try out the polar. I think you’ll be in heaven!
I seriously love my Polar so much more than I ever thought that I would. I really appreciate how it helps me train smarter!
me too! i needed this. Quality training keeps us training.. SMART
Great review! I have a polar monitor but the silly chest strap is way too big for me, and I can’t seem to find a smaller one in my city which is sad. Otherwise I love the HRM!
that was my problem too. I had to pin it smaller. But this one fits well!
I have a Polar HR Monitor. I haven’t put it to use in a loooonnng time.
I’m loving the new look…mine is grey…doesn’t look as lively as yours!
I used to have a polar and loved it! I need to get back into it with heart rate training. Have a great weekend, it’s almost wine time in the boyle house!
i need to make it to a boyle wine time some day!
I’m a GPS junkie, but tend to use Garmin for mine. It would be interesting to do a comparison run & see how close they are. 🙂
the GPS on the polar is very efficient! James tested it out with both his Garmin and the polar. I was shocked, in a good way!
The only polar I have tried was a HR monitor when I was pregnant, I really want to try something that can help with my running or with my strength training!
oh gosh, this will help so much! especially if you are trying to set goals or trainer smarter, not harder. ya know?
I have never tried any of these gadgets – I need to! 🙂 Great review!
it’s so easy to use too!
Oh that Polar HRm is awesome!! Makes my FT 40 look like a lil guy! Love the pic of you and james!
thanks Jess! p.s. I still can’t get your blog. ARGH
I’ve been in the market for a new GPS and now I should probably add this one to the list of options I am looking at….hmm….
you should, it’s like 3 gadgets in one and not bulky!
I’m a big fan of Polar’s heart rate monitors, and currently use their FT40. I haven’t tried their GPS watches yet–I’ve always wondered if they were as reliable as Garmin. Thanks for the review!
thats a good choice too.
My first fitness gadget was a Polar HR monitor. No GPS or anything, but I learned to train by HR and really found it so helpful
especially when you are trying to increase speed or mileage. Great tool for smart training!
Great review! My husband has a heart rate monitor, but I’ve never tried one before (I don’t think I’ve ever tried the Polar brand products either). It sounds like it would be a valuable piece of equipment to start using though.
you should! you’d love it for running, since you are kinda running again. hehe
Very cool gadget! I know I should be using a GPS or something for my run training but I never have used anything other than my regular watch (which I’ve even forgotten to wear). GPS would be cool because it would tell me distance at the end of my run, the rest of the stuff I don’t really know what to do with. haha I feel like a bad triathlete right now admitting that!
girl… you NEED one. I know it’s not ideal for you but save up. You will benefit so much!
i’ve heard nothing but good things about the polar watches!!
Lucky girl!!! My Polar pooped out in less than a year and they won’t replace it. And it’s pink. Oy.
well black, like your soul, suits you better. LOL!
I really want a Polar gadget! I am still researching to see which one makes the most sense for my workouts and of course my budget. This one seems great but maybe more than I need. Glad you like it!
check out all the polar gadgets. So many to fit different training needs. this one is like all of them put together in one. I love it!
Ah, gadgets…I have one on each arm and leg it seems and LOVE em!
you and me both girl!
Thanks for the review, Lindsay!! This is going on my wish list – probably won’t ever buy it for myself because it is SO pricey! I love that it keeps both a steady pace and HR AND that it finds signal quickly, that’s one of my pet peeves about running watches 😉
you will love it! i think you should buy it with the discount as a celebratory gift. ya know for the big MOVE!
I would love to try this Polar! I have an old girlie-one with flowers, very pretty 🙂 but no GPS unfortunately.
Fitness today was City Bootcamp in the heat!
making we can get them to make a new GPS one with flowers. hehe . But you’d love this!