The Polar FT7 model is a great in-between Heart Rate Watch that is neither too high-tech and not too simple either. This watch is a great Running or Exercise Watch for the average person that would like to improve their overall fitness. What is also quite neat is, that you can get this model, the Polar FT7, in several choices: 4 different color combination choices and 4 wrist size options. So that means you always get the best training watch for your own needs.
Color Combination Choices For The Polar FT7
The Polar FT7 for Men is available in black with a silver or red stripe, and for Women the options are black with golden stripe and red watch with silver stripe. I really like the Polar FT7 for Men in black with the red stripe. This is just my personal opinion. Another note, both women’s models are also available for size ONE and for One Size Fits All.
Polar FT7 – User Changeable Batteries
Another quite important and useful feature of this Running Watch: You can change the batteries of the watch and the chest strap by yourself. This saves time and money, whereas otherwise you would need to ship in your equipment and wait some time again until you get it back. But don’t worry, the batteries for the watch should last you around one year without any need for changing them.
Special Feature Of The Polar FT7, EnergyPointer – Fat Burning or Improving Fitness Level
Polar has equipped the FT7 Heart Rate Monitor Watch with a special feature, that is also only available on the Polar FT40, called EnergyPointer. The Energy Pointer feature shows you in real time graphically if you are training in the fat burning zone or improving your fitness level zone. I found a video that shows exactly how the EnergyPointer feature is implemented on the Polar FT7 training watch:
What is the Polar EnergyPointer:
Fabric Transmitter
When you think normally about running watch chest straps, then most athletes will be used to hard plastic contacts. Polar has equipped their heart rate chest strap with special cloth contacts. They are much more comfortable when worn on the body and just simply have to be wet to get activated. Some people wear the chest strap even all day, and don’t complain about being uncomfortable with it. For better hygiene, you can even wash the chest strap in the washing machine. This is actually quite important, as the heart rate chest strap can get quite smelly after a few sweaty workouts.
HeartTouch – Hands Free Operation
Another quite unique feature that the Polar FT7 running watch has to offer is HeartTouch. What that means basically is that during a workout you don’t need to fiddle around and start pressing buttons to see your 
measurements, but just have to point the heart rate monitor to your chest strap. The watch will then beep and flash and show you the information on the screen.
You can use the Polar FT7 to set your own training target zones. What that means is, the watch will let you know visually and tell you audible if you are below or above your heart rate based target zone.
The watch also keeps track of 99 sets of your last workouts. You can access that information either through the watch menu or download it with the Polar FlowLink to your computer. The FlowLink is an accessory that is not included in your watch, but might be useful for the more serious athletes. Besides the training files you get also a weekly summary of your heart rate training. This helps you stay motivated and get in better shape each week.
All together, this is a very good running watch for the beginner and athlete alike. Besides the accurate technical features it also looks stylish – both for men and women. I can highly recommend Polar in general, and specifically the Polar FT7 Heart Rate Monitor watch. You can compare the Polar FT7 to the Polar FT60 and see which one you like better.
Getting started with the Polar FT7 Heart Rate Monitor:
Summary Of Important Technical Specifications For Polar FT7 Running Watch:
- Records average and maximum Heart Rate of workout
- Heart Rate shown as beats per minute and percentage of maximum HR
- Heart Rate zone target training – visually and audible
- EnergyPointer – see graphically if you are training for fat burning or improving your fitness
- Calorie Counter
- Store 99 Training Files
- Weekly training summary
- Hands free operation – by just moving the watch close to your heart strap (useful when wearing cloves…)
- Back light
- 2 time zones
- Key Lock feature
- User can replace batteries – without sending them to manufacturer
- Water Resistant up to 30m
- Battery Life: 1 year (Battery: CR1632)
- Watch weight around 30g
- Your buy includes the Polar FT7 watch, chest strap and transmitter and Starter Guide
List Price: $ 135.00 USD
This concludes the Polar FT7 review, check out other reviews on our homepage or read the Polar FT60 review.
[...] Polar FT60 has definitely more features than the Polar FT7, which makes it a good intermediate running watch model. The heart rate features include the [...]