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AI-generated summary
To track your workouts you can use either a simple gyroscope-based tracker, or a watch with a wrist or chest heart rate sensor. But know that you can also use an armband with a heart rate sensor — and even track swimming with that same sensor positioned at your temple.
I do CrossFit and regularly use Kettlebells for it. With my old Apple Watch , it was nearly impossible to use them because I had to rotate the watch out of the way and it was uncomfortable every time the Kettlebell hit it. I tried chest heart rate straps but the sensation doesn’t work for me — I feel like I can’t breathe properly with them on.
Ergonomics
The Polar OH1 armband lets me do any activity since you just put it on your forearm or higher up the arm to track heart rate. When I position it on my forearm, the Kettlebell doesn’t touch it — perfect.
For those who’ve experienced chest heart rate sensors, you’ll know exactly what I mean by “discomfort.” This armband is exceptional in terms of comfort.
I’ve had zero issues during my sessions — heart rate is picked up quickly and seems more accurate than my watch. Syncing with the Polar app is instant and lets me see in real time which training zone I’m working in.
On the other hand, after several weeks of use I noticed the sensor fits slightly less snugly on the strap. Time will tell whether it holds up long-term.
Features
The small sensor — roughly the size of a watch sensor — clips onto the strap and also clips onto a small USB adapter for charging. Don’t lose that adapter, because if you do you’ll need to buy another one: the port is proprietary. That’s the only weak point in my view — I would have preferred a direct port on the sensor itself, but it’s so small that seems technically impossible.
On either side of the sensor you’ll find an LED and a button.
The button lets you:
- turn the sensor on with a single press
- start recording a session with two presses
- turn it off by holding it down
The sensor is compatible with both Bluetooth and ANT+, which lets me pair it to my phone, my Polar Vantage M watch, or my Garmin Edge 1000 for cycling. This dual compatibility makes it an exceptional sensor that works with almost everything on the activity tracker market.
What I really appreciate is the ability to record a session autonomously. Press the button twice and it records your workout. The session then syncs to your phone once you’re in range. It’s convenient and means you don’t have to lug your phone around.
For example, if I decide to do a CrossFit session I just press the button twice. When I want to stop the recording I press again. I open the Polar Beat app and the session syncs automatically — it even gets sent to Strava.
But you don’t have to use it in standalone mode — you can of course pair this sensor to your watch to get more reliable heart rate readings.
A quick word on the Beat app: I find it well designed, and I love the ability to see in real time which heart rate zone I’m training in.
On top of that, it syncs with Strava and can even add an event to your calendar — handy for keeping track of your last training session!
On the downside, the battery life is disappointing. Officially the sensor is rated for 5 hours. In practice, it’s hard to say. What’s certain is that if you go several days without using it, there’s a good chance the battery will be flat when you’re ready to start your session.
I’d love to see a charge indicator in the next version — that would be genuinely useful. When the LED starts blinking red, you have barely 30 minutes left; if it could at least give you an hour’s warning, you’d be able to finish most training sessions.
Conclusion
For me this is an essential companion for anyone who takes sport seriously. By sport, I mean varied activities — not just running, where a wrist heart rate sensor is perfectly adequate.
For anyone who can’t stand chest straps, I really recommend this armband . I bet you won’t go back to your chest strap anytime soon.
