

Still, if your phone battery dies quickly or you prefer not to carry your phone while working out, it may not be a workable solution. I suspect Polar decided to leverage phone GPS rather than including one as a compromise to keep the price low. It seems quite accurate (I tested it side-by-side with a Garmin Vìvoactiv 3 that has native GPS). The Unite doesn't have built-in GPS functionality but when paired with your phone, it's able to use your phone's GPS to track elevation, distance, and route. GPS functionality only when paired with your phone The watch learns about your fitness and activity over time, allowing it to make recommendations and analyses about your health. I particularly like the cardio load feature, which analyzes the intensity and effectiveness of your workout by comparing your heart rate to past workout sessions. The Unite does still come with some advanced features found on more expensive Polar watches, too. There are also two apps that are compatible with the watch: Polar Beat, which focuses on capturing resting heart rate data, route tracking, and speed, and Polar Flow, which is more focused on providing an overall summary of your health and fitness stats. I rarely do breathing exercises on my own but found myself using the Serene feature at least once or twice a day.
POLAR UNITE FITNESS SERIES
However, what it lacks in advanced smartwatch or fitness features it makes up for with useful daily fitness features, including Serene breathing guidance and Spark, a series of personalized strength, cardio, and restoration routines.īoth Serene and Spark are easy to use and follow, and I was always able to find time to use them on most days. Unfortunately, it doesn't feature music integration, touch-to-pay payment functionality, or maps and weather. The Unite has most of the features I care about on a watch: GPS-tracking (sort of) a heart-rate monitor, sleep tracking, and text notifications. The Polar Unite is loaded with features like fitness recommendations, and in-depth analysis.

It may be better for those who are fitness-minded but not strictly regimented, or anyone whose workout style requires quick bursts rather than longer, sustained activities. Those more interested in smartwatches may want to check out our Polar Ignite review, which, according to Polar, burns out much more quickly when training mode is enabled but lasts dozens of hours longer in watch mode. It has the most straightforward operation of any tracker I've used. Though the face doesn't offer as much customization as other watches, those downsides are outweighed by the Unite's easy-to-use and clear information. Learning to navigate the watch's features takes roughly a day or so, and since the screen automatically illuminates when you lift your wrist, it's easy to quickly see your data and stats while working out. The Unite is a much more beginner-friendly option when compared to other devices like Fitbit or Garmin. The colorful display is clear and easy to read and there are just a few basic motions that control everything you need to see on the watch. Right out of the box, I noticed the Unite is very easy to use and operate and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to first-timers or tech-challenged buyers. Information about your health is easy to access at any time, with simple single-button and touchscreen controls. Here are my thoughts on the Unite and whether the price tag is too good to be true. Though I originally planned to wear it for a week to write this review, I've been wearing it daily and it's become normal to sleep and shower in it. I decided to give it a try.Īfter my first few days with the watch, I became a fitness tracker convert. But the Unite promises a host of useful features, including route and elevation tracking, sleep monitoring, and, interestingly, meditation and breathing guidance. I've never been a big watch wearer and I'm not the type of person who tracks my fitness or daily habits closely. Though I spend much of my time outside, I've always been hit-or-miss when it comes to fitness trackers. This easy-to-use watch offers many of the industry's popular high-end features like advanced sleep-tracking and multi-sport compatibility at a surprisingly low price.

That line gets a little blurrier with the introduction of Polar's latest smartwatch, the Unite.

POLAR UNITE FITNESS HOW TO
Knowing how to spot the best fitness tracker in a sea of options can be tough, especially when there's so much overlap with some of the best smartwatches.
