The Ignite 2 was the second of two new devices released by Polar in March.
Looking more like a traditional smartwatch, the Ignite 2 has a stunning feminine style for users just setting out on their fitness journey.
Let’s have a look at everything this watch has to offer.
Ignite 2 Design
I have to admit; I am a big fan of this design. It is still very much a fitness aid, but Polar have spent a lot of time making the Ignite 2 look more like a fashion piece (you can even buy Swarovski Crystal studded straps).
- Check out other fashion brands here.
The 43mm case is lightweight at 35g, and the circular design with textured stainless steel bezel looks and feels expensive. It has a single side button and a metal buckle. Unlike other watches, it has a flat Dragontail glass finish.
The Ignite 2 comes in four colour options, black, blue, champagne, or pink. There are several straps to choose from, including the aforementioned Swarovski Crystal studded strap.
The 1.2-inch, 240-by-204-pixel colour touch display is bright and easy to read despite the low resolution and is gesture-activated with an ambient light sensor.
Sport Features
Polar offers 130 different work out options; however, the Ignite 2 is capable of storing 20. So, if you are not going to use the preset options, these can easily be removed and replaced with any other Polar options.
As with other Polar devices, the FitSpark feature is excellent for those just starting out. FitSpark suggests workouts based on your training history, fitness level, recovery times and how well you slept the previous night. So, if you’ve been kept awake by noisy neighbours or an attack of insomnia, the Ignite 2 will suggest a gentler workout to your usual activities. It will also act as your personal cheerleader, offering you messages of congratulations when you hit or exceed your goals.
Just some of the activities included are:
- Walking
- Cross Trainer
- Indoor Cycling
- Treadmill Running
- Yoga
- Strength Training
- Running
- Swimming
- Cycling
The stats displayed on the screen will change depending on the activity you are doing. For example, if you are taking part in strength training, it shows your heart rate, duration, and calories burned. If you are out for a walk or run, you’ll see your distance, duration, heart rate, and pace.
The Ignite 2 will also vibrate to remind you if you have been sat for too long and encourage you to take screen breaks.
Other Fitness Features
The Ignite 2 is not packed full of sensors, but then you don’t need a device overloaded with sensors if you’re new to working out. The heart rate sensor is accurate and can track 24/7.
- Looking for more advanced features? Check out the G-SHOCK range here.
Stress monitoring offers breathing exercises that can help you calm down and ground yourself in difficult situations or when you just want to sit back and relax.
Furthermore, one of the best features is the watches ability to support you with nutrition and hydration. The Energy Sources function enables you to see how your body uses different energy sources during a training session. This then allows you to make educated choices about the energy you need to replace.
Sleep Tracking
This wouldn’t usually have a section all of its own, but I felt it necessary with the Polar Ignite 2. The sleep tracking really is excellent.
After tracking your sleep for 3 nights, you can access your Nightly Recharge status. This shows how your body recovers from training and stress based on the information it collects about your sleep. If your Nightly Recharge status is poor, the Ignite 2 might advise you to take it easy that day. If your status is good, it might recommend a more strenuous workout.
The Nightly Recharge dashboard is full of helpful information, including your sleep score (from 1 to 100) and information about your sleep duration and regeneration. It shows the time you fell asleep and woke up, how much time you spent in each sleep phase and the duration of interruptions. The 28-day average makes it easy to compare your sleep patterns over time. Furthermore, the Ignite 2 tracks more advanced metrics when you sleep. These include your heart rate variability (the variation in time between successive heartbeats) and breathing rate (the number of breaths you take per minute). The app keeps track of your baseline for both of these and offers further information to help you understand them.
Smart Features
While the Ignite 2 looks more like a smartwatch than a sports watch, unfortunately, it lacks smartwatch features.
There are a few customisable faces. You can choose between an analogue or digital watch face, as well as the colour of the screen.
The weather dashboard is a new feature, and you can now control your music from your watch.
You can receive various notifications; however, you cannot interact with them, so you will still need your phone close by.
- If you want more smart features, check out the Apple Watch 6 here.
Ignite 2 Battery Life
The Polar Ignite 2 claims to offer up to 5 days in watch mode and up to 20 hours of continuous training time. It takes around one hour 45 minutes to fully charge using the supplied USB cable. So, keeping it topped up between workouts is pretty straightforward.
- If battery life is important to you, check out the best here.
Should you buy the Polar Ignite 2?
If you are a hardcore fitness fan, this probably isn’t the watch for you. But, if you are looking for a stylish fitness aid that can be worn to the office or the gym, this could be a great buy. Be sure to do your research, though, as there are similarly priced options that offer more in terms of smart features, such as the Fitbit Versa 3.
Learn more about Polar’s other latest device, the Vantage M2 here.
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Last Updated on July 29, 2021
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