Compare to other Polar models- click here

Note: This comparison chart will help you see the differences between Polar products. When finished, just close the window and return to our product page where you can order. Thank you.

• How to take care of your product

• How to use a chest transmitter

• Why use a heart rate monitor for weight loss

• Why use a heart rate monitor for basic fitness

• Why use a heart rate monitor

You may also wash it with mild soap and water solution under running water. Remember not to press any buttons.


• Do not store the unit in non-breathable material (i.e. plastic bag or damp gym bag).


• Do not operate the buttons whilst under water or when wet.


• Keep your unit out of extreme cold (below –10 º C/14 ºF) and heat (above 50 ºC/120 ºF)


If the Battery runs out -
• The first sign that the battery may be running down is when the display fades. This may become apparent when the digits fade when the back light is used (certain models).


• We recommend that you send your unit to the Polar Service. The rubber seal that ensures water resistance should be checked and the unit should be tested for water resistance every time it is opened.


• Service to your unit by yourself or an unauthorized service may damage your unit.


• Warranty does not cover damage or consequential damage caused by service not authorized by Polar.




Care of the Transmitter (IF APPLICABLE ) -
Proper care of the transmitter after use ensures longer service life for the transmitter.


• Wash the transmitter regularly after use. T31, T31C, T61 transmitters should be washed with a mild soap and water solution. Dry it carefully with a soft towel after washing.


• WearLink transmitter strap and connector should be rinsed with water. Never store the transmitter when it is wet, and store the strap and connector separately. Sweat and moisture can keep the electrodes wet and the transmitter activated, which shortens the battery life.


• Store your Polar product in a cool and dry place. Make sure that the electrodes do not contact anything damp, such as sport towel or wet elastic strap. Do not store a wet transmitter in any kind of non-breathing material, such as a plastic bag or a sports bag.


• Do not bend or stretch the transmitter. This may damage the electrodes.


• Readjust the elastic strap periodically so that the transmitter fits firmly around the chest.


• Only dry the transmitter with a towel. Hard-handed handling may damage the electrodes.


• Keep your Polar product out of extreme cold and heat. The operating temperature is -10 ºC to 50 ºC/ 14 ºF to 122 ºF. Do not expose the Polar prodcut to direct sunlight for extended periods, such as leaving it in a car.


• T31, T31C, T61 transmitters can be washed with mild soap and a gentle brush. If the electrodes appear discoloured, the transmitter needs to be washed. Do not use any alcohol or a solvent based detergent.


• WearLink strap and the elastic strap of the T31, T31C and T61 should be washed regularly in a washing machine at 40ºC/104ºF or at least after every fifth use. This ensures reliable measurement and maximizes the life span of the transmitter. Use a washing pouch. Do not soak, spin-dry, iron, dry clean or bleach the strap. Do not use detergent with bleach or fabric softener. Never put the transmitter connector in the washing machine or drier!
• If your T31, T31C or T61 transmitter does wear out, a new one is available at a special replacement cost. Polar recycles used transmitters. (Please note, that this does not apply to WearLink transmitters.)

If you entered this section, you are trying to lose or manage your weight. You probably already know that the key to weight management is the combination of eating and exercising right. Many people fall short when planning an exercise program because they just don't know what to do and how hard to exercise. These sections were created to help you develop an effective exercise program.

To understand how an HRM can help you, we established the Polar 3 Point Message:

In order to reach your fitness goals, you need to exercise at the right intensity.
Heart rate is the only accurate measurement of your intensity or your exertion level.
A Polar HRM is the easiest and most accurate way to continuously measure your heart rate.

It's a tool that will help pace you. If you exercise too hard, you will most likely quit before you get the real benefit. We have all seen the person that gets on the treadmill, cranks it up to 8% grade and 8 mph, runs full out for 2 minutes, and gets off. ALL THEY DID WAS WASTE TWO MINUTES OF THEIR TIME!

Your goal should be 30 minutes. After 20 minutes, you will start burning more calories. Your body needs time to warm up. It's like lifting weights. The first 10 reps you do are like a warm-up, and the last 2 are the ones that really give you the benefit. How do you get to 30 minutes? By pacing yourself.

On the other hand, there are people that exercise very leisurely and wonder why they can't lose any weight. If you workout too slow, you don't get the exercise benefit.

If you're very new to the concept of heart rate, you might be wondering WHAT'S AN HRM. It consists of a watch worn on your wrist, and a transmitter that you comfortably wear against your skin and around your chest. The transmitter picks up the signals of your heart, and sends them wirelessly to the watch you wear on your wrist. It's that simple. No wires, no taking your pulse and doing a multiplication equation. Just look at your wrist and it's there. AND THE KEY, IT'S DISPLAYED CONTINUOUSLY. The continuous display is what makes it effective. It's there guiding you during your whole workout.

Here's how it works

There are specific Target Zones (TZ) that help to guide you to the right intensity. A TZ is a high and low heart rate range that is based on a percentage of your maximum heart rate. Using a formula based on your age, you can figure out your maximum heart rate. You then take percentages of that to get your Target Zones.

Key Target Zones for Weight Loss

60-70% of max HR weight loss and building endurance
70-80% " " " weight management and improving cardiovascular fitness
80%+ interval workouts

Example:

Elaine is 45 years old and she wants to lose weight. She exercises three days a week, sometimes for 10 minutes, sometimes for 20 minutes and she's not sure how hard to exert herself.

*Her estimated max heart rate is 220-(age) 45=175

The recommended target zone is 60-70 %
60% of 175=105
70% of 175=123

Elaine should walk three days a week for at least 30 minutes and keep her heart rate between 105 and 123 for effective weight loss. IT'S THAT SIMPLE!

Polar OwnFeatures™

Our M-Series products have some exclusive features that listen to your body and then help guide you to an effective workout. The OwnZone™ feature will automatically establish your effective Target Zone for that day’s exercise during a brief warm-up period. It’s a great alternative to the formula calculations explained above.

The OwnCal™ feature will track your calories burned more accurately because it calculates consumption right from your body by using your heart rate. Almost all of the other calorie functions you see on watches or equipment are based on formulas. To see this, just step off your treadmill while it is still going and watch the calories continue to accumulate while you stand still.

The 'no pain, no gain" theory is alive and well in most gyms and households today. People believe that they have to go all out to get the best workout possible. What happens then is the majority of people quit because exercise is too hard. Does that sound like you?

Maybe you have stuck it out, but just can't seem to get those last few pounds off. And it's not from lack of effort. You put your time in at the gym or on your home exercise equipment. But are you sure that you're exercising according to what your goals are? If not, a heart rate monitor may be just the key to get you the results you're looking for.

To understand how an HRM can help you, we established the Polar 3 Point Message:

In order to reach your fitness goals, you need to exercise at the right intensity.
Heart rate is the only accurate measurement of your intensity or your exertion level.
A Polar HRM is the easiest and most accurate way to continuously measure your heart rate.
A heart rate monitor is a tool that will help pace you. If you exercise too hard, you will most likely quit before you get the real benefit. We have all seen the person who gets on the treadmill, cranks it up to 8% grade and 8 mph, runs full out for 2 minutes, and gets off. ALL THEY DID WAS WASTE TWO MINUTES OF THEIR TIME!

On the other hand, there are people who exercise very leisurely and wonder why they can't lose any weight. If you workout too slowly, you won't get the exercise benefit either.

That's where the HRM comes in. It paces you during your workout. It's like having a personal trainer that tells you to slow down or speed up. It also helps you diversify your workout and integrate different activities so you don't get bored. Right now, how would you know that you're getting a similar workout from a treadmill, a weight circuit or jumping rope? You probably really can't tell. It's not how you feel, or how much you are perspiring. Your heart rate can tell you. With a heart rate monitor you can ensure that you're working out at the right intensity, no matter what activity you choose. Run on a treadmill, jump rope, in-line skate, go for a hike...these can all be parts of an effective exercise program because now you can tell what kind of workout you're getting. The HRM makes that possible.

If you are new to exercise, it can be daunting to walk into the gym and figure out what to do. You get on a piece of equipment and it’s asking you for level, speed, incline. How do you know what’s right? All you have to do is figure out your 60-70% Target Zone, program it into your heart rate monitor, start the equipment and go. You can elevate the level, speed, whatever…..just make sure whatever you are doing, your heart rate stays in that zone. It takes the guesswork out of exercise and gives you the confidence to know that you’re doing it right.

If you're very new to the concept of heart rate training, you might be wondering WHAT'S AN HRM. It consists of a watch worn on your wrist, and a transmitter that you comfortably wear against your skin and around your chest. The transmitter picks up the signals of your heart, and sends them wirelessly to the watch you wear on your wrist. It's that simple. No wires, no stopping to take your pulse and doing a multiplication equation. Just look at your wrist and it's there. AND THE KEY, IT'S DISPLAYED CONTINUOUSLY. The continuous display is what makes it effective. It's there guiding you during your whole workout.

Your home equipment, or the cardio machine that you use at the gym, may already have Polar technology built into it. That means that all you have to do is wear a Polar transmitter and the machine can track your heart rate during your exercise. There are even machines that are heart rate controlled and will adjust the speed based on your own heart rate. Look for the Polar logo on these machines and start getting a more effective workout.

Here's how you can integrate an HRM into your exercise program

There are specific Target Zones (TZ) that help guide you to the right intensity. A TZ is a high and low heart rate range that is based on a percentage of your maximum heart rate. You can use a formula based on your age, you can figure out your maximum heart rate. You then take percentages of that to get your Target Zones.

Another option is the OwnZone™ feature that is built into our M-Series products. During a brief warm-up, these models will automatically establish your 65-85% target zone for that day based on your body’s fitness. If you are doing a longer workout, stay in the lower end of that range. If you are looking for a shorter, more intense workout, just stay in the upper half of that zone. It’s that simple! There is also an OwnCal™ feature that will allow you to accurately track the calories that you burn.


Key Target Zones

60-70% of max HR Good for weight loss, building endurance or recovery
70-80% " " " Good for improving cardiovascular fitness
80%+ " " " Interval workouts

Example:

Gerry is 45 years old, wants to lose weight, and exercises three days a week, sometimes for 10 minutes, sometimes for 20 minutes and is just not sure how hard to go.

*Her estimated max heart rate is 220-(age) 45=175

The recommended target zone is 60-70 %
60% of 175=105
70% of 175=123

Gerry’s target zone is 105-123

Gerry should exercise three days a week for at least 30 minutes and keep her heart rate between 105 and 123 for effective weight loss. IT'S THAT SIMPLE!

If you are trying to improve your overall fitness, you need to vary your workouts. Your body is smart and adapts to routine. If you follow the same program, and have so for a while, you may have hit a plateau. Variety is the key here. Approach your workouts like an athlete does. They focus on different workouts on different days. Have an endurance day when you go longer at an easier pace than you usually do (60-70% TZ). Do a tempo workout another day staying below 80%. Do an interval workout like hill repeats, or speed intervals where you pick up the speed for 1 minute, rest for three minutes and repeat it again. These are the kinds of workouts that will help get you over the hump. Approach your workouts like an athlete, preparing yourself the most effective way that you can.

You can even track improvements beyond getting on a scale. Look for lowered resting heart rate as a key indicator. For a more effective measure,look for the OwnIndex™ feature in some of our units which will let you perform a fitness test while you are sitting in a chair. You can establish your baseline fitness, then take the test monthly and easily track your improvements.

1. A heart rate monitor is like a rev counter, giving a precise measurement of exercise intensity.

2. Training at your own ideal pace is made possible with a heart rate monitor.

3. Direct measurement of heart rate during exercise is the most accurate way to gauge performance.

4. Progress can be monitored and measured, increasing motivation.

5. It maximizes the benefits of exercise in a limited amount of time.

6. It introduces objective observation. Are you on the right track? Are you improving?

7. It is a tool for regulating frequency and intensity of workouts.

8. Because of the immediate feedback it provides, heart rate monitoring is an ideal training partner.

How does it work?
When you start training, your heart rate increases rapidly in proportion to the intensity of the training. In Polar Heart Rate Monitors, the transmitter belt detects the electrocardiogram (ECG - the electric signal originating from your heart) and sends an electromagnetic signal to the Polar wrist receiver where heart rate information appears.

The heart moves blood from the lungs (where the blood picks up oxygen) to the muscles (which burn the oxygen as fuel) and back to the lungs again. The harder the training, the more fuel the muscles need and the harder the heart has to work to pump oxygen-rich blood to the muscles.

As you get fitter, your heart is able to pump more blood with every beat. As a result, your heart doesn’t have to beat as often to get the needed oxygen to your muscles, decreasing resting heart rate and exercise heart rate on all exertion levels.