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For running and other terrestrial sports.
Whatever the terrain, whatever the sport, nothing should get in the way of your training. If you’re a competitive, endurance athlete looking for an accurate way to measure your speed and distance, not to mention, a way to plan, monitor and analyze how well your body copes with extreme training, the RS800 with new Polar G3 GPS Sensor is an essential piece of kit.
Ideal for cross-terrain sports like running, cycling, Nordic skiing, in-line skating and kayaking. It synchronizes with the Polar ProTrainer 5 software for guidance, analysis and creating individual training settings and determines if your training program and recovery time is optimally developing your performance. It's highly sensitive barometric altitude sensor shows your elevation profiles.
More detailed information under
"Great information on this product"
(see below)
Polar RS800G3 wrist unit
W.I.N.D. wearlink coded chest transmitter with elastic strap
G3 GPS Sensor with arm band
Polar USB Adapter
USB Cable
Alkaline 1.5V LR6 battery
Getting Started Guide
G3 GPS Sensor instruction booklet
Polar ProTrainer 5 Professional Training Software
Two Year Warranty
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Altitude Measurement in Polar Products
The Polar products measure altitude by using an air pressure sensor. Air pressure changes constantly due to varying weather conditions.
Therefore, measured altitudes in the same position may vary. Pressure variations due to weather conditions, or indoor air-conditioning, may affect altitude readings. Therefore it is recommend to calibrate the altitude value before exercising.
For example, a thunderstorm can cause a pressure change of up to 80 hPa /2.36 inHg, meaning a change of approximately 700 m / 2000 ft in calculated altitude.
Note: If the current air temperature differs from the normal (see the table below), there are errors in altitude calculation, because the altitude calculation is based on the barometric pressure at a normal temperature. When climbing in higher than normal temperature the actual altitude value is higher compared to the value shown at the wrist unit's display. If the temperature is lower than normal temperature the actual altitude value is lower than the value shown on the wrist unit.
How to calibrate altitude
The RS800 / RS800CX / CS600 measures and displays altitude. With calibration you ensure your Polar product has the correct reference altitude to base its measurement on. Check your altitude calibration whenever a reliable reference, such as a peak or a topographic map, is available, or when at sea level.
To calibrate altitude, go to Settings → Features → Altitude → Calibrate and enter the desired altitude value.
To set altitude function on or off in RS800 / RS800CX, go to Settings → Features → Altitude → On / Off. |
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How to transfer data to Polar ProTrainer 5 via IrDA
To connect your Polar product to Polar ProTrainer 5 software, you will need either an external or internal IrDA device, for instance the Polar IrDA USB 2.0 Adapter.
To edit settings:
Check in Options → Preferences → Hardware that you have the correct IR Communication Port.
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To transfer data:
1. Press the lower right button of your Polar product to enter Connect mode.
Do not press any other button.
(When using AXN 500/700, press the start button once, and then the lower right button enter Connect mode.
Do not press any other button.)
2. Face the Polar product to the IrDA device/internal IrDA port.
You should have this icon in the system tray (bottom right of your computer display) to indicate that you have established connection with the computer.
If you have an internal IrDA port, please see that the Polar product and the laptop infrared windows are parallel to each other. You may help this by bringing the laptop closer to the edge of the table.
3. To transfer data, you can either choose to a) synchronize exercise data between the Polar product and the Polar ProTrainer or b) edit settings in the software and then transfer them to the product.
a) To transfer exercise and/or training plan data
Click Transfer Data 
A Software Preferences window appears.
2. Click OK.
If Software Preferences window is not displayed, go to Options → Preferences → Transfer Data to select transfer settings.
If you have created a training plan a given day, and you want to transfer it to your Polar product, select Update training program in Polar product in Software Preferences.
f you are uncertain on whether your Polar product can receive a training program created in the ProTrainer 5, please check the Polar product user manual or the product page at www.polar.fi.
A transfer window indicates that connection is established.
Once the transfer is complete you will find your exercises on the appropriate dates in the Calendar. A date that has exercises you have not yet analyzed (you have not entered the Training Diary view on this date) has a colored corner.
If you have recorded your heart rate as R-R data (beat-to-beat heart rate), you will get two files: one file for R-R data which only contains heart rate data, and one for heart rate, speed, altitude, etc, taken every 1, 5, 15 or 60 seconds, depending on your choice. Note that with S810/S810i R-R recording will only give you one file.
b) To edit settings
1. Click 
Infrared Connection window appears and the settings data located on your Polar product are automatically read to the software.
2. In the Polar product settings window, select Exercise Files to get the list of exercises currently on your Polar product.
Go to the settings you want to edit and click the transfer button in the bottom right corner to transfer the edited settings to the Polar product.
The settings, and therefore the various settings dialogs, vary according to features available in the Polar product. |
If Polar IrDA 2.0 Adapter is not working
1. Check that the Polar IrDA USB 2.0 Adapter is compatible with your Polar product.
2. Check the data transfer instructions for the software you are connecting with. For ProTrainer 5, see How to transfer data to Polar ProTrainer 5 via IrDA. Depending on your system, recognizing the Polar product might take a moment. Please be patient.
3. If you are using Polar PC software (e.g. WebLink, ProTrainer 5), check that you have the latest update available. For example in ProTrainer, go to Help → Check for updates. For more information, see Polar support for your software.
4. If you still cannot transfer data:
a. Check that the adapter light flashes. If no light flashing or the light is solid, unplug and re-plug the adapter into the USB port.
b. If you are using a HUB, try instead to plug the Polar IrDA USB 2.0 Adapter directly to your computer’s USB port to eliminate the HUB as the cause for the trouble.
c. Check that the adapter is plugged into the same USB port it was in when you installed the driver.
d. In the Device Manager, check that the Polar IrDA USB 2.0 Adapter is working properly. On your computer desktop, right-click on My Computer and select Properties → Hardware → Device Manager or go to Start → Settings → Control Panel → System → Hardware → Device Manager.
If you can find the IrDA adapter in the Device Manager but you cannot make it work, try removing and reinstalling the drivers for the adapter.
If the device is not working properly, you can update the driver from the Device Manager (Polar IrDA USB 2.0 drivers).
Do not install the adapter's own drivers on Vista. For more information see Installing Polar IrDA 2.0 adapter to Vista.
Check that you have the correct settings in the compatible Polar software. For example in ProTrainer 5, go to Options → Preferences → Hardware → IR Communication Port, select IrDA.
If you still cannot transfer data from your Polar product with your Polar IrDA 2.0 Adapter, the IrDA device could be broken.
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How to Download Logos to RS800
To transfer logos to your Polar product, make sure you have Polar ProTrainer 5 software installed on your computer.
1. Download and save the logo zip file from the web page to your computer. You can save the file, for example, in Polar ProTrainer's Logo folder located by default at C:\Program Files\Polar\Polar ProTrainer\Logo.
2. Extract the zip file.
3. Open Polar ProTrainer 5 software.
4. Place your Polar product in CONNECT mode and face it to the infrared window of your computer or external infrared device.
5. In Polar ProTrainer 5, select Tools → Edit Polar Product Settings or click Edit Polar Product Settings
on the toolbar. Wait for the settings to load.
6. Open the Logo page.
7. On the Logo page toolbar, click Open and browse to the folder you have extracted the logo files. Choose the logo you would like to transfer to your Polar product.
8. Click Transfer
to transfer the logo to the Polar product.
9. You can see the new logo on the middle row of your product display when in Time mode. You can toggle different middle-row views by pressing and holding the Up button in Time mode until the desired information is shown.
If the data transfer was unsuccessful.
- If logo zip extracting fails, the file may have corrupted during download. Re-download the file and try extracting again.
- If the Transfer button on the Logo page is disabled, check that the Polar product is in CONNECT mode and its infrared window facing the infrared adapter on your computer.
This icon
should be displayed in your computer's System Tray. |
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Can you use Polar G3 GPS sensor W.I.N.D. or Polar G1 GPS sensor for tracking your route?
G3 and G1 GPS sensors have been designed for the speed and distance measurement and it is not possible to track your route with the sensors. However, Polar RS800 has an altitude measurement feature, which means that you are able to track the elevation profile of your exercise and analyse the results in the ProTrainer 5 software. |
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How to set your Polar product to Connect Mode
Press the 'Down' button once so that you can see 'CONNECT' on display. |
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Benefits of Heart Rate Monitoring
Why is it important to monitor your heart rate when you exercise?
Your heart rate is a convenient, reliable, personal indicator of the intensity of your exercise.
It's good to know the intensity of your exercise so you can vary it depending on your fitness level and the goals you want to achieve by exercising.
Heart rate monitoring brings following benefits to all levels of users:
Exercise Beginner
Teaches you about your body's reaction to exercise
Keeps you from starting out too hard (as beginners are often tempted)
Helps you control the intensity of your exercise routine
Provides feedback on your improvement
Regular exerciser
Helps you control the intensity of your exercise program under different circumstances
Helps you fine-tune your program for the best results
Gives you plenty of feedback both during and after a session, teaching you more about your body's reaction to exercise
Helps you see how you're progressing
Serious exerciser
Helps you make sure you work out at the right planned intensities for your training program (hard enough on hard days, light enough on recovery days, enough recovery between intervals, etc.)
Enables you to track and accurately adjust your training program
Teaches you about your body's reaction to training, providing an early warning of overtraining, flu, etc.
Provides feedback on your progress |
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How to Determine Your Maximum Heart Rate
The most accurate way of determining individual maximum heart rate (HRmax) is to have it clinically measured, usually on a maximal treadmill or by taking a bicycle stress test supervised by a cardiologist or exercise physiologist. HRmax can also be estimated by using the commonly used formula: 220 minus age. Research has shown that the formula is not very accurate, especially for people who have been fit for many years or for older people. The HRmax-p score, however, predicts individual maximum heart rate value more accurately. This feature is included in most Polar running computers.
If you have done some hard training in recent weeks and know that you can safely reach maximum heart rate, here is a simple test you can take.
You should consult your physician before undertaking this test. We also recommend you take the test together with a training partner.
Step 1: Warm up for 15 minutes on a flat surface, building to your usual training pace.
Step 2: Then choose a hill or stairwell that will take you more than 2 minutes to climb. Run up the hill/steps once, building to as hard a pace that you can hold for 20 min. Return to the base of the hill/steps.
Step 3: Run up the hill/steps again, building towards a pace you can just about hold for 3 km. Note your highest heart rate. Your maximum is approximately 10 beats higher than the noted value.
Step 4: Run back down the hill allowing your heart rate to drop 30 to 40 beats.
Step 5: Run up the hills/steps once again at a pace that you can only hold for 1 minute. Try to run half-way up the hills/steps. Note your highest heart rate. This brings you close to your maximum heart rate. Use this value as your maximum heart rate to set training zones.
Step 6: Make sure you get a good cool-down of a minimum of 10 minutes.
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Different Training Heart rates are used for Different Purposes
Training heart rates are ranges of percentages of your maximum heart rate (HRmax).
Each range is useful for different purposes and is associated with different fitness benefits.
Training heart rate 50-60% HRmax- Great for recovery sessions.
Training heart rate 60-70% HRmax- Improves the heart's ability to pump blood- Increases the number of small blood vessels in your muscles- Increases the enzymes in your muscles responsible for oxygen metabolism- Increases the strength of your muscles, tendons, ligaments and bones- Improves your endurance- Burns fat as the body's main energy source at this intensity
Training heart rate 70-80% HRmax- Also called the "steady state" because it's the fastest pace you can maintain for long periods of time (for example, a competitive Ironman athlete will race near this intensity)- Accustoms the body with a faster pace- Improves endurance- Begins to raise the speed you can maintain without building up lactic acid (your anaerobic threshold)- The more fit you are, the greater the percentage of fat your body uses as fuel, enabling you to perform longer at this rate while preserving limited stores of glycogen
Training heart rate 80-90% HRmax- At this intensity, you begin to "go anaerobic" and build up lactic acid (reach your anaerobic threshold)- Your anaerobic threshold increases along with your fitness- This intensity can be maintained for about one hour in competition
Training heart rate 90-100% HRmax- Is only needed for sprint training - racing over short distances (track sprinters, short-distance swimmers). |
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A Healthy Heart Through Training
The cardiovascular system serves several important functions in the body.
For example, it delivers oxygen and nutrients to and removes carbon dioxide and metabolic waste products from every cell in the body. Your body's cardiovascular system has three components:
The heart (cardiac muscle)
The blood vessels
The blood
The heart is the pump that 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 you are training, the more fuel your muscles need and the harder your heart has to work to pump oxygen-rich blood to the muscles.
As you get more fit, 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 - so both your resting heart rate and your exercise heart rate (at any given exertion level) decrease.
Heart rate is one of the simplest and most informative of the cardiovascular parameters. When you start training, your heart rate increases rapidly in proportion to the intensity of the training. In Polar Heart Rate Monitors the transmitter in the belt detects the electrocardiogram (ECG), the electric signal originating from your heart. The transmitter then sends an electromagnetic signal to the Polar wrist receiver, which shows you information about your heart rate. |
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Fluid Balance
Whether you're training in hot or cold weather, you need to drink frequently.
Over long-term activity, your exercise tolerance decreases because of the water your body loses through sweating - unless you adequately replace the lost fluids. For marathon runners, fluid losses can be as high as 5.4 liters (1.5 gallons) per hour.
If you don't drink enough, you become dehydrated and your body's total blood volume drops. Because the heart has access to less blood, it has to pump faster to circulate the same amount of blood - and your heart rate rises. If you don't replace the lost fluids by drinking, your heart rate will increase, and your ability to perform will decrease rapidly.
So drinking fluids during exercise has several benefits:
Fights dehydration
Offsets body temperature increase
Minimizes cardiovascular stress |
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Introducing Training Changes
Our bodies take time to adapt. Give yours the opportunity adjust slowly to any changes you make in your training routine. The following guidelines explain how.
Training Volume
The "10% rule" is a useful guideline. Don't increase the volume of your workouts (how much you exercise and for how long) by more than 10% per week. More experienced athletes can probably get away with increasing their volume by 15 or 20% during periods of lesser volume.
Training Intensity
Suddenly starting to do hard, 90% effort intervals is just asking for injury or overtraining stress. Instead, introduce harder training into your routine slowly and gradually. Start with just a few 80% effort repeats, and then build slowly to doing a full set of 85-90% intervals.
Equipment
Even a small change in your equipment or environment - your brand of running shoe, the type of surfaces or terrain you run on, the seat height or seat position of your bike or even the type of pedals you use - can stress your body and cause an injury. Introduce these kinds of changes with care, staying aware of what feels different. |
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Recovery
If you train very intensively, you need adequate recovery between training sessions.
Exercise puts positive stress on the body by forcing it to function outside its comfort zone. During rest, the body will make adjustments to better face the challenge next time you exercise. These adjustments are what will make your body stronger. In other words, fitness improves not during exercise but during rest. Giving your body ample time to recover from exercise is therefore crucial to getting fit.
Disregarding the need to rest and recover is quite common practice and may lead to injury, overtraining or fatigue. Resting properly isn't the same as skipping workouts or being lazy. Resting is about giving your body the time it needs to get stronger and fitter.
Suggestions for recovery:
Take one or two days off per week from exercising
Follow a hard workout day with an easy day
Don't be afraid to take a day off or reduce training if you're tired |
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Stretching
Whenever you exercise, be sure to stretch.
Stretch first after your warm-up, when your muscles aren't so tight, and again after the cool-down period. Stretching for five minutes after you warm up will improve your workout and help prevent injuries.
Why? Because repetitive exercise tends to reduce muscle flexibility. Also, tissues like muscle and skin lose elasticity with age. So if you increase the intensity or duration of your workouts, maintaining muscular flexibility in your lower legs, thighs, gluteals and back will become even more important.
There are stretching techniques for almost every major muscle group. If you aren't familiar with different techniques, consult any sports physiologist or coach for advice. Below are some tips to help you stretch properly no matter what technique you use.
Stretching Tips
Never stretch cold muscles. Be sure to warm them up before stretching.
Hold each stretch for 30-60 seconds to give your muscle time to adapt to the stretch.
Never bounce in a stretching pose or force a muscle into a position that causes pain.
Relax and breathe deeply and slowly while holding each stretch position.
If you are stretching your arms, legs or sides, remember to stretch both sides. |
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Tapering
Tapering refers to a period of easy training immediately before a competition.
Before an important race, you might take an entire week of easy, low-volume training (25% of your high-volume week with one or two short, sharp, faster sessions early in the week).
Before a regular weekend race, you might take two to four days easy.
Rest to be at your best! |
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Warming up and Cooling Down
Much like a high-performance car on a cold winter morning, our bodies need to start with a slow "warm-up" period before we can increase the pace into a full workout.
This crucial period allows blood to be directed from the abdominal organs and towards the exercising muscle so that it can get the oxygen and energy it needs. Blood also moves toward the skin to allow the extra heat created to escape, causing the body to sweat.
At the end of a workout, the cool-down period allows the body to flush out metabolic waste from exercise, such as lactic acid. It also ensures that the heart rate and distribution of blood flow returns to normal gently.
Warm-Up Examples
For Beginners:
Run - 10 minutes starting at a fast walk, easing into a slow, comfortable jog
Cycle - 10 minutes spinning (pedaling with a high cadence of 90-100 revs per minute) easily in a low gear
Swim - 10 minutes easy swimming in varied strokes, also taking the time to practice stroke drills and technique
For Competitive Athletes:
Run - 5-10 minutes warm-up for runs up to 80% HRmax. 15-20 minutes for hard intervals or time trials, finishing the warm-up with a thorough stretching session.
Cycle - 10-15 minutes warm-up for any ride up to 80% HRmax. 30 minutes warm-up for hard intervals or time trials, finishing the warm-up with a thorough stretching session.
Swim - 800m using different strokes, stroke drills. |
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Why use a heart rate monitor?
By monitoring heart rate, the simple observation that the harder we exercise, the faster our heart beats is put to good use. Professional athletes and amateurs alike have for decades been relying on the information provided by their heart rate monitor for the following reasons:
A heart rate monitor is like a rev counter, giving a precise measurement of exercise intensity.
Training at your own ideal pace is made possible with a heart rate monitor.
Direct measurement of heart rate during exercise is the most accurate way to gauge performance.
Progress can be monitored and measured, increasing motivation.
It maximizes the benefits of exercise in a limited amount of time.
It introduces objective observation. Are you on the right track? Are you improving?
It is a tool for regulating frequency and intensity of workouts.
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. |
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Measuring for the best fit with your chest transmitter
Because Polar offers more than one size (elastic strap sizing), we would like to help you have the proper fit.
The measurement for the transmitter should be taken right below the pectoral muscles, or breasts. If you are borderline between two sizes, go with the next size larger.
Transmitter sizes are calculated in inches and should be based on personal comfort level. If you order the incorrect size, you can exchange just the elastic strap portion of the transmitter, or order a replacement located in the strap area of accessories. |
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How to take care of your product:
Care of the Transmitter -
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.) |
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How to use a chest transmitter
To take off the chest transmitter, twist the connection as if you are ringing out a kitchen towel.
To keep the chest transmitter clean, simply wipe off with a clean towel after each use. Occasionally wash in a washing machine on cold with a small amount of detergent. Hang dry. |
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Abnormal Heart Rate Readings During Exercise
There can be several reasons for abnormal or irregular readings during exercise. Due to the same reasons, heart rate may stay at the same value for a long time or the heart rate stays at zero (0).
1. Poor contact between the skin and the electrodes of the transmitter
For accurate heart rate measurement, the contact between skin and the electrodes should be as good as possible. Polar transmitters measure the ECG signal from the chest, where it is the strongest. The weak heart-generated signals need to be accurately measured before the calculation of the heart rate. It is therefore important to ensure that the contact between the skin and the electrodes is as good as possible.
Here are some tips how to ensure good contact:
1.1. Moisten the grooved electrode areas on the back of the transmitter. At the beginning of the exercise session your skin may be dry and the moisture will help ensure better contact. When you start to sweat the contact will improve because the salt in the sweat conducts the electrical signals very well. Saliva is a good conductor as well. However, if you have a WearLink31 or WearLink W.I.N.D transmitter, it is essential that you moisten the electrodes well under the tap water before the exercise.
1.2. Tighten the elastic strap of the transmitter. If the transmitter is loose, the movement of the electrodes disturbs the detection of the ECG signal. If the standard strap does not fit satisfactorily, larger and smaller elastic straps are available as accessories.
1.3. The type of the ECG signal slightly varies from person to person. The form of the ECG signal can depend on form of the chest, the anatomical location and position of the heart, position of the electrodes and the amount of body fat. If the ECG signal is weak, disturbances can more easily spoil the signal. Find the best contact by turning the transmitter left or right, or place it lower or higher. There have been cases where the transmitter detects the heart rate better when it is turned upside down so that the Polar logo is upside down and facing out, or even when attached on the persons back with the Polar logo upside down and facing out.
1.4. For active sports like aerobics or marathons, women can use the accessory Heart Bra which makes the transmitter stay in place better. Ask your local Polar dealer or distributor for the availability of this product.
1.5. Hairy chest may also weaken the contact. Try to find the best possible position for transmitter.
1.6. In demanding cases, use conductive electrode lotion or gel to improve the contact. After using them, it is very important to wash the transmitter carefully. However, it is not recommended to use conductive electrode lotion or gel when using the WearLink31 or WearLink W.I.N.D transmitter since the lotion or gel can block the electrode area. |
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Low heart rate display during exercise?
If you are experiencing "low" heart rate readings during exercise please check to make sure your monitor is not set to display heart rate as a percentage of your maximum HR. If this is the case you will notice a % icon next to the heart rate display in measurement or exercise mode.
Please refer to your user manual for instructions on how to switch the heart rate display back to BPM. If you do not have your user manual, you can download an electronic copy from the following link. |
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Trouble Shooting problems with your Polar Transmitters
1. Is the transmitter belt worn correctly? The belt should be flat against the skin, with the Polar logo right side up.
2. Are the electrodes on the transmitter moist? Moistening the transmitter electrodes is essential for good skin contact to obtain reliable and accurate readings.
3. Is the transmitter clean? Regular cleaning of the electrodes is recommended - see Care and Maintenance guide or User manual.
4. Is the receiver within a 3 foot range from the transmitter?
5. Are the heart rate signals very high and abnormal? Relocating the receiver may help. Check the list of sources of disturbances in this document below.*
6. Check that there are no other transmitters within 3 feet if you have a non-coded Polar HRM. Other Polar HRMs can cause inteference.
7. Has the receiver battery been changed by an unauthorized party causing internal damage to the receiver? If not sealed properly, moisture can enter the receiver causing permanent damage to the internal components.
8. Have the buttons been pressed under water, causing leakage in the receiver?
9. If the receiver display is frozen, carry out global reset, if your model has that feature (see the user's manual for global reset instructions).
10. The chemicals in some swimming pools and seawater may effect the ECG signal pick up by the transmitter resulting in abnormal readings.
11. The ECG signal strength varies depending on the individual's tissue composition. The percentage of people who have problems in heart rate measuring is higher in water environment than in normal use.
12. If you are a heart patient, have a second person use the unit under the same conditions and see if the problem still exists.
*Sources of electromagnetic signals can cause erratic and faulty heart rate readings. Such sources include other heart rate monitors, televisions, computers, cars, electric motors, bike computers, mobile phones, antennas, high voltage power lines, electric/invisible fences and certain motor driven exercise equipment. The problem can usually be resolved by relocating the receiver. Static build up in certain clothing can also cause interference.
May I replace the battery in the Receiver myself?
We recommend that you send your heart rate monitor to one of Polar’s authorized service centers, as the receiver should be tested for water resistance using special equipment after battery replacement. However, if water resistance is not a concern, you may take your receiver to a local watch repair shop for battery replacement. Please make sure to inform them that your unit is water resistant. |
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Display is blank or fading in the Heart Rate Monitor
This may be a consequence of low battery voltage. This event is normal if the temperature is near 0 Celsius degrees (+32 Fahrenheit). However, if this appears in room temperature, it is sign that the product needs a new battery. This may also be tested by pressing light button. If the readings on the display go dimmer when light button is pressed the battery replacement is needed.
In case of battery replacement, it is recommended to be done in the local authorised Polar Service. |
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A Pacemaker and the Polar Heart Rate Monitor
Persons who have a pacemaker or defibrillator use the Polar heart rate monitor at their own risk. Before starting use, we always recommend an exercise test under doctor's supervision. The test is to ensure the safety and reliability of the simultaneous use of the pacemaker and the heart rate monitor.
The manufacturer of the defibrillator has to approve the simultaneous use of Polar Heart Rate Monitor and the defibrillator.
Technical information about radiated magnetic field of the transmitter:
Polar Non-Coded Transmitter:
Transmission frequency: 5kHz
Means of transmission: On/Off -modulation, magnetic field by means of a 5-7ms burst for each heart beat.
Polar Coded Transmitter:
Transmission frequency: 5kHz
Means of transmission: On/Off -modulation, magnetic field by means of a train of three 5ms bursts for each heart beat Time Interval Coding.
The strength of the magnetic field right next to the transmitter is 5 uT (micro tesla) and 1 nT at 1 m distance. Even in the worst case the radiated power is under 2 nW |
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POLAR
RS800G3 Running Computer Heart Rate Monitor with
W.I.N.D. Wearlink Coded Chest Transmitter
Color: Silver
Geared for: Cross-Training, Running, Multi-Sports, Speed-Distance
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| Retail Price $489.95 |
Sale Price $449.95 |
FREE OVERNIGHT SHIPPING
(Mon. - SAT.)
included |
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20 to 30 inches |
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30 to 45 inches |
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46 to 60 inches |
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Polar W.I.N.D. WindLink
transfer online real-time heart rate recording to a PC |
Replacement
W.I.N.D. Coded
Chest Transmitter
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G3 GPS
Sensor
provides speed, pace
and distance
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Universal
Bike Mount |
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Features:
This model is compatible with Polar's ProTrainer 5 software
click here for more information |
This model downloads to Polar's Personal Trainer website via OPTIONAL FlowLInk (see accessories on this page)
For examples - click here |
| Running: Distance summaries |
Running: Polar G3 GPS Sensor W.I.N.D.
If you’re seriously into multisport activities you’ll want to measure your speed and distance across more than just running. With the G3 GPS Sensor W.I.N.D. you’ll be able to accurately track your movement whether your training involves canoeing, mountain biking, rowing or Nordic skiing. The perfect solution for measuring speed and distance across land, snow and water. The inbuilt sensitive SIRF III GPS system provides highly reliable GPS reception even in wooded areas. |
| Running: Run Distance |
| Running: OPTIONAL Running Cadence and Average Stride Length with a Polar s3 (see accessories on this page) |
Running: Running Index
Running Index is based on heart rate and speed data measured during the running workout. It gives daily information about the runner’s performance level, both aerobic fitness and running economy. Improvement in running efficiency indicates improved economy of running performance. |
| Running: Running route elevation profile |
| Running: Shoe selection |
| Running: Speed displayed in pace, or kmph/mph |
Running: Speed/Pace and Distance
Motivate your training sessions with accurate distance, speed (km/h or miles/h) and pace (min/km or min/mile). Running speed/pace and distance are measured with the Polar S1 foot pod or Polar s3 stride sensor W.I.N.D. that is attached to the runner’s shoe. |
| Running: Speed/Pace lock |
| Running: Speed/Pace summaries |
| Running: Speed/Pace target zones |
| Running: Target pace |
| Running: Target pace alarms |
| Running: Time and Distanced based interval timer |
| Running: Totals mileage, kilocalories, time training |
| Running: Trip Odometer |
Running: OPTIONAL Polar s3 stride sensor™ W.I.N.D. (see accessories on this page)
Everyone knows how to run, but how many people know how to run properly? For that you need insight into the stride itself. That’s where the s3 stride sensor comes in. More than just speed and distance, this small and lightweight durable sensor measures each stride you take, helping you analyze the effectiveness and efficiency of your run. Provides you with information on how to improve your running technique – in competitive situations, shorter or faster strides can have a dramatic impact on your performance. With interference-free speed/pace and distance data you’re able to evaluate and analyze your individual performance accurately and the sensor can be mounted securely and unobtrusively to training shoe laces or placed inside the specially designed mid-sole cavity in adiFusion MC and adiStar Fusion running shoes. |
GPS: Battery type
AA |
GPS: Full power mode (up to 30 hours with an optional lithium battery)
average 10 hours |
| GPS: Low battery indicator |
GPS: Low power battery mode
average 15 hours |
| GPS: SIRF-III chipset |
| GPS: Shock resistant |
| GPS: Speed and Distance |
| GPS: WAAS support (wide area augmentation system) |
GPS: Water resistant
20m |
| Altimeter: Altitude with graphical trend - available via PC software |
| Altimeter: Cumulative Ascent and Descent - available via PC software |
| Exercise: Altitude, ascent and descent |
| Exercise: Automatic lap recording |
| Exercise: Average heart rate of each lap |
Exercise: Average heart rate of total exercise
A figure expressed in beats per minute (bpm) representing the average heart rate measured over a specific period of time (e.g. a training session). |
| Exercise: Exercise Date |
Exercise: Exercise Set (extended exercise profiles)
Create training sessions with individual settings for duration and heart rate limits. A feature that allows selecting exercise programs for interval training including heart rate target zones and recovery calculations. |
Exercise: HR-based target zones with audible alarm
3 alarms |
Exercise: HR-based target zones with visual alarm
3 alarms |
| Exercise: HRmax (Polar Fitness test-based) |
| Exercise: HRmax (age-based) |
Exercise: Interval timers
The freely programmable Interval Trainer will automatically guide you through the interval training session with the help of the preset training phases: warm-up with a target heart rate zone and a countdown timer, up to 30 intervals with a target heart rate zone (after each interval you have a recovery calculation option), cool-down with a target heart rate zone and a countdown timer. |
| Exercise: Interval trainer (HR, pace, distance) guided workouts |
| Exercise: Maximum heart rate of each lap |
| Exercise: Maximum heart rate of total exercise |
| Exercise: Minimum heart rate of total exercise |
Exercise: Number of laps
99 laps |
Exercise: Polar Fitness Test™ with OwnIndex®
A fitness test that measures your aerobic fitness at rest in just five minutes. The result, Polar OwnIndex, predicts your maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max ). With the Polar Fitness Test you can measure your aerobic fitness by yourself, automatically and without any exertion. No other equipment other than a heart rate monitor is needed. The Polar Fitness Test is as accurate in predicting the VO2max as any submaximal fitness test. The test is based on gender, age, height, body weight, level of physical activity, heart rate and heart rate variability at rest. The result, OwnIndex, ranges usually from 20 to 95 and is comparable to VO2max, the golden standard of aerobic fitness. OwnIndex is most meaningful when following changes in your fitness over a long period of time. Find out how fit you are for your age and gender by comparing your result to the global references listed in the Polar user manuals.
Validity of a test means that the test measures what it is supposed to measure and not something else. The Polar Fitness Test was originally developed on 305 healthy Finnish men and women in a study, where VO2max prediction was developed using artificial neural network analysis. The correlation coefficient between the laboratory measured VO2max and the neural network prediction value was 0.97 and the mean error in the VO2max prediction was 6.5 % which is good compared to any other predictive tests of VO2max.
In further development of the test, 119 fitness measurements of healthy American men and women were included in the final development of the neural network, making a total of 424 subjects. Based on these results the artificial neural network was modified into Polar Fitness Test. The test was validated in a study on 52 healthy men, who didn't belong to the group on whom the test was developed. The mean deviation in the Polar Fitness Test prediction was less than 12 %. The validity of the Polar Fitness Test is considered to be good.
The reliability of a test is a measure of how consistent and reproducible the test results are on consecutive trials. The reliability of the Polar Fitness Test is good. When 11 subjects repeated the test in the morning, in the middle of the day and in the evening during eight days, in both sitting and laying positions, the average individual standard deviation of consecutive test results was less than 8 % from the individual mean value. The standard deviations calculated separately for each time of the day were all smaller than the standard deviation of all results. This indicates that the test can be conducted at any time of the day but it should always be repeated at about the same time.
What does the OwnIndex tell you?
In every fitness test you need to know what the given result means to benefit from it. In Polar Fitness Test the person gets a score, Polar OwnIndex, which is comparable to VO2max (maximal oxygen uptake in ml.min-1.kg-1), a commonly used descriptor of aerobic fitness. VO2max is a good indicator of performance in endurance sports.
The range of the OwnIndex is the same as that for VO2max, from 25 which can be measured for unfit sedentary individual to 95 which is the level reached by Olympic athletes such as top cross-country skiers. VO2max is highest in sports that involve large muscle groups such as cross-country skiing and cycling. Fitness tests are most useful when following individual progress by comparing new results to previous ones.
Comparing test results to population norms
National norms can be used to compare individual test results to the average values of those with the same age and gender. For this comparison up-to-date results measured in a large sample of a representative population are needed. Below is one example of average values presented as mean and standard deviation (SD) values according to the age group (Fletcher et al. 1995).
Age VO2max in ml.min-1.kg-1 (SD)
Men Women
20-29 43(7) 36(7)
30-39 42(7) 34(6)
40-49 40(7) 32(6)
50-59 36(7) 29(5)
60-69 33(7) 27(5)
Individual OwnIndex can be compared to the population norms as follows:
one standard deviation around the mean (half of SD up and half down) represents "average fitness". E.g. for a 33-year-old woman an index between 31-37 (34-3 and 34+3) represents "average fitness" compared to other women of the same age. An index less than 31 is below the average and an index more than 37 is above the average. |
Exercise: OwnCal®
Counts and displays calorie expenditure. The Polar OwnCal feature shows your energy expenditure during one exercise session as well as your accumulated kilocalories during several exercise sessions.
You can set daily and weekly exercise goals in terms of calorie expenditure with the OwnCal feature. Because the OwnCal tracks both the energy expenditure during one exercise session and the accumulated kilocalories during a longer time e.g. one week, it helps in achieving both short term and long term goals. |
Exercise: Polar OwnCode® (5kHz)
Measures your fitness level in 5 minutes. A fitness test that measures your aerobic/cardiovascular fitness at rest in just five minutes. The result, Polar OwnIndex, predicts your maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max).
With the Polar Fitness Test you can measure your aerobic fitness by yourself, automatically and without any exertion. No other equipment other than a heart rate monitor is needed. The Polar Fitness Test is as accurate in predicting the VO2maxas any sub-maximal fitness test.
The test is based on gender, age, height, body weight, level of physical activity, heart rate and heart rate variability at rest. The OwnIndex ranges usually from 20 to 95 and is comparable to VO2max, the golden standard of aerobic fitness.
OwnIndex is most meaningful when following changes in your fitness over a long period of time. Find out how fit you are for your age and gender by comparing your result to the global references listed in the Polar user's manuals. |
Exercise: Polar OwnOptimizer™
Polar OwnOptimizer test is an easy and reliable way to determine whether your training program is optimally developing your performance. Based on the test, you are provided with a scale and description of your personal training status.
Polar OwnOptimizer is an easy and reliable way to determine whether your training program is optimally developing your performance. OwnOptimizer is a modification of a traditional orthostatic overtraining test (standing up from relaxed resting). It is a perfect tool for everyone training regularly, at least three times a week, for fitness improvement or to reach competitive targets. OwnOptimizer helps you to optimize your training load during a training program so that you experience an increase in performance and do not undertrain or overtrain over the long-term.
Polar OwnOptimizer is based on heart rate and heart rate variability measurements consisting of five heart rate parameters. Two of these five values are calculated at rest, one while standing up and two while standing. Each time you perform the test, the Running Computer saves the heart rate values and compares them to the previous values registered.
Baseline tests
When you start using OwnOptimizer for the first time, six baseline tests should be conducted over a period of two weeks to determine your personal baseline value. These baseline measurements should be taken during two typical basic training weeks, not during heavy training weeks. The baseline measurements should include measurements taken after training and recovery days.
Monitoring your OwnOptimizer values
After the baseline recordings, you should continue to perform the test 2-3 times a week. Test yourself weekly in the morning following a recovery day and a heavy training day (or a series of heavy training days). An optional third test can be performed after a normal training day.
OwnOptimizer may not provide reliable information during detraining or a very irregular training period. If you take a break from exercise that is 14 days or longer, the baseline tests should be performed again. |
Exercise: Polar OwnZone®
Determines personal heart rate limits for an exercise session. The Polar OwnZone (OZ) feature determines an individual exercise zone. It guides you through an appropriate warm-up routine and automatically determines a safe and effective exercise heart rate zone - your OwnZone - while taking into account your current physical condition. Polar Heart Rate Monitors use multiple methods for determining your OwnZone. The primary method is to measure your heart rate variability during the warm-up period before exercising. If the measurement is not successful, your latest saved OwnZone limits are used. If there are no previous limits in the memory, the Polar Heart Rate Monitor will automatically calculate OwnZone limits based on your age-predicted maximum heart rate (220 minus age). You should determine your OwnZone at the beginning of your workout whenever you change exercise environment and/or exercise mode or if your mental state changes when feeling stressed, for instance. The OwnZone Basic corresponds to 65-85 % of the maximum heart rate. Exercise at the lower end of this intensity level can be conducted for extended periods safely and often yields the best results for weight control, while exercise at the upper end of this intensity produces the best results for improving cardiovascular (aerobic) fitness. The OwnZone Advanced feature consists of two training areas: OwnZone Low and OwnZone High, providing greater variations in exercising than the OwnZone Basic area, which can be rather wide for more focused training.
The Polar OwnZone feature determines automatically an individual and safe training heart rate zone during the warm-up period (from 1 to 5 /2 to 10 minutes depending on the model) of an exercise session. This zone is called your OwnZone.
OwnZone suits the needs of people who exercise for either health or fitness.
Heart rate varies from heartbeat to heartbeat. The OwnZone determination is based on this heart rate variability (HRV). Heart rate variability is the variation in times between successive heartbeats.
The HRV of healthy heart is generally large in resting conditions and during light exercise and decreases as the heart rate and exercise intensity increase.
The HRV almost disappears when the exercise intensity is approximately 65% of the HRmax. The lower limit of the OwnZone is specified at this point.
In general, the individual OwnZone lower limit varies by 5-10 bpm, but occasionally, variations up to 30 beats can occur due to physiological factors. There is normal daily variation in the HRV, and stress, illness, unusual heavy exercise etc influence it. In addition, the sport you choose has an influence on OwnZone as well. It is recommended to determine the OwnZone before every exercise session.
There are different types of OwnZone features in Polar heart rate monitors (depending on the model) – OwnZone basic and OwnZone advanced.
The percentage values show how OwnZone corresponds to HRmax.
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Exercise: Polar Sports Zones
Polar sport zones provide an easy way to select and monitor the intensity of your training and to follow sport zones based training programs. The training is divided into five zones based on percentages of your maximum heart rate: very light (50-60%HRmax), light (60-70%HRmax), moderate (70-80%HRmax), hard (80-90%HRmax) and maximum (90-100%HRmax). |
Exercise: R-R Intervals / Online HR Variability
Measures your heartbeat intervals and reflects autonomic nervous system activity in heartbeat regulation. The R-R interval measurement is most useful at rest and at low intensities. Relaxation rate indicates the state of your physical recovery. |
| Exercise: Relaxation rate during exercise |
| Exercise: Wireless ECG accurate heart rate |
Exercise: ZoneLock
You can activate a target zone based on Polar sport zones with a press of a button during your training. You can also deactivate the zone alarm just as easily – by pressing a button. |
Exercise: ZonePointer
A visible and moving symbol on the display of your Polar product indicating that you are inside the pre-set target zone. |
Basic: Automatic age-based target zone (% / bpm)
%/bpm/HRR% |
| Basic: Backlight |
| Basic: Display zoom |
Basic: Easy start (setting wizard)
A feature where the receiver guides you through the necessary settings. |
Basic: Event Countdown Timer
Keeps your motivation high by showing how many days are left before your next running event (e.g. Berlin 23 days). |
| Basic: Graphical target zone indicator |
Basic: Heart rate (displayed as % of maximum heart rate)
A measurement of the work your heart does, expressed as % of your maximum heart rate. |
Basic: Heart rate (displayed as HRR%)
A measurement of the work your heart does, expressed as % of your heart rate reserve. |
Basic: Heart rate (displayed as bpm)
A measurement of the work your heart does, expressed as the number of beats per minute (bpm). |
| Basic: KeyLock |
| Basic: Over-sized display |
Basic: User configurable displays
all lines |
Basic: Visual and audible alarm in target zones
A feature informing you every time your heart rate and/or speed/pace exceeds the upper limit or falls below the lower limit of your target zone during a training session. |
Basic: Water resistant
30m
The running computer is water resistant. However, heart rate measurement does not work in water. You can use the running computer under water as a watch but it is not a diving instrument. To maintain water resistance, do not press the buttons of the running computer under water.
Polar products may be worn when swimming. They are not, however, diving instruments. To maintain water resistance, do not press the buttons of the product under water. When measuring heart rate in water, you may experience interference for the following reasons:
Pool water with high chlorine content, and seawater are very conductive. The electrodes of the transmitter may short-circuit, preventing ECG signals from being detected by the transmitter.
Jumping into water or strenuous muscle movement during competitive swimming may shift the transmitter to a location on the body where ECG signals cannot be picked up.
The ECG signal strength is individual and may vary depending on the individual’s tissue composition. Problems occur more frequently when measuring heart rate in water.
In the watch industry water resistance is generally indicated as meters of water pressure, which means static pressure of water at the level in question. Polar uses this same indication system. Water resistance of Polar products is tested according to International Standard ISO 2281. Every Polar device that has water resistance indication is tested before the delivery to stand water pressure.
Polar products are divided into three different categories according to their water resistance. Check the back of your Polar product for the water resistance category, and compare it to the chart below. Please note that these definitions do not necessarily apply to products of other manufacturers.
When performing any underwater activity, the dynamic pressure generated by moving in water is greater than the static pressure. This means that moving the product under water subjects it to a greater pressure than if the product were stationary.
When it says "water resistant" it means alright to be exposed to wash splashed, sweat, raindrops.
When it is a Polar Wearlink, and says "water resistant up to 30m" it means alright to be exposed to wash splashed, sweat, raindrops, bathing, swimming.
When it says " water resistant up to 50m" it means alright to be exposed to wash splashed, sweat, raindrops, bathing, swimming.
When it says "water resistant up to 100m" it means alright to be exposed to wash splashed, sweat, raindrops, bathing, swimming and skin diving with snorkel (no air tanks). |
Computer connectivity: Compatible with Polar ProTrainer 5™ software
click here for more detail |
Computer connectivity:Transfer exercise data from wrist unit to polarpersonaltrainer.com via Polar WebLink (SonicLink/Infrared)
Polar WebLink is a software used to transfer information from Polar products to the polarpersonaltrainer.com, the online training diary, for further analysis and storage. You can transfer data via IR communication.
Polar WebLink is compatible with the following Polar products:
AXN500, AXN700, CS200, CS300, CS400, CS600, F6, F11, F55, RS200, RS400, RS800, S410, S510, S520, S610, S610i, S625X, S710, S710i, S720i, S725, S725X, S810, S810i. |
| Data transfer: OPTIONAL Polar IrDA USB Adapter or internal/external non-Polar IrDA adapter (see accessories on this page) |
Recording: Average heart rate
A figure expressed in beats per minute (bpm) representing the average heart rate measured over a specific period of time (e.g. a training session). |
Recording: Calorie expenditure (Exercise/Weekly/Total/Fat%)
The feature in Polar Heart Rate Monitors calculating the number of kilocalories expended during exercise is called OwnCal. This function allows you to follow the kilocalories expended during one exercise session (exercise on display) and cumulative kilocalories expended during several exercise sessions (total on display). The fat-burning percentage (fat% on display) estimate kilocalories expended from fat during a workout and is expressed as a percentage of the total kilocalories burned. |
Recording: Exercise Time (total)
The time you have trained with the stopwatch running. The Total Exercise Time feature keeps track of your cumulative training time since last resetting the counter. This feature gives you yet another way to set daily or weekly training goals for yourself. |
| Recording: Exercise file info page with date and time |
| Recording: Lap info |
| Recording: Last OwnIndex |
Recording: Maximum heart rate
The highest number of heart beats per minute (bpm) during maximum physical exertion. The HRmax -p score predicts your individual maximum heart rate. The most accurate way of determining your individual HRmax is to perform a maximal exercise stress test in a laboratory. For a rough estimate of your maximum heart rate subtract your age from 220. HRmax is a useful tool for determining the intensity of training. |
| Recording: Memory left indication |
Recording: Number of exercise files (with summaries)
99 files - The number of exercise files stored in your heart rate monitor. An exercise file includes total exercise time, time in target zone and average heart rate. |
| Recording: R-R Recording |
Recording: Recording rate
1s,5s,15s,60s
Depending on the Polar product model and accessories used, the samples of your heart rate, speed, cycling cadence, power and altitude are stored in 1, 5, 15 or 60 second intervals. A longer interval gives you more recording time, while a shorter interval allows you to record more detailed data. A shorter recording rate uses the memory of the running and cycling computer up more rapidly. The remaining recording time is shown at the start of the workout or on the bottom row of the product display when setting the recording rate. The samples recorded during your workout are transferred to the software where they can be used to further analyse your training. |
| Recording: Target zone limits |
Recording: Time in target zone
The Time in Target Zone feature calculates the amount of total training time spent in your personal target zone. You can use this feature together with the Total Exercise Time to determine the effectiveness of your training program. |
| Cycling: OPTIONAL Bike Mount (see accessories on this page) |
| Watch: Alarm with snooze |
| Watch: Date and weekday indicator |
Watch: Dual time zone
A feature that allows you to choose between two time zones. |
| Watch: Exercise reminder (visual/alarm) |
| Watch: Low battery indicator |
| Watch: Reminders (visual/alarm) |
| Watch: StopWatch |
| Watch: Time of day (12/24h) with alarm |
| Watch: User replaceable battery |
Transmitter: Polar W.I.N.D. WearLink® coded transmitter (changeable battery)
included in product |
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