Polar | Evolving Consumer

Polar Helps Users Determine their BodyAge

Many runners, cyclists and other top athletes swear by their heart rate monitor, and now Polar, one of the leaders in heart rate monitoring and fitness assessment technology, has introduced an integrated solution that will help users of all levels reach their fitness goals.

This is the BodyAge 5 software that is now available at health and fitness clubs nationwide. It analyzes a full range of health and fitness indicators, providing club members with a clear picture of their physical body age in comparison to their chronological age and overall fitness.

Users of the BodyAge 5 software are provided a questionnaire that evaluates the club member’s current physical activity level and medical history. In addition a series of tests that determine their cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, flexibility and body composition. Based on this information, the software creates a personalized fitness report, a customized cardio and strength training program and a health risk appraisal – giving them the tools they need – such as nutrition and prevention tips to reduce the risk of heart disease, stress and diabetes among other health-related issues. Continue reading Polar Helps Users Determine their BodyAge

Best Buy to Get Into Health and Fitness

It is hard not to love Best Buy. As a guy I love everything Best Buy, from the huge TVs to mobile phones, computers to even the appliances. But the truth is that Best Buy has also sort of been one of those stores that made me feel a little guilty too. It has so much stuff that I love; but yet very little “active” type products for on the go. While there are plenty of digital cameras, GPS devices and now tons of video games that claim to inspire fitness, the truth is that Best Buy remains about those big, big TVs that draw you in, where you just want to sit back on a couch and let the day pass you by.

However, the retailer has announced a new national rollout of health and fitness products at 600 Best Buy stores across the country as well as online at Bestbuy.com. This is truly a good thing, as it should help inspire – dare we say “guilt” – visitors to do something besides sit on a couch whilst enjoying Blu-ray and HDTV. This also comes just in time for all those New Years’ resolutions that we hope readers will keep.

“We were encouraged by the enthusiastic response we saw from our customers during the initial pilot of these health and fitness products,” said Chris Koller, vice president of the Portable Electronics Solutions Group at Best Buy. “We clearly tapped into a desire for Best Buy to provide the latest and greatest technology to enhance health regimens, and to help people discover how they can integrate these devices with other personal technology to monitor and share their progress, and to stay motivated.” Continue reading Best Buy to Get Into Health and Fitness

Fitness Journal: Water, Water (Bottles) Everwhere – Here’s on Hands On Test Recap

Over the past month we rode, we drank, we tested. We tried out many water bottles and wrote up the findings. Here is a recap of Brian O’Connor’s hands on tests of this year’s water bottles:

Nalgene ATB Bottle with Black Closure
The 32 oz version didn’t fit many cages, but the wide neck opening of the bottles made dropping in an ice cube no problem at all. Read the full review.

Specialized Purist
No bad taste, just pure water with this bottle, which mostly rinses clean. Read the full review.

BioGreen ProX
Want to use the same water bottle in a century? Most of the time you can, as the bottles aren’t so biodegradable – but the BioGreenX is made from 20 percent post industrial recycled plastic and should biodegrade in just two years. Read the full review.

Hydrapak Gel-Bot
Like a burst of energy with some gels? The Hydrapak can supply water and gel from one bottle. Read the full review.

Polar Insulated Bottle
On a hot summer ride nothing is better than a cool drink. Too bad most bottles let the liquid heat up to a temperature resembling bath water. Not the Polar Insulated Bottle. Read the full review.

Clean Bottle
Getting a bottle clean can sometimes be no easy task. Wouldn’t be easier if both the top and bottom came off? Oh wait, with the Clean Bottle they do! Read the full review.

CamelBak Podium Bottles
Ready to make a dash for the finish line. The CamelBak Podium Bottle might just have you on the podium. Read the full review.

Nalgene Bottles
Are you tired of the same old bottles? If so consider the variety offered by the Nalgene Bottles that are made from Tritan plastic. Read the full review.

Make Your Next Vacation a Fit Escape

A vacation on a tropical island where you plan to do nothing more than lay on the beach and dip your toe in the ocean sounds so tempting. But think of all the good you can do for your body if you spend the time working out under the direction of resort professionals.

Sugar Ridge Antigua has a Fit Escape package that includes hiking, ocean fitness, kayaking, Pilates and yoga among other activities. Skilled travelers can also go SCUBA diving, windsurfing and ziplining through the island’s tropical rainforest. Upon arrival, guests receive a postural alignment and body assessment using the Polar program. Polar equipment continues to monitor guests with the use of F2 watches and heart rate monitors. In addition, you’ll continue to get guidance on heart rate monitoring for weight loss, increased endurance and overall fitness throughout the stay. Continue reading Make Your Next Vacation a Fit Escape

Interbike 2010: Look Out, Kéo Power is Coming

There is an old saying that absolute power corrupts absolutely. That probably isn’t a concern however with Kéo Power, a new pedal from LOOK and Polar. This new technologically advanced cycling pedal is much more than the place where you foot goes.

The pedal actually measures an athlete’s power output, as well as left/right balance. You do the pumping, and sensors integrated with the pedal and crank accurately measure the results, sending the data directly to a Polar cycling computer on the bike’s handlebars.

The Kéo pedal is also the lightest clipless pedal in its class, made of injected carbon with a stainless steel 17-4PH axel. While we don’t think it will corrupt anyone, it will make training as absolutely effective as possible.

LOOK Official Website

Polar Official Website

Polar Introduces Active Monitor for Students

Monitoring progress is certainly a good way to stick with a fitness routine, and to that end Polar has introduced the Polar Active. This is designed for students of all ages, who want to improve their health and fitness. It measures the impact of daily activities, and can track just about every moment. With it users can monitor steps taken, calories burned and even time spent in various activity zones.

Students can use the Polar Active to measure and record their physical activity along, and the device can be used with PolarGoFit.com, an online service for teachers and students to monitor and track activity. The portal allows for easy documentation of activity data including daily and long-term progress as well as the ability to share reports with students, parents and school administrators. This can help encourage activity and motivate students to remain active for longer periods of time and maintain a healthy weight. Continue reading Polar Introduces Active Monitor for Students

Polar and Nike Partner Up for New Heart Rate Monitor

These are two companies that just go together so well, Polar and Nike. What’s not to like? So we’re quite pleased to note that Polar and Nike have introduced the Polar WearLink+ heart rate monitor, which will work with Nike+ SportBand and the Nike+ iPod Sport Kit.

The kit will improve the training experience of the Nike+, devices, such as Sportband or iPod. After training, runners can have their heart rate data transferred to the Nikeplus.com website, where it can be tracked to see how long they ran in their target range, and see how their heart rate progress over time. The WearLink+ is also compatible with most Polar training computers (those using 5kHz transmission technology), and this allows for monitoring from both Nike+ and Polar computers to be used at the same time.

The Polar WearLink+ will be available later this month in the United States, and in Canada and Europe in July through Polar retailers, Nike stores and even the Apple Store.

Polar website

Nike website

Polar Introduces Two New Heart Rate Monitors

One problem for many people when they first use a heart rate monitor is that there is just too much to understand. Many heart rate monitors can track so much of a workout that the learning curve for new users is difficult – and this can result in some just not bothering. That’s why the Polar FT1 and FT2 are such sound alternatives. These are designed for those who want to get fit and need a bit of motivation and exercise guidance along the way.

The FT1 is also designed for recreational exercisers, and works as a basic training computer. This means it has a large easy to see digital display. Users receive a training summary that includes information on the duration of their workout along with average and maximum heart rate. With the FT1 users can learn how to exercise at the right level, and since it is better to work out with others, it comes with a T31 coded transmitter to ensure that you don’t track your training buddy’s heart rate by mistake! The FT1 will be available in June for $69.95. The step-up FT2 adds automatic heart rate zone functionality, with visual and audible alarms to let people know when they need to slow it down or even pick up the pace. It will also provide workout summary. The FT2 will also be available in June for $89.95.

Cycle Computing Gets a New Design

In the bright sun, in a competitive road race, it can be difficult to read your cycle computer. And even harder to change the display. The Polar CS500 remedies that with a large diamond-shaped display and rocker switch operation. The computer mounts to any bike with a reinforced composite metal dual lock bike mount. In the mount the computer can be adjusted with the tap of your thumb with the two-way rocker switch. Toggle the display to track speed, distance, cadence, heart rate, calories burned, incline, altitude, ascent and descent and temperature. What the CS500 lacks is a GPS reading, which competitive cycle computers from Garmin and other manufacturers provide.

The CS500 is compatible with Polar’s W.I.N.D. technology, which eliminates the issue of data drop-outs or cross-talk between cycling computers and also includes 2.4 GHz transmission. The computer can be customized and used on up to three different bikes, and has a drink reminder that alerts you to hydrate on those long rides.

A bit pricey, the CS500 is for serious riders, mainly those who race. The base set includes the handlebar unit, WearLink W.I.N.D. fabric chest strap, CS speed sensor W.I.N.D., and Dual Lock Bike Mount for $319.95. The CS500 cadence set is $359.95, the Power Output Sensor W.I.N.D. is available as a separate accessory for $359.95, and DataLink, which connects wirelessly to your computer can be added on for $54.95.

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