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Compare the Polar A-series heart rate monitorsThe Polar heart monitor A-series consists of the Polar A5, Polar A3, and the Polar F1. All of these models come standard with a wireless ECG accurate heart rate, records the total exercise time, has one exercise file, reports an average heart rate for the total exercise time. Each have the ability to set heart rate limits. Also, they are all water resistant to 30 meters and the displays all have large digits. There is also the optional bike mount for these monitors. All Polar A-series models measure the heart rate in beats per minute, the A-series also reports the rate in % of maximum heart rate. Both the A5 and A5 monitor your time in the target zone that you set, the F1 does not. Both A models show time of day in both 12 and 24 hour format and have an alarm. They also include a stopwatch and a date and weekday indicator. Each of the two A model report % of maximum heart rate, they have a target zones that signal when you are exceeded the target zone - signals are both viual and audible. What sets the A5 heart monitor apart from the A3 is the weight management features, specifically the body mass index and the OwnCal. The body mass index is a way to describe someone's body weight relative to their height. The formula for calculating the BMI is the weight in kilograms divided by the hieght in meters squared. Readings over 30 are an indication of obesity. The exception to this is for people who have large muscle mass, i.e. weight lifters. All of these Polar heart monitors provide basic monitoring, the A3 and A5 add reporting features that allow for comparison relative to your maximum heart rate.
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