Polar A5 Heart Rate Monitor Watch

The A5 fitness tool combines exercise guidance with valuable feedback about your workout. A built-in walking test (Self Walk Test™) will tell you how fit you are and help you set up your customized exercise program. The ZonePointer™ will keep you in your Target Zone, while the OwnCal™ calorie counter will help you manage your weight loss program. It also tells you how efficient your workout was by tracking your time in zone and total calories burned. The transmitter strap is included. *Available for US shipment only.

On Sale
~~$99.95~~ $89.95

Your own personal trainer
The Polar A5 is a must for anyone looking to take control of and get more feedback from their training sessions. It's amazing how inaccurate you are when trying to gauge your "rate of perceived exertion" just based on how you feel. Most of the time, you're overworking yourself. Having a heart rate monitor has helped me focus my training. I use it when I do outdoor running and when I do gym cardio (treadmill, elliptical and cycling). The great thing is that all cardio equipment at my gym have a Polar detector so that you can use the wrist monitor for following one reading and the cardio equipment to follow your heart rate. The only demerit about the polar A5 is that it only stores information on one file, so if you mistakenly start the stopwatch (which I did several times before getting the hang of it), your stored information will be erased. Not good if you're still at the gym and haven't recorded that info somewhere else. Otherwise, it's great and easy to use!

Polar A5 Heart Rate Monitor Watch
I like the features of this monitor, and the fact that the chest strap is a bit smaller and therefore more comfortable to wear during my workouts. The file feature is a nice way to track progress, as long as you write everything down after each exercise session. The buttons are easily accessible, perhaps too accessible as sometimes the 'start' or 'stop' button gets pushed inadvertantly, which loses my data or stops recording, which is frustrating. Also, when you update your personal settings (weight, primarily), the lower and upper heart rate limits automatically change, which is not too convenient. These minor flaws in the design of the monitor should not discourage anyone from buying and using one if it's your first monitor, but a serious fitness wonk will want something a bit more advanced.

A5 HR Monitor
It's a good step up from the very basic model I used to have. The only two things I don't like about it are that it won't show your HR and elapsed time at the same time (just a little annoying to have to push the button a couple times when you want to switch) and the ugly bluish watchband.

Polar A5 Heart Rate Monitor
Good product, comes with all you need to instantly use the heart rate monitor. The chest strap is reasonably comfortable and the watch itself is very easy to read while running/working out. Product works very consistently and is more reliable than the devices that are attached to treadmills, etc that you find at health clubs.

Polar HR monitor - basic but helpful
This monitor has good basic functions, and even stores the data in a file for reviewing after your workout. It is very reliable and has helped me tremendously in training.

Training Tips

Anaeroic threshold is when lactic acid starts to build up in your body as your muscles are not getting the oxygen they require. This threshold is typically expressed as a percentage of your VO2 max - the amount of oxygen per kilogram of weight that a person can use in converting fuel to energy. Elite athletes threshold might be as high as 90% of VO2 max.

Efficient running position allows you to run farther and faster. Keep the heel raise to a minimum, relax your upper body and hands, keep your upper body poised and quiet.

If you want to make progess in your training, join a running group. A commitment to meet on a regular basis with a group of like minded individuals will help you keep your focus.

An efficient long distance running stride will have you landing on your heal first and rolling to the front of your toes.