Polar AXN 700 Watch

Count on the Polar AXN 700 watch ensures you're ready for whatever nature throws at you. This altimeter/heart rate monitor contained in a titanium case shows your current altitude reading with graphical trend curve and your vertical progress. Keep track of your laps with the Slope counter and check your pace down the mountain or up the rock with the Vertical speed feature. The barometer allows you to track the changing weather, while the compass keeps you on course. The AXN 700 comes with the Polar WearLink 31 coded transmitter. The AXN 700 includes the heart rate rest test to determine if your body is acclimated to the extreme conditions. The OwnIndex feature tests your fitness level, so you can set a baseline and track your improvements. The OwnCal feature monitors your energy expenditure (calories) so you know when to refuel. –Vendor *Available for US shipment only.

$399.95

Ultimate Fitness Geek Watch
Bought the watch b/c it is the first watch that had all the features that I was looking for. I like the ability to download to the PC. It's much better than writing my workouts down on a calendar. I actually wear my heart rate monitor when I lift weights. That way I have a better idea of my total workout plan. This watch has more features than I have used to date. The watch is very intuitive to use, and the software is everything I had hoped for. The only down side was figuring out how to set up the infrared port. Come to find out the Polar IR port is not compatible. Just go to your local computer store and buy an IRDa Communication USB Port. After I did that my watch talked to my PC with no problems. Bottom line; I would definitely buy this watch again.

Great watch, pitty about the paint
I would give this watch a 5/5 however the final coating on the watch (a matte-style silver) appears to get very easily scratched. On the small part underneath your wrist, I have had mine just 2 weeks and already it's very, very scratched looking. I think they need to improve the type of coating used. Other than that it's a great watch! The HeartRate Monitor Band is very comfortable to wear! Highly recommended!

Update review...
Well I have been using and wearing the watch daily for the past two months while mountain biking, swimming, and weightlifting and here are my impressions: 1) This watch is thick! It is comfortable during the day, but if you sleep with your watch on it can be uncomfortable. 2) With the optional clear crystal protectors on, and I have not scratched or otherwise damaged the watch. 3) I am still extremely pleased with the software. It tracks my progress, allows me to place notes on weather, how I feel, etc., and serves as motivator. 4) I can go up to two weeks with out having to download my data to the PC before I run out of memory (and that’s at the highest recording rate of every 5 seconds). Seldom can I spend this kind of cash on something and not have buyer’s remorse, but this is one of those great products. I highly recommend this watch if you are athletic or just a fitness geek.

Training Tips

If you consume 100 calories a day more than you need, you will gain about 10 pounds in a year. A reasonable combination of diet and exercise can help control your weight. The key is to balance your caloric intake with the amount of exercise.

You can increase your maximum oxygen consumption by approximately 15% when you work out three times a week for at least 30 minutes at 70% of your maximum heart rate.

Low weight, high rep circuit training combines the best of both worlds: aerobic and anaerobic training. Keeping the rest time in between high repeats low excercises like bench press, leg presses, inclined sit-ups, and upright rows is the key to maximum benefits.

As a long distance runner, a gradual increase in distance each week will allow you to build a solid areobic base. Distance increase should be no more than 10% of the previous week's distance.