Polar Own Optimiser question
28/11/2007 by Tris.
Apologies for contacting you again, however I do have a query about the polar products but don’t have my order number (my girlfriend bought my RS800 for me last month). My query is I have been a life long support of polar products and really like them. I currently own a RS800SD. I do about 8-12 hours training a week and have been training at this level for about 3 years. However this year didn’t see much of an improvement in my performances. At the time I was worried that I was over training. Therefore I took a break of about 1.5 months and then bought the RS800SD to use the Polar Optimiser to keep track of my recovery levels as I restarted my training.I have restarted my training and test myself everyday as I train everyday. I do mix it up with a long run at the weekend and interval session mid week. However the optimiser is reporting “stagnant training” and has done for the past few weeks. Even though this morning when I woke up I definitely felt tired (I did my running intervals and a hard 1hour turbo yesterday). The fact that the optimiser is reporting stagnant training should mean something to me, but I don’t know what. I was thinking that perhaps the optimiser is testing how tired my cardio system was so I might be feeling tired because my muscles are tired, but my cardio is un stressed and is not the limiting factor? As you can probably tell I don’t know, and would appreciate any advice you had on the matter?PLEASE HELP - ADVISE - thanks ANON
REPLY from Tris at heart rate monitor shop
Many thanks for your emailPlease follow this link for a full explanation of the Polar OwnOptimiser results - OWN OPTIMISER Personally, i think the problem is that you are not having ANY rest days.
The OwnOptimiser works best when used the morning after a heavy training day, and hte morning after a rest day.
This information is taken from the Polar manual, and the link I have pasted above:
>>> Polar manual >>>
Monitoring 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 both 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 in a very irregular training period. If you take a break from exercise for 14 days or longer, the baseline tests should be performed again.
>> TH comment again >>>
The OwnOptimiser is monitoring the difference between your resting heart rate status on days after training, versus days after resting.
You are not resting so it sees all the results as the same… thus stagnant….
I would recommend adding at least ONE REST DAY and make sure you perform an OwnOptimiser the morning after that
Perform ONLY TWO other OwnOptimiser tests in the week, following training days.
Let me know how you get on
LINKS : Polar RS800 - Polar RS800 G3 - Polar RS800 SD
Polar multisport heart rate monitor
15/11/2007 by Tris.
When are Polar heart rate monitors going to produce a TRUE multisport HRM. The old Polar S725X could support bike speed, bike cadence, run speed ( via foot pod) and optional bike POWER. The new RS800 cannot support POWER and the new CS600 cannot support the foot POD or GPS…. nor does it fit on the wrist…
It seems to be a big hole in their otherwise excellent line up??
Polar RS800 heart rate monitor
Polar CS600 cyclists heart rate monitor
Good job the Polar S725x is still available Polar S725x multi sport heart rate monitor
UPDATE UPDATE 2009 UPDATE UPDATE
Polar now have the new Polar RS800CX available in 3 main packages Polar RS800CX RUN (with foot pod) Polar RS800CX BIKE (with bike pod) and Polar RS800CX Multi with G3 GPS
GPS or Foot POD
12/11/2007 by Tris.
We’ve been using heart rate monitors with both GPS and foot pod accelerometers for 4 years now. The Garmin Forerunner 301 was the first GPS based unit we used. The Nike CV10 was the first foot pod style heart rate monitor.
From our own tests:
http://www.heartratemonitor.co.uk/footpod_accelerometers_inertia.html this is the link
We’ve found that there isn’t much difference at all. Personally I prefer foot pod style as the batteries last that much longer, and you don’t notice the pod on your shoe. Although… GPS is convenient as it works for any outdoor sport, and it doesn’t require calibration…… that said… 90% + of our customers don’t need to calibrate the foot pods….
What do you think?
Essential heart rate monitor features
12/11/2007 by Tris.
We’ve reviewed over 100 heart rate monitors in 10 years…. what do people really want from a heart rate monitor? Personally I think that there are some HRM on the market that are over complicated… What do you think??