Polar RCX3 GPS Heart rate monitor, running, fitness and multisport watch. With GPS G5, Wearlink, DataLink. For recreational runners and cyclists who want smart guidance while preparing for an event.
Heart rate is the measurement of the work your heart does. Heart rate can be expressed as the number of beats per minute or as percentage of your maximum heart rate. Heart rate can also be expressed as a percentage of your heart rate reserve, meaning the difference between your resting heart rate and maximum heart rate (HRR = HRmax - HRrest). In Polar software or during strength training, heart rate can be displayed as a graphical trend.
The highest number of heart beats per minute (bpm) during maximum physical exertion. For a rough estimate of your maximum heart rate, subtract your age from 220. HRmax is a useful tool for determining the intensity of training as intensity zones can be defined using HRmax. Some Polar products define maximum heart rate during the Polar Fitness Test, see also HRmax (Polar Fitness Test -based).
Polar Fitness Test measures your aerobic fitness at rest in just five minutes. The result, Polar OwnIndex, evaluates your maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). With the Polar Fitness Test you can measure your aerobic fitness by yourself, automatically and without any exertion. All you need is your training computer. The Polar Fitness Test is as accurate in predicting the VO2max as any sub maximal fitness test. The test is based on heart rate and heart rate variability at rest and personal information.
Polar OwnCal calculates the number of kilocalories expended during training. This feature allows you to follow the kilocalories expended during one training session and cumulative kilocalories expended during several training sessions. Some Polar products also estimate the fat-burning percentage (fat% on display), that is, kilocalories expended from fat during a workout which is expressed as a percentage of the total kilocalories burned.
Coded heart rate transmission automatically locks in a code to transmit your heart rate to the training computer. The training computer picks up your heart rate from your transmitter only. Coding significantly reduces interference from other training computers. The 2.4 GHz W.I.N.D transmission is disturbance-free from other electronic devices.
Polar sport zones provide an easy way to select and monitor the intensity of your training and to follow sport zones based training programs. Training is divided into five zones based on percentages of your maximum heart rate: very light (50-60%HRmax), light (60-70%HRmax), moderate (70-80%HRmax), hard (80-90%HRmax) and maximum (90-100%HRmax).
ZoneOptimizer adjusts personal sport zones for every training session based on your current physiological condition. This feature gives you the right heart rate zones depending on your physiological state at that exact moment, making sure that the you are always training at the right intensity.
The Training Benefit feature gives you instant feedback as text on your training computer after you finish your training session: first you get a short summary Benefit, and in the training result file there is a longer Benefit text. When you transfer your training result to polarpersonaltrainer.com, there is a more physiologically oriented Benefit explanation in the training result in your Diary. Training Benefit interprets the numeric data that your training computer records during your training session and explains what kind of effects the training session had on your body and fitness. The Training Benefit feature is available in certain training computers.
You can define settings up to two to three bikes in your training computer. When you start training, you can select the bike with the correct settings for that particular training session.
Your cycling cadence stands for your pedaling rate in revolutions per minute (rpm). Cadence is the central factor in improving cycling performance. A higher cadence reduces the force needed for each pedal stroke, and thus improves overall performance. Running cadence measures how many times your either right or left foot hits the ground in one minute. Running cadence is measured as steps per minute. With this feature you can sharpen your cadence and make your ground contact time shorter. This will help you to find a balance between leg power and leg speed.
You can define settings up to two to three bikes in your training computer. When you start training, you can select the bike with the correct settings for that particular training session.
Distance (km, mi) can be set and measured in several ways. Training distance tells you the distance traveled during a training session. Trip distance tells you the distance from the latest trip reset. Lap distance tells you the distance of one lap. Total distance is the distance accumulated since the last reset. Odometer tells you the cumulative distance which you cannot reset.
Distance (km, mi) can be set and measured in several ways. Training distance tells you the distance traveled during a training session. Trip distance tells you the distance from the latest trip reset. Lap distance tells you the distance of one lap. Total distance is the distance accumulated since the last reset. Odometer tells you the cumulative distance which you cannot reset.
Route mapping – opt. with polarpersonaltrainer.com web service
Running Index is based on heart rate and speed data measured during the run. It gives daily information about your performance level, both aerobic fitness and running economy. Improvement in running efficiency indicates improved economy of running performance.
Speed (km/h or mi/h) is measured with GPS, footpod, stride sensor or cycling speed sensor. Pace (expressed as min/km or min/mile) stands for the rate of speed. Pace is usually used in running. By setting a target pace, you can follow how fast you need to run in order to reach a certain distance in a predefined time.
Distance (km, mi) can be set and measured in several ways. Training distance tells you the distance traveled during a training session. Trip distance tells you the distance from the latest trip reset. Lap distance tells you the distance of one lap. Total distance is the distance accumulated since the last reset. Odometer tells you the cumulative distance which you cannot reset.
Route mapping – opt. with polarpersonaltrainer.com web service
Running Index is based on heart rate and speed data measured during the run. It gives daily information about your performance level, both aerobic fitness and running economy. Improvement in running efficiency indicates improved economy of running performance.
Speed (km/h or mi/h) is measured with GPS, footpod, stride sensor or cycling speed sensor. Pace (expressed as min/km or min/mile) stands for the rate of speed. Pace is usually used in running. By setting a target pace, you can follow how fast you need to run in order to reach a certain distance in a predefined time.
You can easily analyze each of your training sessions in the training result view. In addition to many useful details about your training, the Curve illustrates graphically the data from the sensors that you used while training. Place your mouse cursor on the curve to see more details.
Diary is available in Polar software. When you transfer training results from your training computer to your Diary, you can easily follow up your training as well as plan your future training sessions. You can choose to see your training sessions in a Month or Week view, along with a Month or Week summary.
This feature is available in Polar software. When you transfer training results from your training computer to polarpersonaltrainer.com, you can follow your training load and recovery in the training diary. Continuous monitoring of training load and recovery will help you recognize personal limits, avoid over- or undertraining, and adjust training intensity and duration according to your daily and weekly targets.
The polarpersonaltrainer.com web service offers training programs for running, cycling, outdoor sports, and general fitness, for instance. The training program creates training targets which appear in your Diary. You can customize the program according your current fitness level.
Stride length is the average length of one step, that is, the distance between your right and left foot contacting the ground. Runners adjust stride length to gather speed: stride length increases as speed increases. Yet one of the most common mistakes novice runners make is over-striding. The most efficient stride length is the natural one – the one that feels most comfortable.
Your cycling cadence stands for your pedaling rate in revolutions per minute (rpm). Cadence is the central factor in improving cycling performance. A higher cadence reduces the force needed for each pedal stroke, and thus improves overall performance. Running cadence measures how many times your either right or left foot hits the ground in one minute. Running cadence is measured as steps per minute. With this feature you can sharpen your cadence and make your ground contact time shorter. This will help you to find a balance between leg power and leg speed.
Distance (km, mi) can be set and measured in several ways. Training distance tells you the distance traveled during a training session. Trip distance tells you the distance from the latest trip reset. Lap distance tells you the distance of one lap. Total distance is the distance accumulated since the last reset. Odometer tells you the cumulative distance which you cannot reset.
Running Index is based on heart rate and speed data measured during the run. It gives daily information about your performance level, both aerobic fitness and running economy. Improvement in running efficiency indicates improved economy of running performance.
Speed (km/h or mi/h) is measured with GPS, footpod, stride sensor or cycling speed sensor. Pace (expressed as min/km or min/mile) stands for the rate of speed. Pace is usually used in running. By setting a target pace, you can follow how fast you need to run in order to reach a certain distance in a predefined time.
There is one profile for running, two for cycling, and one for other sports. In each profile you can activate the sensors that you want to use with that sport. There is a specific selection of sensors available for each profile.
ZoneLock feature helps you to accumulate certain intensity. You can either lock a zone before a training session or during it by pressing a button when you are on the desired zone.
ZonePointer is a visible and moving symbol on the training computer display indicating whether you are inside the pre-set target zone. This feature helps you to reach the desired intensity/pace/speed/cadence targets.