52
I
OUTDOOR FITNESS
STAT SIFTER
For greater accuracy and tracking multiple metrics, when the
going gets tough the tough turn to a pro-standard heart-rate strap
POLAR H10
f you’re really
serious about
heart-rate
training and recovery,
reliable accuracy is
essential. Just one or
two beats per minute
can tip you into the
wrong intensity zone
or give you a bad read
on your rhythms and
next-day recovery.
While wrist-based
optical sensors have
improved, the chest
strap is still the go-to
for elite coaches and
athletes – and the
ECG-based Polar H10
is the gold standard.The H10 offers better
comfort than most
chest-worn trackers,
with a combination of
a small and lightweight
(39g) tracking unit
along with a soft fabric
strap, studded with
silicone grip dots that
help keep it in place.
The sensor responds
rapidly and reliably, in
real time, to changes in
your workout intensity,
and your data can be
fired simultaneously
to two Bluetooth and
ANT+ devices, including
most sports watches,
bike computers andgym cardio machines. It
also plays nice with top
performance-tracking
apps like Strava and
Zwift, and you can
connect it to your
phone and unlock
a selection of free
workouts in the Polar
Beat app.
If you’re a swimmer
or a triathlete, it’s
waterproof to 30m
and tracks in the pool,
although it’s worth
noting that chest straps
don’t tend to be 100%
reliable in the water. You
can train phone-free,
though you’ll need tostart your workout in
the Polar Beat app first.
The built-in memory
stores one workout
between syncs and
you’ll get up to 400hrs’
training time on a single
battery. Not only does
that translate into
months of training,
but a coin cell battery
means no need to
worry about losing
a charger.
One final smart
touch: the H10 updates
over the air – so just
like you, it can actually
improve with age.
£80 / polar.comBeat it
For serious data
delving, Polar’s
Beat and Flow
apps give much
greater insight into
training intensity,
including useful
paid-for extras.Gym’ll fix it
Aside from your
phone, you can get
real-time feedback
by connecting the
H10 to compatible
gym equipment via
Polar’s proprietary
GymLink interface.