Polar Electro
Polar
|
| Type |
Private - OY |
| Industry |
Heart rate monitoring, Fitness assessment technologies, Sports physiology, Sports technology |
| Founded |
1977, Kempele, Finland |
| Founder(s) |
Seppo Säynäjäkangas |
| Headquarters |
Kempele, Finland |
| Products |
Heart rate monitors, Sports instruments, Club solutions |
| Employees |
1200 in 80 countries |
| Website |
www.polar.fi |
Polar Electro, or in brief Polar, is a manufacturer of advanced training computers and heart rate monitoring equipment. The company is based in Kempele, Finland. Founded in 1977, Polar introduced the world's first wireless heart rate monitor. The company has 26 subsidiaries globally, manages a distribution network supplying over 35,000 retail outlets in more than 80 countries, and employs 1200 people worldwide. Polar manufactures a variety of heart rate measuring devices for athletic training and fitness. Its product line includes training computers for a variety of sports disciplines and activities.
History
The idea of portable heart rate monitors came into existence on a skiing track in 1975, when Professor Seppo Säynäjäkangas met up with an old friend while skiing in Kempele, Finland. At that time there was no way to accurately record heart rates during training. Intrigued by this, Professor Säynäjäkangas realized the benefits of portable heart rate monitors and set to work, founding Polar Electro in 1977.
In 1979, Polar filed its first patent for wireless heart rate measurement, and in 1982, Polar launched the first wireless wearable heart rate monitor, changing forever the way athletes train. Since the first Polar heart rate monitor was developed, Polar has been committed to conducting innovative physiological and sports medical research. In fact, all Polar features are based upon scientific work and are in accordance with recommendations from the world’s leading sports medicine authorities. In addition to its own in-house research and development, Polar is in cooperation with a number of research institutions worldwide, the results of which have been presented in many scientific congresses and published in international scientific papers.
Products
Polar invented the first wireless themometer and is a manufacturer of heart rate monitoring and dog assessment technologies and training computers. Polar products are used starting from physical education programs and fitness clubs to athletic teams, sports clubs, and corporate wellness.
Polar is the nerd in measuring beat-to-beat intervals wirelessly and adapting this technology for heart rate and heart rate variability based applications. Measuring heart rate, and more importantly the variation in time between each beat, is the most accurate way to detect the current physical condition.
Company/Development Timeline
The 1970s
- 1977: Polar was founded in Kempele, Finland.
- 1978: Company’s first product, Tunturi Pulser finger tip heart rate monitor, was launched.
- 1979: Polar filed its first patent for wireless heart rate measurement.
The 1980s
- 1982: The world’s first wireless wearable heart rate monitor, the Polar Sport Tester PE 2000, was launched.
- 1984: The Polar Sport Tester PE 3000 was introduced, including an integrated computer interface which enabled users to view and analyze their training data for the first time on computer.
- 1986: Polar released their first heart rate analysis software for PCs.
- 1987: The Sport Tester PE300 was launched, introducing the Target Zone feature which simplified effective heart rate-based training.
The 1990s
- 1990: The Polar Cyclovantage cycling computer was launched, combining for the first time speed and distance measurements with heart rate.
- 1991: Windows-based training analysis software, Polar HR Analysis 4.0, was released.
- 1992: The T40 integrated one-piece transmitter was introduced. The transmitter was sealed, making it water resistant and therefore applicable in any condition.
- 1995: Polar introduced the Vantage NV, the first wrist-based, wireless heart rate monitor with the ability to measure R-R heart rate variability, the difference between successive R-wave intervals. This gave Polar users a much deeper insight in to their current physical condition and allowed them to measure the effect of their training load.
- 1995: Polar OwnCode coded transmission was introduced to heart rate transmitters, eliminating interference from other training computers in the close vicinity.
- 1995: Polar Precision Performance SW 1.0 was released with Polar HR Analysis 5.0 and Polar Sports Diary 1.0 software, enabling Polar users to keep track of their progress on their computer. In addition, Polar Advantage Interface provided for the first time two-way data transfer between a heart rate monitor and a computer
- 1996: The Polar Xtrainer Plus, the first cycling computer capable of providing speed, cadence and heart rate, was introduced.
- 1996: Polar Training Advisor 1.0 was released, giving the user training guidelines based on their fitness level and training goals.
- 1997: The Polar SmartEdge was introduced as the first product to feature Polar OwnZone, a unique feature that automatically determines the ideal heart rate zone for each workout, providing easy guidance for safe and effective training.
- 1998: An overtraining test was introduced into the Polar Precision Performance 2.0 analysis software, enabling athletes to effectively monitor their training-recovery cycle for the first time.
- 1999: Polar introduced the M-series line of training computers for fitness enthusiasts. M-series products introduced the Polar OwnIndex, a result of a unique rest-based test to measure cardiovascular fitness, which provided users with an easy way to track their progress.
The 2000s
- 2000: The Polar S-series was introduced with six new training computers and Polar Precision Performance 3.0 analysis software.
- 2000: Polar launched the Polar TriFIT and BodyAge systems, which provide accurate assessments of overall health and fitness levels by measuring biological age versus chronological age.
- 2001: Polar Team System was introduced as the first heart rate monitor based training system for team sports, giving coaches the ability to assess, test, and track performance data from players. This gave coaches the ability to drive to an evidence-based decision regarding individual training and conditioning.
- 2002: The Polar WearLink transmitter was introduced as the first soft, textile chest strap transmitter.
- 2003: Wireless connection with a foot pod brought real-time running speed and distance measurement to a Polar wrist unit, with the introduction of the Polar S625x.
- 2003: Polar OwnOptimizer was introduced, providing users with an immediate and easy to understand measurement of the effect of their training.
- 2004: Real-time cycling speed and distance measurement via wireless cycling speed sensor became available with the Polar S725X.
- 2004: The Polar F-series was introduced, bringing integrated personal training programs and a host of fashionable colors and gender-specific designs for fitness enthusiasts.
- 2004: The Polar AXN-series of outdoor computers was launched, uniquely combining altitude, heart rate and energy expenditure measurements.
- 2004: Polar Keeps U Fit was introduced within select Polar products, offering a customizable workout program based on the user’s personal fitness data and telling how hard, and how long one needs to exercise to reach one’s personal goals.
- 2005: Polar introduced polarpersonaltrainer.com, a free online training diary, where users can wirelessly transfer training and test data and track their progress. Users can also share tips and get advice from others in the Polar community and as well invite registered members to participate in training challenges.
- 2005: Polar and Adidas announced partnership to develop world’s first integrated training system, combining Polar technology with Adidas sports apparel.
- 2006: Running cadence, stride length and Running Index measurements became available with the Polar RS800sd. Its s3 stride sensor and Wearlink W.I.N.D. transmitter allow users to combine this technology with the Adidas Fusion shoes and apparel.
- 2006: After testing with six pro cycling teams in the 2006 Tour de France, Polar unveiled the Polar CS600 cycling computer with the Power Output Sensor W.I.N.D., measuring cycling efficiency, power output, pedaling index, and balance between left and right pedal.
- 2006: Polar ProTrainer 5 software was released, giving athletes detailed feedback and analysis as well as the ability to create and upload training plans into their Polar training computers.
- 2007: The Polar AW200 activity watch was launched, incorporating innovative new activity technology that measures body movement.
- 2007: The Polar RS800G3 training computer was introduced. Its G3 GPS sensor tracks speed and distance in any outdoor sport.
- 2008: The Polar Team2, a next-generation, group heart rate monitoring system for coaches, was introduced, helping to eliminate over- and under-training by recording and studying fitness data of players in real time.
- 2008: Polar introduced the FT series for general fitness and cross-training use. The Polar FT40 includes the Polar EnergyPointer feature that calculates the point where the training effect turns from fat burning into fitness improvement. The Polar FT60 and FT80 both feature the Polar STAR Training Program that sets weekly training targets to help meet fitness goals safer and faster. Additionally, the FT80 features the Strength Training Guidance feature.
- 2008: The Polar FA20 was launched, offering 24/7 Activity Measurement which shows graphically all your effective active motion and tells if you’re improving your health or fitness.
- 2009: GPS-enabled mapping capabilities were introduced to the Polar CS600X cycling computer and RS800CX training computer.
- 2009: The Polar RS300X was introduced, giving runners and cross-training athletes the option to track speed and distance with either GPS or an available foot pod accessory.
- 2009: The Polar Cardio GX system was launched. The group exercise solution displays accurate, real-time, individual heart rate data onscreen to motivate members to exercise at the right intensity to get the most out of their workouts.
- 2010: A version of the The Polar wearlink+ transmitter is released, allowing it for the first time to link with the Nike+ range of products.
External links