Polar has been busy recently getting its software in order including introducing a new dedicated running program. Now its turning its attention to the Polar Beat app to help you get more from your heart rate based training.
The refreshed app is still best optimised for Polar's H7 heart rate monitor chest strap and is available for free on iPhones and Android phones.
Read this: A beginner's guide to heart rate zone training
You'll still be able to track distance and map routes via GPS, with 100 sports supported and voice guidance to keep you on track during training. Along with a sleek, new UI, there's also a few new features that we think runners will mostly appreciate.
First up is the new Fitness Test to help determine users' aerobic fitness. This is actually something that was actually introduced with the Polar A360 fitness tracker when paired with the Polar H7.
Polar picks: What is the best Polar sports running watch?
It's also adding a new Running Index that aims to offer insights into running performance, a Benefit Target to set targets and receive guidance to achieve goals and an Energy Pointer that shows fat-burning in real time.
If you're a Polar Flow users, data from Beat can be synced across letting you add training data to your activity and sleep tracking data.
We've used the Polar Beat app quite a lot, particularly when testing the heart rate accuracy of any new fitness trackers and smartwatches we get our hands on. So we definitely welcome any changes that make it a better experience.
How we test
By Michael Sawh
Michael Sawh has been covering the wearable tech industry since the very first Fitbit landed back in 2011. Previously the resident wearable tech expert at Trusted Reviews, he also marshaled the features section of T3.com.
He also regularly contributed to T3 magazine when they needed someone to talk about fitness trackers, running watches, headphones, tablets, and phones.
Michael writes for GQ, Wired, Coach Mag, Metro, MSN, BBC Focus, Stuff, TechRadar and has made several appearances on the BBC Travel Show to talk all things tech.
Michael is a lover of all things sports and fitness-tech related, clocking up over 15 marathons and has put in serious hours in the pool all in the name of testing every fitness wearable going. Expect to see him with a minimum of two wearables at any given time.