The Polar RCX3 Bike Heart Rate Monitor Watch is a really effective training partner for recreational and aspirational bikers, runners and fitness enthusiasts who are either training towards an event or want to make progress in their general fitness and who will be helped by using an HRM which will give real-time data, the ability to record activity details over a period of time and the bonus of motivational responses to their efforts.

Although the Polar RCX3 Bike Heart Rate Monitor Watch is a relatively small HRM watch unit compared to some, it still has a big display area and makes good use of it to offer three rows of clearly readable customisable data.

The display can be specified to show you the information you want during a particular training session. For example, you might want to display average speed of a current ride, the time of day and the current lap time and they are each identified with word labels or straightforward graphics.

People new to using training watches of this calibre may well choose to use only the most basic functions at first. This is sensible but by taking the time to read through and try out the many further functions of the Polar RCX3 Bike Heart Rate Monitor Watch you will be able to decide which are of value and take them onboard as well.

In particular, it would be worth exploring the Polarpersonaltrainer.com website which allows you to upload your activity data via your computer to have it saved as a running diary of your fitness programme and to see such data displayed in graphical form, for example.

The list of features below shows the huge scope that the Polar RCX3 Bike Heart Rate Monitor Watch gives you to tailor your fitness programme to exactly what you want to get out of it and to provide the data and feedback that is essential if you are to know what you do that takes you forward towards your personal goals.

RCX3 Smart Coaching Features

Endurance Programmes

These running and cycling programmes include recommended warm-up, exercise and cool-down phases for every training session. The programmes are customised to your specific needs and fitness level and optimise endurance training by adapting and updating your training routines every four weeks. You can create these programmes in polarpersonaltrainer.com and upload them to a compatible training computer.

Fitness Test

If you're looking to improve your fitness and want to keep up to date with how well you're doing, the smart Fitness Test will tell you exactly what you need to know in just five minutes. By regularly comparing your test results, you can see what progress you are making and how your fitness is improving.

Running Index

If you're looking to keep on top of your running performance you'll find this feature a big help. Regular use over time allows you to see how efficient your running is. Your Running Index score is calculated automatically after every run, based on your heart rate and from the speed data collected from your GPS or stride sensor. A higher reading indicates that you can run faster with less effort.

Smart Calories

OwnCal is the most accurate calorie counter on the market. It calculates the number of calories expended during a training session based on your weight, height, age, gender, your individual maximum heart rate (HRmax) and how hard you're training.

Training Benefit

Motivating feedback that's delivered straight to you immediately after exercise is something we can all benefit from. So if you want to know the effect of different training sessions, this feature will tell you exactly what you need to know. You get a quick overview after each session, and for more detailed feedback, you can either check your training file or you can get further in-depth analysis at polarpersonaltrainer.com.

Training Load

Training Load helps you to find the perfect balance between rest and training. Find out your training load status at polarpersonaltrainer.com. It shows you at a glance your cumulative training load for every day, advising if and when rest days are needed and when it's best to train harder in order to maintain your performance improvement.

ZoneOptimizer

This feature ensures that you always train at the right intensity. Knowing how hard to train can be a challenge. By using ZoneOptimizer, you can get the exact training effect you're looking for as the feature adjusts your five heart rate training zones to perfectly match your body's current physiological condition.

Features

Body Measurement Features

• HRmax (user set)
• HRmax (age-based)
• Polar Fitness Test
• Polar OwnCode (2.4 GHz W.I.N.D.) coded transmission
• Polar OwnCal calorie expenditure with fat percentage
• Average and maximum heart rate of each lap
• Average, minimum, maximum heart rate of training
• Heart rate (bpm/%)
• Polar ZoneOptimizer personalized sport zones
• Polar sport zones
• Training benefit

Recording Features

• Totals
• Training files with summaries: 99
• Weekly history

Training Features

• Interval trainer guided workouts: Heart rate, pace, distance
• Training computer settings
• Number of laps: 99
• Three fixed sport profiles
• Graphical target zone indicator
• Automatic lap recording
• ZonePointer
• ZoneLock

Polarpersonaltrainer.com Features

• Training load
• Training diary
• Training programs
• Map view using optional with GPS sensor (not incl)
• Endurance programs
• Advanced training analysis

CS Speed Sensor W.I.N.D. Features

• Speed: Current, average, maximum
• Autostart/stop
• Bike settings for two bicycles
• Distance: Training, lap, total

Watch Features

• Backlight
• Date and weekday indicator
• Dual time zone
• Button lock
• Low-battery indicator
• Time of day (12/24 hr) with alarm and snooze
• User-replaceable battery
• Water resistance: 30 m
• Text display in English, German, French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Dutch, Danish, Finnish, Norwegian and Swedish

In the Box

• Polar RCX3 training computer
• Polar H3 heart-rate sensor
• Polar CS speed sensor W.I.N.D.
• Universal bike mount
• RCX3 Getting Started Guide
• CS speed sensor W.I.N.D. user manual