Polar – pioneer in heart rate monitoring since 1977.
What began on a cross-country ski trail in Finland changed the world of sport forever: Professor Seppo Säynäjäkangas founded Polar in 1977 after a conversation with a ski coach made him realise that heart rate measurement should be possible not only when standing still, but also while moving. The rest is sporting history.
Back in 1982, Polar was the first manufacturer worldwide to launch a sports watch with wireless heart rate measurement – the Sport Tester PE 2000. This milestone revolutionised training for professionals and amateurs alike. Suddenly, heart rate was no longer the preserve of doctors' surgeries, but a tool for anyone who wanted to train seriously.
Decades later, Polar remains true to its DNA and continues to develop it consistently. With over 450 patents and around 10,000 supported studies, the Finnish company is not only a manufacturer but also a trendsetter in the sports science community. Today's product portfolio appeals to everyone – from ambitious triathletes to health-conscious everyday users: multisport watches such as the Polar Vantage V3 and Grit X2 for professionals, the Vantage M3 as a versatile all-round sports watch, as well as bike computers and chest strap sensors for cycling.
Polar provides the latest proof of its commitment to innovation with Loop – a fitness wristband without a display or subscription that records heart rate, sleep and daily activity around the clock. No subscription, no monthly costs – a clear contrast to other competitors. The Loop was developed by the same design team that created the iF Design Award-winning Vantage V3 and Grit X2 models. From the cross-country ski trails in Oulu to the wrists of millions of people worldwide, Polar has been combining sports science with everyday relevance for almost 50 years – precisely, consistently and with Finnish ingenuity.
