The new Polar WearLink makes heart rate based training available to Nike+ users. If you own a Nike+ SportBand or the Nike+ iPod Sport Kit, you can use the WearLink chest strap to provide heart rate monitoring while you run. After working out, heart rate data can be transferred to the nikeplus.com web service, providing users with info to track how long they ran in their target heart rate zone and their heart rate progress over time. Full press release after the jump.
POLAR AND NIKE INTRODUCE HEART RATE TRAINING TO MILLIONS OF NIKE+ RUNNERS
Beaverton, Ore. (June 7, 2010) – Nike, Inc (NYSE:NKE) and Polar, the market leader and pioneer in heart rate training technology, have introduced the Polar WearLink®+ that works with Nike+. This new product works with the Nike+ SportBand and the Nike+ iPod Sport Kit, enabling users to run and train with heart rate monitoring for the first time.
This exciting new piece of equipment is worn comfortably round the chest and transmits the user’s heart rate wirelessly to their Nike+ iPod Sport Kit or Sportband. It will improve the training experience of Nike+ users helping them to understand how hard they are working in any given run. Users can see their beats per minute while they run with their Nike+ SportBand, or hear spoken feedback of their BPM during their Nike+ iPod workout. And after training, heart rate data can be transferred to the nikeplus.com web service. Users can track how long they ran in their target heart rate zone and see their heart rate progress over time.
The new Polar WearLink®+ that works with Nike+, is also compatible with most Polar training computers (all those using 5 kHz transmission technology). This allows use of both the Nike+ system and a Polar training computer at the same time. The Polar WearLink®+ that works with Nike+, is also compatible with the fifth generation iPod nano and the Nike+ iPod Sport Kit.
The soft textile chest strap seamlessly adapts to the user’s body shape, bringing full freedom of movement to the training session. The comfortable textile strap is also machine-washable and with its hook mechanism, the transmitter is just as quick to put on as it is to take off. A user replaceable battery also increases the ease-of-use.
In addition, the Polar WearLink®+ that works with Nike+, works with Polar-compatible fitness equipment, including models from all major fitness equipment manufacturers. This enables users wearing the WearLink+ transmitter to see their heart rate on the compatible fitness club equipment as well. The coded transmission ensures that Nike+ devices and Polar training computers pick up the right heart rate signal and not someone else’s.
“We are delighted to enter into this partnership with Nike”, says Marco Suvilaakso, Group Product Director at Polar. “Polar and Nike are both market leading global sports brands. Nike users around the globe can now benefit for the first time from pioneering Polar heart rate monitoring technology. The new WearLink®+ transmitter Nike+ will make accurate heart rate training available to millions of Nike+ users. It will add a new dimension to their training enabling them to train at the right intensity to achieve their goals. We anticipate this will be a very popular product.”
“We are excited to introduce Polar heart rate technology into the Nike+ system so millions of enthusiastic users can take their training and performance to the next level,” said Jeff Padovan, president of Polar USA. “Being able to partner with industry leaders like Nike and Apple who share our passion for sports and technology allows us to deliver what the consumer has asked for by providing the best each company has to offer all in one product.”
The Polar WearLink®+ that works with Nike+, will be available from June 2010 in the United States, followed by Canada and major EU countries from the beginning of July. On sale through authorized Polar retailers, Nike-owned retail stores and through the Apple Store (www.apple.com), the Polar WearLink®+ that works with Nike+, is sold as a Polar accessory set with a user manual. Compatible Polar training computers can be purchased separately.
Notes to Editors
Recommended retail price: $69.95
Compatible Polar training computers:
All Polar training computers utilizing 5 kHz transmission technology, including Polar FT80, FT60, FT40, FT7, FT4, FT2, FT1, RS400, RS300X, RS100, CS400, CS300, CS200 and CS100. Please check the up-to-date list of compatible training computers from the Polar web site.Water resistance of Polar products is tested according to International IEC 60529 IPx7 (1m, 30min, 20°C).Not suitable for bathing or swimming. Protected against wash splashes and raindrops. Do not wash with a pressure washer.Not suitable for swimming. Protected against wash splashes, sweat, raindrops etc. Do not wash with a pressure washer.Suitable for bathing and swimming.Suitable for swimming and snorkeling (without air tanks).
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
About Polar Headquartered in Lake Success, NY, Polar USA is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Finland-based Polar Electro OY, which invented the first wireless heart rate monitor (HRM) in 1977. Polar now operates internationally in more than 80 countries. Polar heart rate and fitness assessment technology delivers unparalleled insight into the human body from valuable training guidance and feedback, to enabling individuals to improve their fitness level and sports performance. Polar technology is key to the success of leading fitness facilities, athletic teams, corporate wellness facilities, health insurance providers and thousands of physical education programs around the world. Today, Polar training computers are the number one choice among consumers worldwide. For more information, visit www.polarusa.com.
About Nike
NIKE, Inc. based near Beaverton, Oregon, is the world’s leading designer, marketer and distributor of authentic athletic footwear, apparel, equipment and accessories for a wide variety of sports and fitness activities. Wholly-owned Nike subsidiaries include Cole Haan, which designs, markets and distributes luxury shoes, handbags, accessories and coats; Converse Inc., which designs, markets and distributes athletic footwear, apparel and accessories; Hurley International LLC, which designs, markets and distributes action sports and youth lifestyle footwear, apparel and accessories; and Umbro Ltd., a leading United Kingdom-based global football (soccer) brand. For more information, visit www.nikebiz.com.
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Is this product compatible with the iPod nano 3rd gen. and Nike + kit?
Thanks!
-JUANVERSON
@Juanverson Unfortunately, the 3rd Gen Nano will not work with this product according to the PR person that sent me the info.
Julie, that’s not correct.
If you have the Nike+ sports kit (basically the receiver dongle that is attached to the Ipod nano 2nd, 3rd, and 4th, gen), it will work.
Does it work with iPhone 3GS or iPhone 4. if yes do we need to purchase the receiver. I brought the Apple Nike sensor sport kit but actuarially it don’t need the receiver for IPhone 3GS or iPhone 4.
My transmitters always stop working after 3 to 4 minutes of running (the heart rate stay at the same value and do not move from there). I have been running for 5 weeks with it (4 times per week) and it worked only 2 or 3 of my runs… I’m using it with my Nike+GPS watch…
I have tried everything they are saying in one of the article that POLAR have on their website.. and nothing is working… for example that the contact between the skin and the electrodes of the heart rate sensor have to be good, the elastic strap should not be loose, the electrode should not be dry, etc.