Polar Beat: Running & Fitness 4+

Happy to give five stars.
I train for Motocross and (more recently) Enduro.
Beat is simple and easy to use.
I can watch my heart rate zones while I do indoor rowing and weight training.
The app is really good for analysing your data to make improvements and see what you’ve done in your previous sessions.
Using the H10 chest strap, I can record data into the sensor while I’m putting in laps at a track, then sync/upload with my phone when I get back.
This has been invaluable for my fitness and I’ve made marked improvements.
Being able to actively and consciously train in specific zones removes the guess work you have through feel.
Essentially, you know exactly when you need to push harder or back off. Having that control is a game changer.
I 100% support this brand, I have received zero support through any sponsorship. But I will absolutely urge people to take advantage of the H10 HR monitor and use it in conjunction with this app.
I definitely suggest that serious athletes use both Beat and Flow apps, on top of being able to take more control of training. I actually have found it to be much more enjoyable and easier to hit my marks.
Thanks if you spent the time to read, happy training.

1. Pairing with H10 needs to be done via app and not iOS. But every time the app pairs with the H10 you still get a pop up from iOS wanting to pair. The is annoying as if you accept pairing with iOS it prevents the app using the sensor.

2. Sharing with others a link to your run doesn’t seem possible in the app. Just the photos and those aren’t as good as the in app dashboard either. So your better screenshot your phone screen which is inconvenient. Having the ability to share the same detailed info in messages or via a website link would be good.

3. Colour traces. This is a killer feature in my opinion of Runtastic. Having the map with a colour trace which you can choose the metric to colour by, like HR, Pace, Speed, elevation etc. This makes it really easy to see on the map where in your run you struggled or did well. This would be great to add.

Firstly no issues with the way the app works. It pairs and resychs easily with my OM1 and iPhone. Cardio workouts are really where Polar and this app are focused.
My suggestions for a 5 star app:
1. Between Beat and Flow there is too much overlap I find. Flow only has a couple more features such as the training calender. It’s frustrating to have to work between the two apps. Make one app which has both feature sets integrated.
2. Colour overlays over the map to allow users to understand pace and effort.
3. Take the perceived exertion into account for the training benefit feedback especially for weight based exercise profiles such as “strength training”, “outdoor other”, circuit training” and others. A heavy weight workout that has a low heart rate has my app telling me it was a “great recovery session” while I’m drenched in sweat!

Still enjoy the app and grateful it syncs to my HRM and Strava so easily. Keep the updates coming!