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Polar Insights from 2022

16 December 2022
the5krunner

Polar Insights From 2022Polar Insights from 2022

It seems that older runners run further, or at least ones using a Polar watch do. 50-59-year-olds run an average of 5.09 miles per run compared to a measly 4.28 miles for 20-29-year-olds. Brits tend to run 7km (4.34miles) whereas Americans just need to run more, coming in at 4.10 miles. Contrast that with the most runningest nation…Germany whose runners, on average, run 8.1kms per run.

 

Top Polar sports

The most popular sports are running, walking, strength training, cycling, and indoors. Often the mysterious ‘other indoor’ workout is one recorded by a heart rate monitor strap like the Polar Verity Sense.

Weekly activity

  • Polar users exercise 5 hours 24 minutes every week on average.
  • Tuesday is the most popular day for exercise.

Strength Training

  • Average duration of a strength workout is 65 minutes.

Cycling

This figure seems about right. I recall a similar stat from Golden Cheetah a couple of years ago which noted that 60 minutes was the most popular cycling workout duration and I guess most people average 20kmh or so if you include a bit of slacking at the start and end.

  • Average distance per ride 20.1km (12.48 miles).

Swimming

I was pleasantly surprised by the average swim workout being over a mile. Good stuff people, keep it up. I would have guessed less than this.

  • Average distance per workout 2,280 meters.

Sleep

  • Average sleep score: 73.
  • Average sleep duration: 7 hours and 30 minutes.
  • Average wake time: 7:06 am.
  • Average bedtime: 11:33 pm.

 

 

 

 

Last Updated on 26 January 2026 by the5krunner

My favourite kit and nutrition

  • Injinji – Runners protect your toes. Avoid discomfort and minor injury. Run more. Run faster. I use them.
  • Garmin 90-degree charging adapter — The small adapter that keeps your charging cables tidy. Essential for race day. I use one.
  • Garmin charging puck — the fastest and most reliable way to top up your Garmin before a session. I use one.
  • Ravemen FR300 — Front light that mounts directly under your Garmin or Wahoo head unit. Keeps your bars clean and your beam pointed where it matters. I use one.
  • Body Glide – The blue anti-chafe stick that all swimmers and many runners use. I use it.
  • Maurten — The race nutrition trusted by elite athletes. Gels and drink mixes engineered to be easy on the stomach. I use them.
  • Garmin Varia RTL515 — A radar rear light that alerts you to vehicles approaching from behind. Pairs with your Edge or Garmin watch. I use this model.
  • Favero Assioma Pro RS2 — The power-meter pedals most serious cyclists choose. Accurate, easy to move between bikes. I use this model.
  • Garmin Forerunner 970 — A serious choice for a pro-grade triathlon watch. I use this.
  • Polar H10 — My daily driver for accurate, waking HRV readings.
  • Wahoo ELEMNT Roam 3 — The bike computer that has the feature Garmin lacks: usability. I use mine on most rides.

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