Polar 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

the5krunner

tfk is the founder and author of the5krunner, an independent endurance sports technology publication. With 20 years of hands-on testing of GPS watches and wearables, and competing in triathlons at an international age-group level, tfk provides in-depth expert analysis of fitness technology for serious athletes and endurance sport competitors.