new Polar SUBSCRIPTION – Fitness Program Details & Comparisons

Polar has recently introduced a subscription-based fitness program for €9.99/mo, following in the footsteps of Garmin, which controversially added a paywall to its Garmin Connect app. Unlike Garmin, however, Polar’s new subscription offering adds to its existing ecosystem a fresh and distinct training approach – everything you had before is still there and free,

While subscription-based training programs aren’t new—companies like TrainingPeaks and Final Surge have long charged for them—Polar’s new addition raises the question: How does it differ from its current free plans and coaching services?

What Sets the New Program Apart?

Polar’s new Fitness Program was introduced within its FLOW ecosystem, but it quickly became apparent that it duplicated parts of existing offerings like FitSpark.

FitSpark delivers daily training suggestions on your watch, as does the Fitness Program, albeit offering a more varied approach. I asked Polar to explain, and they highlighted these points of difference.

I prefer to call the Fitness Program – FITSPARK+ (Plus). An expanded version which adds a longer-term training plan with more personalized workouts. It also features the ability to adjust your training level manually and unlock rewards as you progress.

Polar’s Fitness Program is difficult to compare to competitors; I’d struggle to find a similar one offered by Suunto, Whoop or Fitbit. Perhaps the closest would be from the numerous paid-for apps targetting fitness-grade athletes, but how many of those are truly adaptive (many claim to be but aren’t)?

Garmin Coach? Garmin’s Daily Workout suggestions are similar to Fitspark, and Garmin’s Coach/Running programs are similar to Polar’s. Of course, Garmin is free.

Who Will Benefit from This Program?

The program is designed to appeal to many Polar users who are using tech to stay fit rather than achieve race goals.

Polar’s Training Ecosystem – Where This Fits In

Polar has long supported a range of training tools, including the ability to create, import, and execute structured workouts across various sports. Athletes can also schedule drink and refuelling reminders as part of their routines. It’s a good ecosystem.

Recently, Polar integrated with TrainingPeaks (TP), enabling us to import (paid for) training plans and ad-hoc workouts directly into the Polar system. TP’s plans are often race-specific but don’t necessarily account for an individual’s readiness on a given day. In contrast, Polar’s FitSpark offers flexible training suggestions for personal readiness.

The new fitness program seems to bridge the gap between these two options, offering a more personalised and adaptive experience. It allows for planning rest days, adjusting difficulty levels, and viewing upcoming workouts on a training calendar.

Key Takeaways

Polar’s multi-pronged approach to training support needs simplification. A unified branding strategy, perhaps under the FITSPARK sub-brand, could help clarify where to find and understand its training offerings  – for potential subscribers and existing watch owners alike. (FitSpark Daily, Fitspark Athlete, FitSpark+)

Although the workouts are solid and the logic behind them is sound, the interface on Polar’s watches feels somewhat dated, even though it’s easy to use. Despite its effectiveness and ease-of-use, the web ecosystem in Polar FLOW (my favourite) also feels outdated.

The new fitness program fills a gap in Polar’s training ecosystem and charging for it seems fair – although the price seems too high. A more cohesive presentation could help it resonate more widely.