Polar Expands Fitness Program to iOS and US Market on May 22
Polar, a global leader in wearable sports technology, has announced a major expansion of its Fitness Program, now available on iOS devices and in the United States. In discussions with this site, the company confirmed that they see this as a significant step forward to make guided fitness training more accessible across platforms and regions.
With this update, the Fitness Program will now be available in:
- All EU countries
- Norway
- The United Kingdom
- And now, for the first time, the United States
The service will be available through a monthly subscription priced at $8.99/€9.99/mo. All new users can access a 14-day free trial.
The Fitness Program is designed for users who want an effortless, engaging, and adaptable way to build their fitness…
It reflects our long-standing commitment to combine scientific insight with trusted training guidance. [Polar]
Garmin Backlash = Polar Backlash?
There seems not seem to be the case. Garmin was rightly dragged kicking and screaming over the coals for its poor value subscription offering, Garmin Connect+. Well, probably not kicking and screaming, but simply not commenting and hoping the furore would die down (which it inevitably did).
Unlike Garmin, however, Polar’s new subscription offering adds a fresh and distinct training approach to its existing ecosystem. Subscription-based training programs aren’t new and are generally more accepted by customers; companies like TrainingPeaks and Final Surge have long charged for them. However, Polar already offers some coaching services, so this 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 personalised 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 targeting 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 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.
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