Polar Electro F55 User manual

BUTTONS
Press OK to enter the menu.
Press the / buttons to move forward in the menus.
Press and hold the Back button to return to the Time of Day
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User Manual
Polar F55™
Manufactured by
Polar Electro Oy
Professorintie 5
FIN-90440 KEMPELE
Tel [phone]
Fax [phone]
www.polar.fi
17928481.01 ENG B

Dear customer,
Congratulations on your purchase of a new Polar Fitness Heart Rate Monitor!
The Polar Fitness heart rate monitor helps you to achieve your personal fitness goals.
The Polar fitness heart rate monitor includes the Polar Keeps U Fit™ - Own Workout Program, which gives you
guidance how much you need to exercise to achieve your personal fitness goals. Additionally, you can create a
Polar Body Workout™, which helps you in strength training.
The Polar Keeps U Fit - Own Workout Program is based on and personalized by using your current aerobic
fitness level, measured with the Polar Fitness Test™. Enter your program choice and the amount of exercise,
and the Polar Fitness heart rate monitor provides you with an exercise program. Use the Polar heart rate monitor
during your exercise sessions and check the recorded data from the electronic Diary after exercising. In the
Diary you can compare and chart your progress against your targets. Perform the Fitness Test once a month
and see how your fitness level is proceeding over the long-term.
This manual contains the information you need to use and maintain your product. Please read this through to
understand how to use the functions and to get the most out of your Polar heart rate monitor.
Please also check our web sites for the best product and training tips and other value adding services:
www.polarpersonaltrainer.com and www.polar.fi
POLAR F55 QUICK GUIDE
OK OK OK OK OK OK
START
SETTINGS
Back
WATCH
HR SET
USER
GENERAL
Back
DAILY
WEEKLY
TOTALS
Back
TEST
TREND
Back
CARDIO
BODY
Back
START
TREND
Back
OK
Press Press Press Press Press Press
Monitor
information such
as your heart
rate and calories
burned during
your exercise
sessions.
Press
View detailed
information
on your latest
exercise sessions,
as well as
the long-term
information on
your exercises.
Change alarm,
time of day, and
other settings.
Perform the Polar
Fitness Test and
view your long-
term progress.
Create and edit
Polar Keeps U
Fit - Own Workout
Program and
Polar Body
Workout.
Perform relaxation
session and view
your long-term
relaxation values.
Transfer data
between wrist
unit, web service,
and mobile
phone.
Compare achieved exercise values against your weekly targets,
and see if you are achieving your targets as planned.
Press
Back

5
ENGLISH
1. GETTING STARTED - PERSONALIZE YOUR POLAR F55 ...................................................................................................... 8
1.1 PRODUCT ELEMENTS .............................................................................................................................................. 8
1.2 WRIST UNIT BUTTONS AND SYMBOLS...................................................................................................................... 9
1.3 BASIC SETTINGS ................................................................................................................................................... 11
1.4 MEASURING YOUR HEART RATE ............................................................................................................................ 13
2. TEST YOUR FITNESS LEVEL - GET YOUR OWNINDEX....................................................................................................... 15
2.1 PERFORMING THE FITNESS TEST........................................................................................................................... 16
2.2 FITNESS TEST TREND ............................................................................................................................................19
3. SET YOUR GOAL - CREATE WORKOUT PROGRAM ............................................................................................................21
3.1 KEEPS U FIT - OWN WORKOUT PROGRAM ..............................................................................................................21
3.1.1 Creating Your Program............................................................................................................................. 22
3.1.2 View and Edit Your Program..................................................................................................................... 24
3.1.3 Program Settings ..................................................................................................................................... 30
3.1.4 Update Your Program............................................................................................................................... 32
3.2 POLAR BODY WORKOUT ........................................................................................................................................ 33
3.2.1 Creating Your Body Workout..................................................................................................................... 34
3.2.2 View and Edit Your Body Workout............................................................................................................. 35
3.2.3 Body Workout Settings ............................................................................................................................. 38
CONTENTS

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4. REACH YOUR GOAL - START EXERCISING.......................................................................................................................39
4.1 STARTING EXERCISE RECORDING..........................................................................................................................39
4.2 FUNCTIONS DURING EXERCISE ............................................................................................................................. 40
4.3 STOPPING THE EXERCISE...................................................................................................................................... 47
4.4 EXERCISE SETTINGS ............................................................................................................................................. 48
4.5 OWNZONE ............................................................................................................................................................. 52
5. FOLLOW-UP YOUR ACHIEVEMENTS ................................................................................................................................ 55
5.1 DAILY FILE............................................................................................................................................................. 55
5.2 WEEKLY FILE ......................................................................................................................................................... 58
5.3 TOTALS FILE .......................................................................................................................................................... 59
5.4 DIARY.................................................................................................................................................................... 61
5.5 WEEKLY AND MONTHLY FOLLOW-UP ...................................................................................................................... 64
6. REMEMBER TO RELAX - GET YOUR OWNRELAX............................................................................................................... 66
6.1 PERFORMING THE RELAXATION SESSION...............................................................................................................66
6.2 INTERPRETATION OF THE RESULTS ........................................................................................................................ 68
6.3 RELAXATION TREND .............................................................................................................................................. 70
7. GET EXTRA BENEFIT FROM POLAR APPLICATIONS - DATA COMMUNICATION..................................................................72
8. SETTINGS ....................................................................................................................................................................... 73
8.1 WATCH SETTINGS .................................................................................................................................................. 73
8.2 HEART RATE SETTINGS.......................................................................................................................................... 81
8.3 USER SETTINGS .................................................................................................................................................... 82
8.4 GENERAL SETTINGS .............................................................................................................................................. 86

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9. CARE AND MAINTENANCE............................................................................................................................................... 88
10. PRECAUTIONS ................................................................................................................................................................ 90
10.1 INTERFERENCE DURING EXERCISE ....................................................................................................................... 90
10.2 MINIMIZING POSSIBLE RISKS WHEN EXERCISING.................................................................................................. 91
11. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS....................................................................................................................................92
12. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION ........................................................................................................................................... 94
13. LIMITED POLAR INTERNATIONAL GUARANTEE ................................................................................................................96
14. DISCLAIMER................................................................................................................................................................... 97
15. INDEX............................................................................................................................................................................. 98

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1.1 PRODUCT ELEMENTS
The Polar fitness heart rate monitor set consists of the
following items:
1. GETTING STARTED - PERSONALIZE YOUR POLAR F55
Wrist Unit
The wrist unit includes Polar
Keeps U Fit - Own Workout
Program. You can create,
update, and monitor your
Program with the wrist unit.
Polar WearLink™+ Coded
Transmitter
Transmitter sends the heart
rate signal to the wrist unit.
The transmitter consists of a
connector and strap.
User Manual with Quick Guide
This User Manual contains the necessary information on
using your Polar fitness heart rate monitor. For a quick
reference, take the function map included in the Quick
Guide with you when exercising.
Data Communication
Your Polar fitness heart rate monitor offers you the option
of transferring data between your wrist unit and PC. For
further information, see the chapter Get Extra Benefit From
Polar Applications - Data Communication.

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1.2 WRIST UNIT BUTTONS AND SYMBOLS
Note: Pressing a button briefly (approximately one second) has a different effect than pressing and holding the button for a longer period of
time (at least two seconds).
Light
• Switch the backlight on.
By pressing and holding the Light button, you can:
Lock and unlock all the buttons, except the
Light button, in the Time of Day display or while
recording your exercise. Press and hold the
Light button until Buttons Locked or Unlocked
is displayed.
Back
• Exit the displayed menu and return to the
previous level.
• Cancel the selection and leave the setting as
it was.
• Switch the alarm off.
By pressing and holding the Back button, you can:
• Return to the Time of Day display from any menu.
• Enter the Watch settings from the Time of Day
display.
• Move up in the menus and selection lists.
• Increase the selected flashing value when
is on the display.
By pressing and holding the button you can:
• Change the display logo in the Time of Day
display.
• Change the top row information in the Exercise
recording mode.
OK
• Enter the menu in the Time of Day display.
• Enter the displayed menu.
• Accept your selection.
By pressing and holding the OK button, you can
start exercise recording from the Time of Day
display.
• Move down in the menus and selection lists.
• Decrease the selected flashing value when
is on the display.
By pressing and holding the button, you can
change the time zone in the Time of Day display.
Heart Touch
In the Exercise mode, you can see the time
of day by bringing the wrist unit near the
Polar logo on the transmitter.

10 ENGLISH
The envelope reminds you to
check the exercises from last week or
to perform the Polar Fitness Test. For
further information, see the section
Weekly and Monthly Follow-Up.
The battery symbol indicates that
the wrist unit battery is low. For
further information, see the chapter
Care and Maintenance.
The alarm symbol indicates that
the alarm is switched on. For further
information, see the section Watch
Settings.
Moon phase indicator:
First Quarter - less than one-half
of the moon is visible, the moon is
increasing
Full Moon - the moon is
completely visible
Last Quarter - less than one-half
of the moon is visible, the moon is
decreasing
New Moon - the moon is not
visible
Symbols
The menu level indicator shows you
the number of menu items. When
browsing the menus, the symbol
indicates where you are in the current
menu level. The symbol shows you
the total number of menu items.
In guided setting sequences the
number of symbols indicates the
total number of settings, and the
flashing symbol indicates the
setting you are currently adjusting.
The framed heart indicates the
coded transmission of your heart
rate. For further information, see the
section Measuring Your Heart Rate.
The recording symbol indicates
that exercise recording is on.
The sound symbol indicates that
the heart rate zone alarm is switched
on in the Exercise menu. For further
information, see the section Functions
During Exercising.
The dumbbell symbol indicates
the body workout.

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1.3 BASIC SETTINGS
Start from the Basic Settings mode when you use your product for the first time. You only need to activate the blank wrist
unit once. Once activated, the wrist unit cannot be switched off.
Alternatively, you can transfer the Basic Settings to the wrist unit from your computer. For further information, see the
chapter Data Communication.
Note: It is important that you be precise with the settings, as they have an impact on the accuracy of the Keeps U Fit - Own Workout Program.
1. Activate the wrist unit by pressing any button. The display fills up with digits. Press OK.
2. WELCOME TO POLAR FITNESS WORLD is displayed. Press OK to start settings.
3. Language: Press the / buttons to select language. Press OK.
4. START WITH BASIC SETTINGS is displayed. Press OK to start the Basic Settings.
5. Time: Press the / buttons to select the 12 H or 24 H time mode. Press OK.
12 H: the time is displayed from 1 to 12 am or pm. In the date and birthday settings, the month is set first and
then the day (mm.dd).
• Press the / buttons to select AM or PM. Press OK.
• Press the / buttons to set the hours. Press OK.
• Press the / buttons to set the minutes. Press OK.
24 H: the time is displayed from 0 to 23 hours. In the date and birthday settings, the day is set first and
then the month (dd.mm).
• Press the / buttons to set the hours. Press OK.
• Press the / buttons to set the minutes. Press OK.

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6. Date: Press the / buttons to select the month (mm) or day (dd). Press OK.
• Press the / buttons to select the day (dd) or month (mm). Press OK.
• Press the / buttons to select the year (yy). Press OK.
7. Units: Press the / buttons to select kilograms and centimeters (KG/CM) or pounds and feet (LB/FT). Press OK.
Note: The unit selection also affects how the calories are displayed. If you select lb/ft, calories are displayed as Cal. If you select kg/cm,
calories are displayed as kcal.
8. Weight: Press the / buttons to set your weight. Press OK.
Note: If you select the wrong units, you can still change them by pressing and holding the Light button.
9. Height: Press the / buttons to set your height. Press OK.
Note: If you select lb/ft as your units, you first set feet and then inches.
10. Birthday: Press the / buttons to select your birth month (mm) or day (dd). Press OK.
• Press the / buttons to select the day (dd) or month (mm). Press OK.
• Press the / buttons to select the year (yy). Press OK.
11. Sex: Press the / buttons to select MALE or FEMALE. Press OK.
12. SETTINGS OK? is displayed. Press the / buttons to select YES or NO. Press OK.
If you select Yes, your settings are accepted and you can start using your Polar heart rate monitor.
If you select No, you can change your Basic Settings. Press the Back button until you return to the setting you want to
change.

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1.4 MEASURING YOUR HEART RATE
To measure your heart rate, you need to wear the transmitter.
Heart rate coding reduces interference from other heart rate monitors that are close by. To make sure that the code search
is successful and ensure trouble-free heart rate monitoring, keep the wrist unit within 3 feet/1 meter of your transmitter.
Check that you are not near other people with heart rate monitors or any source of electromagnetic disturbances (for further
information on interference, see the chapter Precautions).
1. Wet the electrode areas of the strap under running water and make sure that they are well
moistened.
2. Attach the connector to the strap. Adjust the strap length to fit snugly and comfortably.

14 ENGLISH
3. Tie the strap around your chest, just below the chest muscles, and attach the hook to the
other end of the strap.
4. Check that the wet electrode areas are firmly against your skin and that the Polar logo of the
connector is in a central, upright position.
5. Wear the wrist unit as a watch. In the Time of Day display, press OK to enter the menu.
Exercise is displayed. The wrist unit automatically starts to search for your heart rate.
Your heart rate and the framed heart symbol appear in a maximum of 15 seconds.
The frame around the heart symbol indicates that your heart rate is coded.
Your heart rate is measured, but not recorded, until you have started to exercise. To record
your heart rate and other exercise data, see the chapter Reach Your Goal - Start Exercising.
Note: If the wrist unit does not receive your heart rate - - /00 is displayed, check that the transmitter
electrodes are wet and that the strap is snug enough. Bring the wrist unit up to your chest near the Polar logo
on the transmitter. The wrist unit starts to seek the heart rate signal again.

15
ENGLISH
OwnIndex is a result of the Polar Fitness Test that is an easy, safe and quick way to estimate your aerobic fitness. The
OwnIndex is based on your heart rate and heart rate variability at rest as well as on your gender, height, body weight,
and self assessed physical activity. OwnIndex is a score, which is comparable to VO2max (ml/kg/min), a commonly used
descriptor of aerobic fitness.
Aerobic (cardiovascular) fitness relates to how well your cardiovascular system works to transport oxygen to your body. The
better your aerobic fitness, the stronger and more efficient your heart is. Good aerobic fitness has many health benefits.
For example, it decreases your risk of cardiovascular diseases, stroke and high blood pressure. If you want to improve your
aerobic fitness, it takes a minimum of six weeks of regular training to see a noticeable change in your OwnIndex. Less fit
individuals see progress even more rapidly. More active individuals require more time.
Aerobic fitness is best improved by exercise types that use large muscle groups. Such activities include for example,
walking, running, cycling, rowing, swimming, skating, and cross-country skiing.
To be able to determine your current fitness level, start by measuring your OwnIndex a couple of times over the first two
weeks to get a reliable baseline value. Thereafter, repeat the test once a month in order to follow your fitness progress.
The Polar Fitness Test is targeted to healthy adults.
2. TEST YOUR FITNESS LEVEL - GET YOUR OWNINDEX

16 ENGLISH
2.1 PERFORMING THE FITNESS TEST
Note: Before you can perform the Polar Fitness Test, you need to enter your personal user information and long-term physical activity level in
the User Settings and to wear your transmitter.
It takes 3-5 minutes to perform the test.
To get reliable test results, the following basic requirements apply:
• The test can take place anywhere - at home, in the office, and at a health club - as long as the test environment is
peaceful. There should be no disturbing noises (for example, television, radio or telephone), or other people talking to you.
• Keep the test place, time of day and environment the same every time the test is repeated.
• You should be relaxed and calm.
• Avoid eating a heavy meal or smoking 2-3 hours prior to testing.
• Avoid heavy physical effort, alcoholic beverages or pharmacological stimulants on the test day and the day before.
• Lie down and relax for 1-3 minutes before starting the test.
1. In the Time of Day display press OK. Exercise is displayed.
2. Press the / buttons until Test is displayed. Press OK.
3. Press the / buttons to select TEST. Press OK.

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If you have not set your long-term physical activity level in User Settings, Activity is displayed. Press the / buttons to
select TOP, HIGH, MODERATE, or LOW. Press OK.
The activity level is an assessment of your level of physical activity. Select the alternative that best describes the overall
amount and intensity of your physical activity in the past three months.
TOP: You participate regularly in heavy physical exercise at least 5 times a week. For example, you exercise to
improve performance for competitive purposes.
HIGH: You participate regularly, at least 3 times a week, in heavy physical exercise. For example, you run 6-12 miles/
10-20 km per week, or participate in 3-4 gym classes or aerobic exercise classes weekly, or you spend 2-3 hours
per week in comparable physical activity.
MODERATE: You participate regularly in recreational sports. For example, you run 3-6 miles/5-10 km per week,
or you participate in 1-2 gym classes or aerobic exercise classes weekly, or you spend 1/2-2 hours per week
in comparable physical activity or your work requires modest physical activity.
LOW: You do not participate regularly in programmed recreational sport or heavy physical activity. For example,
you walk only for pleasure or occasionally exercise sufficiently to cause heavy breathing or perspiration.

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The test begins with Fitness
Test and your heart rate being
displayed. The increasing
number of arrows indicates that
the test is in progress.
Stay relaxed. Keep your hands
beside your body and limit body
movements and communication
with other people.
Note:
• If USER SETTINGS MISSING appears, some of the user settings
are missing. Press OK to complete all your settings. For further
information, see the section User Settings.
• You can stop the test at anytime by pressing the Back button.
Fitness Test Failed is displayed for a few seconds. Your most
recent OwnIndex value is not replaced.
• If the wrist unit does not receive your heart rate at the beginning
or during the test, the test fails. Check that the transmitter
electrodes are wet and that the textile strap is snug enough.
When the test is over, the following information is displayed.
Your current OwnIndex
(VO2max, ml/kg/min)
Your fitness classification
(for further information, see the
section Fitness Classes)
Test date
4. Press OK. UPDATE USER SET? is displayed.
5. Press the / buttons to select YES or NO. Press OK.
Select No only if you know your laboratory-measured
VO2max value and it differs more than one Fitness class
from the OwnIndex result. In this case, your OwnIndex
value is saved only to the Fitness Test Trend.
If you select Yes, your OwnIndex value is saved to your
user settings and Fitness Test Trend.
6. Continue by viewing Fitness Test Trend or press and hold
the Back button to return to the Time of Day display.

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2.2 FITNESS TEST TREND
Fitness Test Trend contains your OwnIndex results. In the Fitness Test Trend you can view your 47 most recent OwnIndex
results. When the trend view becomes full, the next OwnIndex result replaces the oldest. If you want to save the data for a
longer period, transfer the Fitness Test Trend to the polarpersonaltrainer.com web service. For further information, see the
chapter Data Communication.
1. If you start from the Time of Day display, press OK.
2. Press the / buttons until Test is displayed. Press OK.
3. Press the / buttons to select TREND. Press OK.
The following information is displayed:
Your most recent test date
Graphical trend of your OwnIndex results
Your most recent OwnIndex value
Press the / buttons to view the tested values.
Press and hold the Back button to return to the Time of Day display, or continue from Deleting OwnIndex Value.
Deleting OwnIndex Value
1. Press and hold the Light button to start deleting the selected value.
2. DELETE VALUE? is displayed. Press the / buttons to select YES or NO.
3. Press OK. The wrist unit returns to the Fitness Test Trend view.

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Fitness Classes
The Polar Fitness Test result, your OwnIndex, is most meaningful when comparing your individual values and changes in
them. OwnIndex can also be interpreted according to your gender and age. Locate your OwnIndex on the table to find your
current cardiovascular fitness classification, compare it with those who are of the same age and gender.
This classification is based on a literature review of 62 studies
where VO2max was measured directly in healthy adult subjects in
the USA, Canada and 7 European countries. Reference: Shvartz E,
Reibold RC: Aerobic fitness norms for males and females aged 6 to
75 years: a review. Aviat Space Environ Med; 61:3-11, 1990.
Age 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
YEARS VERY LOW FAIR MODERATE GOOD VERY ELITE
LOW GOOD
20-24 < 32 32-37 38-43 44-50 51-56 57-62 >62
25-29 < 31 31-35 36-42 43-48 49-53 54-59 >59
30-34 < 29 29-34 35-40 41-45 46-51 52-56 >56
35-39 < 28 28-32 33-38 39-43 44-48 49-54 >54
40-44 < 26 26-31 32-35 36-41 42-46 47-51 >51
45-49 < 25 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-43 44-48 >48
50-54 < 24 24-27 28-32 33-36 37-41 42-46 >46
55-59 < 22 22-26 27-30 31-34 35-39 40-43 >43
60-65 < 21 21-24 25-28 29-32 33-36 37-40 >40
20-24 < 27 27-31 32-36 37-41 42-46 47-51 >51
25-29 < 26 26-30 31-35 36-40 41-44 45-49 >49
30-34 < 25 25-29 30-33 34-37 38-42 43-46 >46
35-39 < 24 24-27 28-31 32-35 36-40 41-44 >44
40-44 < 22 22-25 26-29 30-33 34-37 38-41 >41
45-49 < 21 21-23 24-27 28-31 32-35 36-38 >38
50-54 < 19 19-22 23-25 26-29 30-32 33-36 >36
55-59 < 18 18-20 21-23 24-27 28-30 31-33 >33
60-65 < 16 16-18 19-21 22-24 25-27 28-30 >30
MEN
WOMEN

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3.1 KEEPS U FIT - OWN WORKOUT PROGRAM
The Polar Keeps U Fit - Own Workout Program is based on your current fitness level, giving you guidance on how much you
need to exercise to achieve your personal fitness goals.
The personalized Keeps U Fit - Own Workout Program helps you to plan your exercise by recommending total exercise duration,
calories, and exercise duration in different intensity zones. The Program takes into account your current fitness level, your
personal target and how many times per week you want to exercise. Based on these values, you receive weekly and daily
exercise targets. The Program provides you with weekly exercise times and calories, and the number, duration, and intensity
of individual exercise sessions.
3. SET YOUR GOAL - CREATE WORKOUT PROGRAM
Overview of Keeps U Fit - Own Workout Program
Test Your Fitness Level
by performing Polar Fitness Test
‡Result: Your current fitness level (OwnIndex®)
Create the Program
‡Result: Your weekly and daily exercise targets
Exercise According to Your Program
‡Result: Exercise File
Follow-Up Your Weekly Progress
from the electronic Diary
‡Result: Your Weekly Status
Follow-Up
Your Long
Term
Progress
Use your Polar fitness heart rate monitor while exercising
and check the current week’s recorded data in the electronic
Diary. In the Diary, you can compare your weekly exercises
against your targets and see if you are achieving your
weekly targets as planned. In the File menu, you can see
more detailed information about your exercise sessions.
To monitor your long-term fitness level progress, perform
the Polar Fitness Test once a month and compare the
measured value to your previous values in Fitness Test
Trend.

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3.1.1 CREATING YOUR PROGRAM
This section provides you with step-by-step information on how to create your Keeps U Fit - Own Workout Program.
To be able to get an accurate exercise program, start by measuring your fitness level as instructed in the chapter Test Your
Fitness Level - Get Your OwnIndex.
1. Start from the Time of Day display. Press OK. Exercise is displayed.
2. Press the / buttons to select Program. Press OK.
3. Press the / buttons to select CARDIO. Press OK.
4. Press the / buttons to select CREATE. Press OK.
Note:
• If you have not performed the Polar Fitness Test before or if it has been more than six months since you last performed it, OWNINDEX
MISSING. DEFAULT USED is displayed. Return to the Time of Day display by pressing and holding the Back button and perform the Fitness
Test, as instructed in the chapter Test Your Fitness Level - Get Your OwnIndex. Otherwise, the default OwnIndex value, result of Polar
Fitness Test, is used and the recommended amount of exercise at different intensity levels is not accurate for you.
• If START WITH BASIC SETTINGS appears, some of the Basic Settings are missing. Press OK to complete all your settings. For further
information, see the section Basic Settings.
• If you have already created a Program, OVERWRITE CURRENT? is displayed. Press the / buttons to select YES to create a new Program
or NO to cancel the creation of a new Program. Press OK.