Polar M51 Heart Rate Monitor

The main features of the Polar M51 monitor are:

• Continuous heart rate monitoring
• Polar Fitness Test: The end result is a number called OwnIndex which gives a measure of your aerobic fitness.
• Manual setting of heart rate training zone (target zone)
• OwnZone: Automatic determination of your target zone based on your weight, age, gender and a test of your fitness during warm up. You can choose one of 3 OwnZone levels: basic, low and high.
• Audio alarm can be set to beep when you train outside of your target zone
• You can set up 2 user profiles. One for yourself and one for a family member etc.
• Change your heart rate limits while exercising
• View real time data while exercising: Your current heart rate, time spent in target zone (so far) and calorie count
• Progress bullets: One bullet per 15 minutes exercise in target zone
• Stop watch to start and stop exercise session
• File (data of last session) can be reviewed: Date, total exercise time, time spent in target zone, heart rate limits used for the session, average heart rate, calorie count and % of that due to fat burnt, cumulative total of calorie count and exercise time since last reset
• Basic Time Keeping: Time, date and alarm
• Backlight
• Exercise Reminder: Text message appears 3 days after your last recorded exercise.

Note: The Polar M52 (shown on the right here) is exactly the same as the Polar M51 heart rate monitor but with a more sporty wrist watch fascia/cover.

The OwnZone determination of target heart rate training limits are quite useful in that it takes into account how fit you are just before you train. It then sets the heart rate limits appropriately. With the M51/M52, you have more control over the zone limits via choosing the OwnZone level.

The OwnIndex, which you get after doing the Fitness Test, is a number comparable to VO2 max. Do it about once a month to chart the improvement in your fitness.

Now you can share your heart rate monitor with your brother or sister (or anyone else) without having to change your own personal settings (weight, age, gender etc) each time. Each user also gets to keep his/her training session data. So when you are not exercising, you brother/sister can borrow it.

Summary

The Polar M51 is an intermediate heart rate monitor with additions over the M21/M22. The main additions are the Fitness Test for monitoring long term fitness trend, the 2-user facility and more refined OwnZone determination. The Polar M51 heart rate monitor should be able meet the needs of many users training for fitness and weight management, particular for those who want to share their monitor with someone else.

Note: The M51 and M52 models have been superceded, though they may still be available in some internet shops. If you are looking to buy the M51 or M52, you may want to have a look at the current models Polar F6 and Polar F11.

Not sure which heart rate monitor is right for you? Take a look at the Which Heart Rate Monitor page.