Polar T31 Coded Transmitter

All you need for gym-based heart monitoring

It is important to distinguish between a (chest-strap) heart rate transmitter such as the Polar T31 and a wrist band heart rate display or monitor such as the Polar F4, F6, F7 etc.

The T31 is the standard Polar heart rate transmitter supplied in a package with Polar wrist band heart rate monitors. However, if you work out in a gym equipped with modern treadmills, cross trainers, steppers, cycle exercisers etc you will find that the machines are all capable of picking up and displaying the heart-rate signals transmitted by the T31. So if you only work out in the gym using modern exercise machines (e.g. Technogym) just buy the T31 at less than half the price of the full transmitter and monitor package. If you later decide to use it for running, cycling or swimming, just add a wrist band monitor.

The T31 is good value for money, in my opinion. Just ensure that the two conductive strips (look like carbon fibre) on the inner face are slightly damp before starting: once you get into the calorie burning zone your perspiration will keep them that way!

John Jamieson