Polar's heart rate monitoring system for group exercise studios is due for imminent launch in the UK.

Designed to make classes more interesting, motivating and effective, the Polar Cardio GX system allows the instructor to set tangible goals for members, as well as allowing them to track their progress from week to week. It also helps the instructor to find the proper training response for every member, thereby avoiding over- or under-training.

Allowing for real-time monitoring of up to 28 participants from one base station, or up to 80 participants from linked bases, clubs can customise the heart rate zones according to their membership profile. Graphical summaries are created at the end of each session, including details of time spent in each heart rate zone, with the instructor able to email individual reports to the participants.

The screen at the front of the class, on which heart rates are projected, includes customisable advertising space – projected on-screen during the workout – allowing clubs to communicate marketing messages to members.