YMCA in joint venture with Polar

YMCA Fitness Industry Training (YMCAfit) has linked up with Polar to offer training courses under the OwnZone banner.

The Move and Step and Cycle, Run, Row courses use the Polar M Series Heart Rate monitor to assess the optimum training zone for each individual participant.The Polar OwnZone function uses the principle of heart rate variability (HRV). Studies by Polar Electro Oy and other research groups have shown that the time lapse between heart beeps is very erratic and can be used as an indicator of fitness levels.

The calculation is worked out during a ten minute warm up stage and provides the user with a heart rate range within which they should work for the remainder of the session.In conjunction with the introduction of the courses, YMCAfit has developed two instructor training programmes. These will provide instructors with a full understanding of the OwnZone concept and how it uses HRV to calculate a person's ideal training levels.

Denise Page, curriculum development manager for YMCAfit, said: Teaching OwnZone classes in clubs will enable members to achieve results quicker and help them maintain motivation. Utilising these latest developments in heart rate training will undoubtedly enhance an instructor's repertoire. Details: www.ymcafit.org.uk