Polar Verity Sense: Setup, Operating Modes, and Maximizing Training Benefits

How to Use Polar Verity Sense: A Comprehensive Guide for Enhanced Training

The Polar Verity Sense is a versatile optical heart rate sensor designed to provide highly accurate heart rate data across a wide range of sports and activities, offering flexibility in wear location and seamless connectivity to various fitness devices and apps.

Introduction to Polar Verity Sense

The quest for precise physiological data is paramount for optimizing training and understanding bodily responses to exercise. The Polar Verity Sense stands out as a sophisticated optical heart rate (OHR) sensor, offering a compelling alternative or complement to traditional chest strap monitors. Its design emphasizes versatility, comfort, and accuracy, making it a valuable tool for fitness enthusiasts, athletes, and trainers alike.

• What is the Polar Verity Sense? The Polar Verity Sense is a compact, lightweight OHR sensor that measures heart rate directly from the blood flow in your arm or temple using LED lights and a photodetector. Unlike chest straps that use electrical signals, the Verity Sense relies on photoplethysmography (PPG) technology.
• Key Advantages of the Verity Sense
  • Versatile Placement: Can be worn on the forearm, upper arm, or clipped to swimming goggles, offering comfort and adaptability for different activities.
  • High Accuracy: Utilizes Polar's renowned OHR technology, providing reliable data comparable to chest straps in many scenarios.
  • Standalone Recording: Features internal memory to record training sessions independently, without needing a paired device.
  • Extensive Connectivity: Supports both Bluetooth® and ANT+, allowing connection to a vast ecosystem of sports watches, cycling computers, fitness apps, and gym equipment.
  • Swimming Metrics: Offers specific swim metrics when used with the goggle strap clip.
• Target Audience and Applications The Verity Sense is ideal for individuals seeking a comfortable, non-restrictive heart rate monitoring solution. It's particularly well-suited for:
  • Gym Workouts: Where a chest strap might be uncomfortable or interfere with movements.
  • Group Fitness Classes: Easily broadcasts heart rate to compatible gym systems.
  • Swimming: Provides heart rate data and distance metrics in the water.
  • Team Sports: Its low profile and secure fit make it suitable for dynamic movements.
  • Anyone seeking an alternative to chest straps.

Getting Started: Initial Setup and Pairing

Before diving into your first workout, a quick setup ensures your Verity Sense is ready to perform.

• Unboxing and Charging Upon unboxing, it's recommended to fully charge your Verity Sense. Connect the sensor to its USB charging adapter and plug it into a USB port. The LED will blink white during charging and turn solid green when fully charged. A full charge typically provides up to 30 hours of training time.
• Downloading the Polar Flow App The Polar Flow app (available on iOS and Android) is essential for managing your Verity Sense, updating firmware, and syncing recorded training data. Download and install it on your smartphone.
• Initial Pairing with Your Device
  1. Activate the Sensor: Press the side button once to turn the sensor on. The LED will light up.
  2. Open Polar Flow: Open the Polar Flow app on your phone and log in or create a Polar account.
  3. Pair Device: Follow the on-screen instructions in the app to add your Verity Sense. You may need to hold the sensor close to your phone. The app will detect the sensor and prompt you to pair it.
  4. Confirm Pairing: Once paired, the app will display your Verity Sense and its current battery status.
• Firmware Updates Regularly check for firmware updates via the Polar Flow app. These updates often improve accuracy, add new features, or fix bugs, ensuring your sensor operates optimally. The app will typically notify you when an update is available.

Wearing the Polar Verity Sense for Optimal Accuracy

The flexibility in wearing the Verity Sense is a key feature, but proper placement is crucial for accurate optical heart rate readings.

• Armband Placement This is the most common and recommended placement for general activities.

  • Forearm or Upper Arm: Place the sensor snugly against your skin, either on the inside or outside of your forearm or upper arm.
  • Muscle Belly: Ensure the sensor sits on the thickest part of a muscle belly, not directly over a bone or tendon.
  • Snug Fit: The armband should be tight enough to prevent the sensor from moving during exercise but not so tight that it restricts blood flow or causes discomfort.
  • Distance from Joint: Position the sensor at least one finger-width away from your wrist or elbow joint.

• Swimming Goggle Strap Clip For swimming, the Verity Sense comes with a clip designed to attach to your swim goggles.

  • Temple Placement: Clip the sensor to the side of your goggle strap, ensuring the sensor's optical window rests firmly against your temple.
  • Secure Fit: Make sure the goggles and clip are secure enough to keep the sensor in constant contact with your skin throughout your swim. This placement allows for accurate heart rate tracking and distance measurement in the pool.

• Sensor-Only Placement (Tight Clothing) For specific activities or personal preference, the sensor can be placed directly against the skin under tight-fitting clothing.

  • Direct Skin Contact: Ensure the sensor's optical window is in direct, firm contact with the skin.
  • Location: Common locations include the bicep, tricep, or even around the calf, provided the clothing holds it securely and prevents movement.
  • Avoid Movement: Any movement or slipping of the sensor can lead to inaccurate readings.

• Considerations for Optical Heart Rate (OHR) Accuracy

  • Skin Contact: Consistent, firm skin contact is paramount.
  • Temperature: Cold skin can constrict blood vessels, potentially affecting accuracy. Warm up slightly before starting.
  • Movement Artifacts: Intense, jerky movements (e.g., weightlifting, boxing) can sometimes interfere with OHR readings due to motion artifacts.
  • Tattoos: Dark tattoos can absorb the light emitted by the sensor, potentially reducing accuracy. Try a different placement if you have tattoos in common wearing areas.

Understanding Operating Modes and Data Collection

The Verity Sense offers different operating modes to suit various training scenarios.

• Heart Rate Mode (Default)
  • Function: In this mode, the Verity Sense acts as a real-time heart rate transmitter, broadcasting your heart rate data via Bluetooth® and ANT+ to any compatible device or app.
  • Activation: Turn on the sensor by pressing the side button once. The LED will blink green twice, then once every second.
  • Usage: Ideal when you're using a sports watch, cycling computer, or fitness app that records your workout data.
• Recording Mode
  • Function: This mode allows the Verity Sense to record your training session internally without needing to be paired with another device. It stores heart rate, time, and calories burned. When used for swimming, it also records distance and pace.
  • Activation: Press the side button twice quickly. The LED will turn solid green, then blink green once every second.
  • Usage: Perfect for activities where you don't want to carry a watch or phone (e.g., swimming, team sports, or if your primary device is out of battery).
  • Data Sync: After your workout, sync the recorded data to the Polar Flow app to view your session details.
• Swimming Mode
  • Function: A specialized recording mode designed for swimming, which automatically detects your swimming style, distance, pace, and strokes, in addition to heart rate.
  • Activation: This mode is automatically engaged when the sensor is placed in the swimming goggle strap clip and recording mode is activated.
  • Usage: Provides comprehensive swim metrics for performance analysis.
• Switching Modes
  • From Off to HR Mode: Single press of the side button.
  • From Off to Recording Mode: Double press of the side button.
  • From HR Mode to Recording Mode: Double press of the side button.
  • From Recording Mode to HR Mode: Single press of the side button.
  • Turning Off: Press and hold the side button until the LED blinks red, then turns off.

Integrating with Your Training Ecosystem

The Verity Sense's broad connectivity makes it a central hub for your training data.

• Connecting to Fitness Apps (e.g., Strava, MyFitnessPal, Peloton) Most popular fitness apps that support external heart rate sensors can connect to the Verity Sense via Bluetooth®.
  1. Turn on your Verity Sense in Heart Rate Mode.
  2. Open your preferred fitness app.
  3. Navigate to the app's settings or sensor pairing section.
  4. Select the Verity Sense from the list of available devices.
  5. Once connected, your heart rate will be displayed in the app and recorded with your workout.
• Pairing with Gym Equipment Many modern gym machines (treadmills, ellipticals, stationary bikes) are compatible with external heart rate sensors, often supporting both Bluetooth® and ANT+.
  1. Ensure the gym equipment has HR sensor compatibility.
  2. Turn on your Verity Sense in Heart Rate Mode.
  3. Follow the instructions on the gym machine's display to pair a heart rate sensor.
• Using with Cycling Computers/GPS Watches The Verity Sense is an excellent companion for GPS watches (e.g., Polar, Garmin, Wahoo, Coros) and cycling computers (e.g., Wahoo Elemnt, Garmin Edge).
  1. Turn on your Verity Sense in Heart Rate Mode.
  2. On your watch or computer, go to the sensor settings and add a new HR sensor.
  3. Select the Verity Sense from the detected devices.
  4. Your heart rate will be displayed on your device during your activity.
• Broadcasting HR Data The Verity Sense can broadcast to multiple Bluetooth® devices simultaneously (up to two) and to virtually unlimited ANT+ devices. This means you can send your heart rate to your sports watch and a gym machine, or to a cycling computer and a virtual training app (like Zwift) at the same time.

Maximizing Data Insights and Training Benefits

Understanding and utilizing the data collected by your Verity Sense can significantly enhance your training.

• Real-time Feedback When connected to a display device, the real-time heart rate data allows you to:
  • Maintain Target Zones: Stay within specific heart rate zones for endurance, fat burning, or high-intensity intervals.
  • Gauge Effort: Adjust your intensity based on your heart rate to prevent overtraining or undertraining.
  • Monitor Recovery: Observe how quickly your heart rate recovers after intense efforts.
• Post-Workout Analysis with Polar Flow After syncing your Verity Sense (especially after using Recording Mode), the Polar Flow app and web service provide detailed insights:
  • Heart Rate Graph: Visualize your heart rate changes throughout the workout.
  • Heart Rate Zones: See the time spent in each zone, helping you assess if you met your training goals.
  • Calories Burned: Accurate estimation of energy expenditure.
  • Training Load and Recovery Status: Polar Flow's advanced analytics can integrate Verity Sense data to help you manage your overall training stress and ensure adequate recovery.
• Interpreting Heart Rate Zones Polar Flow automatically calculates personalized heart rate zones based on your maximum heart rate. Understanding these zones is key:
  • Zone 1 (Very Light): Recovery, warm-up.
  • Zone 2 (Light): Basic endurance, long steady efforts.
  • Zone 3 (Moderate): Aerobic fitness improvement.
  • Zone 4 (Hard): Maximize performance capacity, speed endurance.
  • Zone 5 (Maximum): Peak efforts, very short intervals. Training within specific zones targets different physiological adaptations.
• Tracking Training Load and Recovery The Verity Sense contributes vital heart rate data to Polar's Smart Coaching features, including:
  • Training Load Pro™: Helps you understand how much you're straining your body and how it affects your performance.
  • Recovery Pro™ (with a compatible Polar watch): Provides personalized guidance on recovery needs.

Maintenance and Troubleshooting Tips

Proper care ensures the longevity and consistent performance of your Verity Sense.

• Cleaning Your Sensor
  • After Each Use: Rinse the sensor and armband under running water to remove sweat and dirt.
  • Mild Soap: Use a mild soap solution if needed, then rinse thoroughly.
  • Dry Completely: Allow the sensor and armband to air dry completely before storing.
  • Avoid Harsh Chemicals: Do not use alcohol, abrasive materials, or corrosive cleaners, as these can damage the sensor.
• Battery Life and Charging Best Practices
  • Regular Charging: Charge the sensor regularly, especially if you use it frequently.
  • Avoid Deep Discharges: While the battery is robust, consistently running it to 0% can slightly reduce its long-term capacity.
  • Storage: If storing for an extended period, charge the sensor to about 50-70%.
• Common Troubleshooting Scenarios
  • No Heart Rate Reading:
    • Ensure the sensor is turned on and in Heart Rate Mode.
    • Check for firm skin contact and proper placement.
    • Restart the sensor and the connected device/app.
    • Ensure the battery is charged.
  • Inaccurate Readings:
    • Verify the sensor is snug but not overly tight, and not moving.
    • Try a different wearing location (e.g., upper arm instead of forearm).
    • Check for dirt or debris on the optical window.
    • Consider environmental factors (cold skin, tattoos).
  • Connection Issues:
    • Ensure Bluetooth® (or ANT+) is enabled on your receiving device.
    • Move closer to the receiving device.
    • "Forget" or remove the sensor from your device's Bluetooth settings and re-pair it.
    • Check for firmware updates for both the Verity Sense and the receiving device.
  • Cannot Sync Recorded Data:
    • Ensure the sensor is turned on and close to your phone with the Polar Flow app open.
    • Check your phone's internet connection.
    • Restart the Polar Flow app.

Conclusion: Elevating Your Training with Verity Sense

The Polar Verity Sense is more than just a heart rate monitor; it's a versatile, intelligent tool designed to integrate seamlessly into your active lifestyle. By understanding its capabilities, ensuring proper usage, and leveraging the rich data it provides through the Polar Flow ecosystem, you can gain deeper insights into your body's responses to training, optimize your efforts, and ultimately achieve your fitness and performance goals with greater precision and comfort. Embrace the flexibility and accuracy of the Verity Sense to take your training to the next level.