adidas and Polar Introduce the World’s First Completely Integrated Training System

Helsinki/Herzogenaurach, Germany, August 4--Polar Electro, the innovative leader in heart rate monitoring, and adidas, one of the world’s leading sports brands, have formed a partnership that will introduce the world’s first completely integrated training system. Called “Project Fusion”, it seamlessly integrates Polar heart rate and speed and distance monitoring equipment into adidas apparel and footwear.

The integration simplifies use and increases comfort, allowing the products to become part of the athlete. Included in the project are the adidas adiStar Fusion range of apparel (t-shirts, long sleeve shirts, bras, women’s tops), the adidas adiStar Fusion shoe, Polar’s s3™ Stride Sensor, The Polar WearLink™ transmitter, and The Polar RS800™ Running Computer.

How does it work? Special fibers bonded onto adidas tops, work in conjunction with Polar’s Wear Link™ technology to eliminate the need for a separate chest strap to monitor heart rate. Just snap the tiny Polar WearLink connector onto the front of the shirt and go. The data is sent to the Polar RS 800™ wrist-mounted running computer, which easily displays and records all information in real time. Simply put, your shirt talks to your running computer.

The adiStar Fusion shoe has a strategically placed cavity in the midsole which can house the very light Polar s3™ Stride Sensor, making it easier to use, more comfortable and more consistently accurate than top-of-shoe systems. And you won’t even know it’s there when your shoe is talking to your running computer.

Information like speed and distance, chronograph functions, along with heart rate, are also shown on the RS800™ in real time. And when the workout is over, all data can be downloaded onto a computer so workouts can be easily managed and analyzed, meaning the whole system talks to you.

“The great thing about the system is that it’s so easy to use,” says Michael Birke, adidas Running Business Unit Manager. “By putting all the best equipment into one package, it’s made training simpler, more comfortable and more precise. The system is greater than the sum of its parts.”

“An athlete can train more effectively with the right objective information,” says Marco Suvilaakso, Running Segment Manager for Polar Electro. “This system caters to the individual, with precise and personalized feedback.”

Purchasing the entire system—Polar RS 800™, Polar s3™ Stride Sensor, adiStar Fusion top and adiStar Fusion shoe—will be around 640 Euros/680 Dollars.

The products are available as separate pieces as well, and available in spring of 2006.

For more information, please visit www.adidas-Polar.com