Overview: Price: £150 More info: Polar Chronograph: Yes Backlight: Yes Calories expended: Yes Special features: Keeps U Fit, OwnCal, OwnRelax, Training programs

Polar is one of the most respected HRM manufacturers in the world, indeed the Wikipedia article about HRMs sates that “The highest quality heart rate monitors are manufactured by Polar” http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heart_rate_monitor - good old fashioned objectivity there then. But retailing at a more expensive £150 does the F55 justify the extra expense?

Taking the F55 from the box the first thing that strikes you is the fact that it's a very attractive watch that certainly wouldn't look out of place in everyday life, the build quality too is markedly more solid durable feeling than the previous offering. The other thing you'll notice is the Eastern stylised numerical display and a relatively large yin yang symbol…

This most famous of Taoist signs is there not merely for decoration but to support Polar's assertion that the F55 caters to facilitate optimal exercise and monitor the equally important tenant of relaxation. In the same way that there can be no good without bad or no front without back, there can be no exercise without rest - we haven't even used the thing yet and we're already bloody enlightened!

The relaxation test is performed over five minutes and records your OwnRelax value, as you become fitter so to should your relaxed state become more pronounced. Who would have thought it, exercise more to relax more - all of which ties in with the idea of exercise and rest being opposite ends of the same pole. Oohh, aren't we deep?

Where the GT2 provided us with the tools to build our exercise programs around, the F55 goes one further and will create personalised workouts based upon your unique stats and goals with the Keeps U Fit application. Nicely it includes options for both cardio training and weight lifting training based upon the credentials you enter (age, weight, height, activity level etc). That said, the workouts suggested won't cater to a more advanced athlete as they offer limited flexibility, for example when setting up a weightlifting program the maximum amount of sets per exercise is capped at three whereas many people will be looking to do 5 or more. Nevertheless, for the beginner they provide a good introduction to setting up a training plan.

Another great feature is the OwnIndex fitness test which is comparable to a VO2 max, this can be performed as often as you like with the results being stored and represented in graph form - perfect for tracking progress and staying motivated.

A curious addition to the F55 is the ability to transfer data from your PC to the watch, by the medium of sound. Choosing not to go with Bluetooth or Wi-fi, or even a USB lead, the Polar UpLink Tool emits a series of particularly annoying beeps to transmit data. It's all a bit of a pain really and chances are you won't want to bother with it.

In summary then, it does everything the GT2 can with more style and some bells and whistles, but at nearly twice the price you have to decide if it's really worth the extra outlay. It's also worth noting that the F55 will not display HR and percentage of HR concurrently, it's one or the other which is a little disappointing.

	At a glance

The good:	Attractive design, enormous feature list, useful modes
The bad:	Expensive, Keep U Fit is limited, connectivity is needless complex

Overview: Price: £50 More info: Nike Chronograph: Yes Backlight: No Calories expended: No Special features: None

Perhaps the most familiar of the HRMs on test Nike's Triax C3 should be considered an entry level model costing a very reasonable £50. The question has to be asked though, does the low price tag indicate an inferior product?

With Nike established as much as fashion brand as a sports brand you'd expect the Triax C3 to look the part and it doesn't disappoint: the sleek strap and watchface are seamlessly combined, providing the perfect mount for the large screen with trademark oversized numerical display. Very comfortable to wear with an easy to view display, the C3 is, dare we say it, bordering upon fashionable.

The Triax C3 has three functions: clock, chronograph and heart rate monitor. As an entry level model it doesn't do anything fancy just the basics. The clock and chronograph functions more or less speak for themselves so we'll just focus upon the hear rate features. Whereas the other two models on test take into account factors such as age, weight, height, desired training level and more to 'coach' you in your training session and break down results for you to review, the C3 literally just displays your current heart rate.

You can consider this in two ways: That heart rate is all you need to be aware of and that with that knowledge you can make sure you're in the target zone for your desired activity/goal, i.e. that the simplicity puts you firmly in control. Alternatively, it could be seen that your missing out on valuable information - for example you may reach maximal hear rate mid set of heavy lifting and therefore not see it in your watch (hence not knowing how intensely you're working), a review showing you HR peak and average offers you that luxury. You'll also be forgoing the ability to view calories expended and, whilst not the be all and end all, this is a very useful feature.

In conclusion then, Nike's Triax C3 is excellent basic model but does give up some useful features to its more expensive counterparts. If simplicity is your preference though, the C3 is stylish, practical and affordable.

	At a glance

The good:	Great design, large text display
The bad:	Limited features

	Verdict

It could be argued that because all three of the heart rate monitors on test here offer different levels of sophistication that to pick a winner is unfair as the playing field isn't level. However, it's precisely that which makes it all the more important to pick a winner; if the more expensive model isn't the best why waste your money? Nike's Triax C3 offers a solid, simple HRM but is just too feature light to be a real contender, Polar's F55 looks great and has an incredible feature list with some really useful additions, but our winner is the Cardiosport GT2. Though less featured and less pretty than the F55 it has the right blend of useful, easy to implement features, the most detailed display and a price tag that doesn't offend - ultimately the GT2 will be a better workout aid than the other two, it's not without its flaws but it is nonetheless highly recommended.