Polar has introduced a new subscription-based training program for its GPS watches – a bold move in a market increasingly skeptical of paywalled features. Coming on the heels of Garmin’s controversial Connect+ subscription launch, Polar’s offering arrives amid heated debate over the value of add-on services for devices that users already paid a premium for. This article takes a deep dive into Polar’s new Fitness Program subscription – examining its features, pricing, content, device compatibility, and user experience – and compares it head-to-head with Garmin’s Connect+ service. We adopt a critical, journalistic tone to assess whether Polar’s subscription delivers enough value to justify its cost, ultimately suggesting that in its current form, it may not be worth the price for most users.
Overview of Polar’s Fitness Program Subscription
Polar’s Fitness Program is a premium, adaptive training service integrated into the Polar Flow ecosystem. It builds upon Polar’s existing training features (like the free FitSpark daily workout suggestions) by offering more comprehensive and long-range guidance. Announced in April 2025, Polar pitched the Fitness Program as "an exciting new way to stay active with adaptive, science-backed training plans" tailored to each user’s fitness level and recovery. In essence, it’s a personalized coaching plan within the Polar Flow app, designed to remove guesswork from your workout routine by telling you exactly what exercises to do each day and week.
Key features include:
- Adaptive cardio-based workouts
- 20 progressive training levels
- Weekly planning with rest days
- Video guidance for strength/mobility workouts
- Personalized workout prescriptions based on HR data
- Automatic syncing with Polar watches
Unlike one-off training plans aimed at a single race or goal, Polar’s program is open-ended and adaptive. During setup, you input (or Polar auto-detects) your fitness background and training frequency. The program then generates a weekly schedule of workouts, mixing cardio, strength, and mobility sessions. Workouts are structured by heart-rate zones, not pace or distance.
Features and User Experience: Adaptive Training in Action
The daily experience involves guided workouts that adapt based on your readiness (sleep, recovery metrics). Hard sessions are dialed down if you're fatigued. Polar pushes workouts to your watch, so it’s ready to go each day.
Strengths:
- Smart recovery-aware scheduling
- Smooth integration with watches
- Video demos for strength routines
Weaknesses:
- App and web UI feel dated
- Coexistence with FitSpark and race plans can be confusing
- No social/community or challenge features
The plan tracks progress with a gamified "leveling" system and weekly summaries. However, engagement tools like badges, community comparisons, or challenges are missing. It's a solitary, not social, experience.
Pricing and Value Proposition
At launch, the subscription costs €9.99/month (approx. $11/month USD). There's no annual plan yet, but one is expected (~€70-€80/year). A 14-day free trial is offered.
Device Compatibility: Most current and many past Polar watches.
Availability: Initially Android-only in Europe; iOS and other regions coming Q2 2025.
This pricing is higher than Garmin Connect+ ($6.99/month) and others like Fitbit Premium or Apple Fitness+. Early adopters are asked to pay full price without discounts or annual options.
Is it worth it?
That depends. If you already use FitSpark or a third-party plan, this adds polish and adaptivity, but not necessarily innovation. For budget-conscious users, the free tier likely offers enough guidance.
Comparison: Polar Fitness Program vs Garmin Connect+
| Feature | Polar Fitness Program | Garmin Connect+ |
|---|---|---|
| Price | €9.99/month (no annual yet) | $6.99/month or $69/year |
| Focus | Adaptive training/coaching | Analytics, insights, social features |
| Training Plans | Yes – structured, progressive | Free on Garmin devices |
| Videos | Yes – human demo videos for workouts | Yes – limited to Connect+ content |
| New Metrics/Analytics | None beyond existing Polar Flow | Yes – AI insights, performance dashboards |
| Social/Community | None added | Enhanced LiveTrack, badges, profile flair |
| Device Compatibility | All recent Polar watches | Most Garmin devices |
| Free Tier Impact | No change to free features | Some new features now behind paywall |
Garmin Connect+ adds new analytical layers and social tools, while keeping its core training plans free. Polar charges for training structure and coaching, which Garmin users get at no extra cost. This is a tough comparison for Polar.
Critical Perspective: Should You Subscribe?
Here are the key reasons not to subscribe (at least for now):
- Overlap with free features: FitSpark and race plans already offer structured guidance.
- Lack of innovation: The program repackages existing ideas with modest polish.
- Subscription fatigue: Customers are tired of being asked to pay for features they expected to be included.
- Missed opportunity: Polar’s promising new recovery band (360) is not yet available to consumers, where a hardware + subscription bundle could have had more appeal.
If you’re a Polar loyalist who wants extra structure, it may be worth trying the free trial. But for most users, the value isn’t compelling enough to pay monthly.
Conclusion: Proceed with Caution
The Polar Fitness Program isn’t a bad product. It’s solidly executed and integrates well. But in a world where Garmin and others offer similar (or better) training guidance for free, Polar’s subscription feels late, overpriced, and a bit tone-deaf.
Unless you find that the structured plan dramatically improves your training motivation or results, you’re likely better off sticking with the free tools you already have. At $10+ a month, it just doesn’t clear the bar.
Our recommendation: Try the trial, but hold off on subscribing long-term. Watch to see if Polar adds more value or adjusts pricing. For now, it's a decent idea that lacks the polish and punch to truly justify the price tag.
Verdict: Not worth it — yet.