Sports tech company Polar has released its annual training data analysis, revealing users averaged 301 minutes of weekly exercise in 2025 – double World Health Organization recommendations. The data, drawn from millions of workouts, shows growing adoption of structured training and heart rate monitoring.
Sports technology firm Polar has released its ”2025: Reflected” report, revealing significant shifts in how users approach fitness training. The report, titled “2025 Reflected,” analyzes data from millions of workouts recorded globally between Dec. 1, 2024 and Nov. 30, 2025, supplemented by user survey data collected in autumn 2025.
The data shows Polar users averaged 301 minutes of weekly training time in 2025, doubling the World Health Organization’s recommended 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity per week. Users logged more than 150 different types of activities through the Polar Flow platform.
Running remained the dominant activity, accounting for 14 percent of all recorded workouts. Walking followed at 12 percent, strength training at 9 percent, and cycling at 6 percent. April 27 recorded the highest number of runs logged, coinciding with major marathon events including the London Marathon and races in Madrid and Hamburg.
Long-term commitment over quick wins
The report highlights a fundamental shift in user mindset toward sustained, methodical training approaches. “It’s not about quick wins; it’s about long-term commitment,” the report notes. “Polar users are deeply committed to putting in the work. Most don’t just train by feel – they follow structured plans, track their progress, and stay consistent week after week.”
Among surveyed Polar users, 59 percent reported following a structured training plan to guide their workouts in 2025. This represents a notable departure from ad-hoc exercise patterns toward structured, goal-oriented fitness strategies. The approach reflects what Polar describes as “a long-term approach to getting stronger, healthier, and more resilient over time.”
Heart rate monitoring emerged as the cornerstone of this data-driven training methodology. An overwhelming 87 percent of users monitored heart rate during training sessions, using it as their preferred method to estimate effort and intensity. “Training by heart rate is the preferred way to estimate effort and intensity,” the report states. “The majority of Polar users measure heart rate during their workouts. It’s a simple habit that helps them train smarter, stay in the right zones, and make every session count.”
The marathon continues to serve as a defining long-term goal for many users. Survey data indicates 52 percent of Polar users plan to participate in an organized race in the coming year, pointing to sustained demand for performance-oriented training tools and race-day products.
Health and wellness as primary motivation
When asked about their training motivation, Polar users prioritized holistic health outcomes over performance metrics or external validation. “Personal records and medals are nice, but the real motivation to keep moving and training is health,” the report explains. “For most Polar users, it’s about feeling better, having more energy, sleeping well, and staying strong enough to enjoy life today and in the future.”
The data provides comparative insights both globally and at country level, allowing users to benchmark their training patterns against broader community trends through the Polar Flow platform.
Our three takeaways from the Polar 2025 report for you
The Polar findings provide valuable insights into consumer behavior trends. We have identified three key themes that will also inspire our SGI Europe coverage in 2026:
1. From Tracking to Training
The shift toward structured, long-term training signals evolving product requirements. Consumers increasingly expect connected devices that support systematic progression rather than just tracking isolated workouts. This opens opportunities for integrated coaching platforms, adaptive plans, and longitudinal analytics.
2. Heart Rate as Standard
With 87% adoption, heart rate monitoring is now a baseline expectation, not a premium feature. Brands in wearables and smart apparel must ensure accurate biometric measurement to remain competitive.
3. Holistic Wellness over Pure Performance
The motivation to “feel better”—prioritizing energy and sleep—shows demand extending beyond performance. This wellness-first mindset drives opportunities for recovery tools, sleep tracking, and holistic health products.
Download the report: “Reflected” by Polar
