[2] Polar was founded in 1977, and the company filed its first patent for wireless heart rate measurement three years later.

In 1982, Polar launched the world's first wearable wire-free heart rate monitor, the Sport Tester PE 2000.

[4][5][6] Today, Polar has products ranging from basic models for beginners to fitness enthusiasts and training systems designed for elite athletes.

In part due to its own history, and the affiliation with universities and the scientific community, Polar offers a research co-operation programme focused on supporting studies in exercise science.

[11][12] In July 2018, Dutch newspaper De Correspondent revealed that Polar's fitness app shows users on the map, making it possible to find out their real names, profession and home addresses.