TIMEX is on a Mission to Make Heart Rate Monitors More Comfortable for Everyone

MIDDLEBURY, Conn., March 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Timex, the leader in outdoor and sports performance timepieces, will become the first manufacturer to offer fabric chest sensors with all its heart rate monitors, from entry level all the way up to advanced.

Timex has an unparalleled heritage of creating innovative, technologically advanced and reliable timepieces for endurance athletes. The brand first showcased the new fabric Flex Tech™ HRM sensors at Outdoor Retailer Winter Market 2013. The upgraded sensors will feature improved durability and comfort for performance athletes.  Straps in Small, Large, and XXL will also be available as replacements to be used if an athlete currently owns a Timex® heart rate monitor.

Of all the personal health equipment you own, the Heart Rate Monitor may be your most valuable one because only the monitor can measure the intensity level of your exercise. Your heart rate provides a true index of your current fitness level and a solid way to measure fitness improvement. You can use your Heart Rate Monitor to assess fitness, monitor stress, motivate yourself, manage your energy and organize your workouts.

"At Timex we are constantly looking to elevate our portfolio of easy-to-use, durable products for athletes across all disciplines," said Sam Martin, Senior Brand Manager, Sports. "We know that regardless of price point, athletes won't use an HRM unless it is comfortable. We incorporated this feedback into designing the new fabric straps which now offer the perfect combination of functionality and lightweight comfort, while still conforming to our rigorous performance standards."

These changes will take place across the full Timex HRM product line.

The Timex® IRONMAN® Road Trainer™ HRM will now combine the new, washable Flex Tech™ HRM Strap/Belt with the latest in watch styling.  The product allows athletes to program a two-segment Interval Timer and choose from six Target Zones with alerts.  The new line of HRMs also comes equipped with single workout memory with recall of up to 50 lap/split times and average/peak heart rates, time in zone and calories burned for the workout. Designed for athletes who are focused on heart rate training, the Timex® IRONMAN® Road Trainer HRM™ is an advanced digital heart rate monitor that offers performance and comfort in a next-generation style. 

Also upgrading to fabric sensors are the Timex® Zone Trainer™ and Easy Trainer™ HRMs.   The Zone Trainer model boasts an in-zone graphic display and memory chronograph that meet the needs of fitness enthusiasts who pursue their goals in the gym or outside. The device offers a 27-lap recall of lap/split times, data for calories burned, auto/manual recovery of heart rate and heart rate in BPM and digital.

The Easy Trainer model offers an automatic elapsed time, heart rate in BPM, and an analog transmission compatible with home fitness equipment. 

The Timex® Personal Trainers™ HRM will feature the new, washable Flex Tech™ HRM Strap/Belt. These monitors deliver essential fitness management data in a simple-to-operate watch. Timex® Personal Trainers™ HRM's features an analog transmission sensor compatible with heart-rate enabled fitness equipment, a recovery heart rate timer as well as one custom target zone with alerts and heart rate in BPM.

Technologically advanced for modern athletes, the newest collection of Timex products retains the reliability, ease-of-use and affordability that users have come to expect from Timex. Products are available at sports specialty retailers worldwide and on Timex.com. 

About Timex Sports Watches:

Timex has an unparalleled heritage of creating innovative, technologically advanced and reliable timepieces for athletes of all fitness levels, having introduced the first licensed IRONMAN brand watch in 1986. The Timex IRONMAN brand legacy of leadership, innovation and style in international sport is evident in the brand's extensive anthology of elite training devices and fitness aids. Timex IRONMAN timepieces are worn by athletes on every continent and have been added to the Smithsonian National Museum of America.  Fans are invited to engage with the brand on www.Facebook.com/TimexSports.

Timex's presence in the fitness world has been evident for years via its partnership with the New York Road Runners in conjunction with the ING New York City Marathon Ironman Triathlon event series and several worldwide marathon sponsorships. With a wide array of wellness and training instruments priced at various levels, Timex has established a broad appeal to the millions of consumers who want to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

About IRONMAN:

The iconic IRONMAN^® Series of events is the largest participation sports platform in the world.  Since the inception of the IRONMAN^® brand in 1978, athletes have proven that ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE^® by crossing finish lines at the world's most challenging endurance races. Recognized for excellence through distinguished events, world-class athletes and quality products, World Triathlon Corporation (d/b/a IRONMAN), owner and operator of the IRONMAN^® Series, has grown from owner of a single race to a global sensation with more than 190 events across five unique brands: IRONMAN^®, IRONMAN 70.3^®, 5150^™ Triathlon Series, Iron Girl^® and IronKids^®. For more information, visit www.ironman.com

About the Timex Group

Timex Group designs, manufactures and markets innovative timepieces and jewelry globally. Founded in 1854, Timex is part of Timex Group, a privately-held company with numerous brands and over 5,000 employees worldwide. It is one of the largest watch makers in the world with companies and exclusive licenses worldwide.

SOURCE Timex Group