Polar Heart Rate Monitors use multiple methods for determining your OwnZone. The primary method is to measure and analyze the heart rate variability. During the warm-up period, the Polar Heart Rate Monitor analyzes your heart's beating. It guides you through an appropriate warm-up routine and automatically determines a safe and effective exercise heart rate zone - your OwnZone. The OwnZone takes the user's current physical condition at the time of the warm-up into account when calculating the OwnZone.

Alternatively, the Polar Heart Rate Monitor will automatically calculate OwnZone limits based on your age predicted maximum heart rate (220 - age). OwnZone corresponds in most individuals to 65-85% of the maximum heart rate.

Polar OwnZone Advanced divides the OwnZone basic area into OwnZone high and OwnZone low. This division provides greater flexibility in exercising, as the OwnZone basic area can be rather wide (for instance, up to 40 beats for a 20-year-old person. The OwnZone low corresponds to light-to-moderate/ moderate intensity level, or about 65-78% of your maximum heart rate. Exercise at this intensity can be conducted for extensive periods of time and often, for instance, daily or and even several times a day. The OwnZone Low is ideal for weight loss-related exercise for sedentary and less fit individuals, for those rehabilitating from a disease or for athletes recovering from more intensive training. OwnZone High correspond to moderate intensity or, at most, to heavy intensity exercise which typically targets to fitness benefits and corresponds to about 78-87% of your maximum heart rate.