Before I tell you about the new Polar FT40 training computer, I admit fitness gadgets usually don't turn me on.

I once tried a strapless, heart-rate monitor. You had to place your thumb on the watch sensor for 30 seconds to see how fast your heart was pounding. That's darn near impossible when you're running at a decent clip.

Another gadget that kept track of time, distance and pace conked out as soon as enough perspiration seeped into it, and the pace was accurate only if you ran at the same speed all the time. That's no help if you like to do intervals -- speed up, slow down, repeat.

Because I like interval training, Polar's FT40, which includes a wrist watch and chest strap with a transmitter, caught my attention because it lets you know whether you're training in the fat-burning zone or the fitness zone. So I gave it a try, and a week later, I think I'm hooked. Here's why:

• Simplicity: It takes just a few minutes to punch a few buttons and enter your height, weight, date of birth and sex.

• Comfort: The chest strap stays in place, even when you're moving faster than nine miles per hour, working your pecs or swimming laps.

• Coolness: Based on your data, the wrist watch displays whether you're in the fat-burning zone or the fitness zone. For example, if your fitness zone is a heart rate of 115 or higher, you'll always see the number 115 beneath a bigger number indicating your actual heart rate. You'll know to keep your heart rate below 115 if you want to be in the fat-burning zone and above 115 for the fitness zone. For those who are serious about training, this information is crucial. In the fat-burning zone, you're mostly burning fat calories and increasing your metabolism. In the fitness zone, you're giving your heart a heck of a workout and increasing blood circulation to your muscles.

• Fitness test: The FT40 will help you determine your fitness level, from very low to elite. For this test, you'll wear the gadget and lie quietly for a few minutes while it measures your aerobic capacity. A chart in the user manual will help you interpret the results.

• Training data: After training, the watch displays calories burned, percentage of fat calories burned, average heart rate, maximum heart rate and time spent in the fitness zone and in the fat-burning zone. Your 50 most recent sessions are continually stored. You can also transfer the data to polarpersonaltrainer.com and keep a journal with detailed graphs.

Now, a few things I don't like:

• Pay up: If you want to transfer your data to polarpersonaltrainer.com, you must buy a Polar FlowLink. No, it's not included in the $179.95 price of the FT40. It's sold separately for $54.95.

• Be patient: The FlowLink is too sensitive. The watch must be placed face down on the FlowLink, which connects to your computer through a USB port. The data-transfer process should begin automatically, but it won't if the FlowLink is placed on a metal object or if the watch is not completely still.

Overall, the FT40 is the best fitness gadget I've ever tried. If you're not into charts and journals, I recommend against buying the FlowLink. If you want more than what the FT40 offers, check out the new FT60 ($239.95), which adapts to your personal exercise habits and provides weekly feedback and updated goals. It synchs with a GPS sensor or foot pod, sold separately, to track speed and distance. More info: http://www.polarusa.com/us-en

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