Back in July 2019, we asked whether FORM swim goggles with AR display can be better for swimmers than wrist fitness wearables? The answer so far has been a resounding yes. Since then, the sports technology company has announced that their swim goggles will support Polar’s heart rate technology as of November 2019. Their objective is for the Polar OH1 and OH1+ to enable a level of training effectiveness and precision never before experienced by swimmers.
Delivering performance metrics in real
“FORM has worked closely with Polar since 2018 to enable this functionality,” said Dan Eisenhardt, founder and CEO of FORM. “We’ve done extensive testing in the pool with swimmers of all levels, including elite competitive swimmers, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the results. Polar heart rate monitor tech is trusted by athletes around the world; by adding it to the arsenal of metrics that our goggles already deliver, we’ll empower serious swimmers to make their training even smarter and more purposeful. We’ll also further empower coaches and enhance the coach-swimmer dynamic.”
The Polar OH1/OH1+ will attach to the FORM Swim Goggles strap, where it will sit snugly against the swimmer’s temple, monitoring heart rate using its 6 LED optical sensor and proprietary heart rate algorithm. Real-time heart rate data will be transmitted wirelessly from the OH1/OH1+ to the FORM Swim Goggles, enabling the swimmer to see their heart rate in their line of sight, while they swim. Once the swim is complete, syncing the goggles with the FORM Swim App for iPhone™ and Android® will allow the swimmer and their coach to review detailed workout stats, including heart rate.
“FORM Swim Goggles, enable the swimmer to see their heart rate in their line of sight, while they swim.”
On their collaboration, Tom Fowler, President of Polar USA explained: “FORM has built a truly transformative product, and we’re proud to have worked with them over the past year to bring Polar heart rate to the FORM Swim Goggles. Polar continues to be the gold standard in heart rate technology, with constant advancements in our hardware and software products continually raising the industry benchmarks for accuracy and reliability. Today’s announcement takes our leadership to an exciting new frontier.”
Completed swims will sync to the FORM Swim App for iPhone® and Android™, which will match up heart rate data to metrics like split times, stroke rate, stroke count, pace per 100, and calories in a single, easy-to-navigate view. Armed with these tools, swimmers and coaches will gain greater insight into each swim, and they’ll be able to design future swim workouts with greater precision than ever before.
I must admit that for me, the selling point is the goggles ability to enable swimmers to precisely measure their effort at the moment. The FORM Swim Goggles are available now from FORM. The Polar OH1 and OH1+ are available now from Polar and its authorized distributors and retailers. The FORM Swim Goggles will support the Polar OH1 and OH1+ starting on November 2019 with a free software update from FORM.
