RUNNING TECH || Polar
Polar express
The heart rate monitor pioneer has built a huge fanbase of loyal runners. We uncover the secrets behind the science and the success of Polar
Words Esther Newman
The level of detail you get from a Polar watch and accompanying Flow app can revolutionise your training
Polar is a trailblazer in the world of running. A technology company with its origins firmly rooted in the power of human movement, Polar pioneered the sorts of tech that we’re all now used to using every day.
Polar started in Finland in 1977. Its founder – the beautifully named Seppo Säynäjäkangas – saw a direct link between increased intensity and heart rate while he was out skiing, and he set about developing a means to track heart rates so he could get feedback on his training.
Liz Shenton from Polar continues the story: “In 1982, Polar launched the first wire-free, wearable heart rate monitor. Before then, there had been lots of wires, and it had been a bit invasive. The wirefree element meant that Polar really pioneered sports wearable technology.”
Since that point, Polar has continued to be at the forefront of wearable innovation. “We had the world’s first online training analysis software in 2001,”says Liz. “That enabled pro athletes to work with our coaches and really see how their training was working. Then we introduced the first wearable activity tracker in 2007, well ahead of when activity tracking became mainstream.”