Runners all around the world are faced with a common problem when bringing their cell phones out on a run. The vast majority of phone armbands require runners to insert their phones into a pocket and zip it up to keep it from moving and also protect it from the elements, such as rain. It means taking the device out can be quite cumbersome and can slow a runner down. Also, measuring performance tends to happen at the end of a training session, not during it, as accessing apps can be quite difficult.
A new device, Shapeheart, is seeking to change this. Its makers claim that it is the first running armband which offers a magnetic cell phone case which helps runners to remove their devices in an instant in order to measure their heart rate. The company says that their magnetic system can withstand 30 times the weight of a regular smartphone and that runners can check a wide variety of apps which gauge performance and heart rate while running, thanks to a sensor contained within the armband.
A Kickstarter campaign to finance the manufacturing of the first batch of the product is currently underway and was launched at the start of this month. Within six days of the funding drive it reached its goal and has now already exceeded its target of over $39,000 with more than a month remaining before it closes. It has been backed by 387 people to date.
Get The Latest Sports Tech News In Your Inbox!
Shapeheart, which currently has three cell phone sizings, sees runners attach their cell phones to the armband and the magnets then secure it in place. The phone is placed, much like standard armbands in a touch-screen windowed compartment to protect it from the weather and there is a fingerprint hole to unlock certain smartphone devices.
Also, importantly, it is fitted with a removable optical sensor, which pairs with a cell phone via Bluetooth. Once connected, this sensor, positioned to measure the pulse in the upper part of the arm, directly displays a runner’s heart beat in a running app of their choice. It works in conjunction with all the major heart rate monitoring apps, including Runtastic, Endomondo, Nike Run Club, Strava and more. The battery for this sensor can also last up to 25 hours long.
The product was first prototyped in February 2016, and the makers say that in the past year they have tested Shapeheart over 300 times with running enthusiasts in order to optimize the product. Since March 2017 the company has pre-produced 30 armbands, that again they have been testing with more runners.
In their Kickstarter video, Antoine Schwoob, CEO and creator said: “With Shapeheart we want to bring a better experience to running by turning your phone into a real running device.”
The device is currently scheduled to be priced at retail at $87 ahead of launch.