Arnar Lárusson, stofnandi Tymewear, was recently interviewed by mbl.is. In the interview, he said that the company is at a turning point, and he expects the strap to become standard equipment for elite athletes around the world in the coming years—as well as for people more generally who want to improve their fitness.
The idea behind the Tymewear strap is that, instead of measuring heart rate as traditional straps do, it measures breathing using a highly precise silicone sensor. The sensor detects changes in chest surface area or movement, and thus the amount of oxygen inhaled. In addition, it records breathing frequency, giving a measurement of total breathing volume over time.
The original idea was in the form of a training shirt with the sensor embedded, but testing revealed that while people were excited about the sensor, the shirt itself was the main obstacle. The team therefore shifted to developing the strap.The first version of the strap was completed last year, and the team immediately began showcasing the product at conferences to potential buyers, receiving very positive feedback. Among those interested was the cycling team Team Visma | Lease a Bike, one of the world’s largest cycling teams, with stars such as two-time Tour de France winner Jonas Vingegaard and Wout van Aert. The team now has an agreement with Tymewear for all its riders, both men and women.
The Norwegian Olympic Committee also expressed interest in using the strap. Norway has been a global leader in endurance sports such as cross-country skiing and triathlon.
