Polar lays out roadmap for Flow app and web overhaul
Polar has just launched the Loop, a screenless fitness tracker positioned as a minimalist alternative to Whoop. The hardware sticks to the essentials, but the app experience is where Polar has lagged. That may be about to change. The company has shared a roadmap for a full overhaul of its Flow ecosystem, spanning both the mobile app and web platform.
This redesign is structured in phases, each with a specific goal. The entire plan is already underway. Please note, the images in this article are a concept design that Polar has done – not the final thing. So all of this is subject to change.
Phase 1 focused on backend groundwork
The first stage has been running quietly behind the scenes. It centered on changes to the Polar Flow web platform. Users might have noticed tweaks over the past few months, with more refined workout summaries and updated visualizations. This backend restructuring sets the foundation for everything that follows.
Phase 2 brings platform-wide updates
The next milestone begins in a few days. It focuses on revamping the smartphone app.
Android users will be the first to see the new version of the Flow app, followed by iOS by the end of September. This second phase brings visible UI changes, performance improvements, along with better data presentation.
Essential reading: Top fitness trackers and health gadgets
Some of the slides shared by Polar show clear signs of what’s coming. The home screen becomes more dynamic and data-centric, showing daily summaries, recent sessions and a breakdown of metrics like sleep recharge, training load and cardio output.
This version also introduces modular cards for things like weekly distance, personal bests, and activity trends. Each component is designed to adapt to the user’s focus, whether that’s endurance, recovery or daily readiness.
Phase 3 is a full UX rethink
The biggest overhaul arrives at the end of the year. Labeled as “Reimagining the experience,” this phase aims to fully modernize the mobile app. It promises a complete redesign of Flow’s structure, visuals, and interactivity. The focus will be on deeper personalisation, including sandbox-style tools and a more configurable UI.
From the slides, the redesign leans toward a darker, more immersive interface. There are onboarding elements that allow users to set their training background and sport preferences right from the start. The new structure introduces a layered navigation system where quick glances lead to more detailed insights. Cards for key metrics like sleep recharge, heart rate variability, and training records are treated as persistent elements rather than hidden away in menus.
Polar also hints at a tighter integration between the Flow app, Flow web, and Polar devices. This could address long-standing complaints about inconsistencies across platforms.
Here are some more screenshots.
Bridging the gap between hardware and software
While the Loop has generated curiosity, it’s clear that hardware alone won’t carry Polar forward. The competition from Whoop is more about the ecosystem than sensors.
This app roadmap feels like an acknowledgment that the Flow experience needs to catch up. If executed well, this could make Polar’s platform feel cohesive and scalable. Especially for those using multiple Polar devices or training across sports. And it could make Loop a more series alternative to Whoop.
The good news is that this isn’t vaporware. Phase 1 is already in place. Phase 2 lands within days. And Phase 3 is locked in for the end of the year. Whether this is enough to shift user sentiment remains to be seen, but Polar finally appears to be making real moves.
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