Tools I use
Why I Use WHOOP
What it measures, who it is for, and where it falls short.
The short version
You can't improve what you can't see
Most of us guess how well we slept, how recovered we are and whether last night's drinks actually mattered. WHOOP replaces the guesswork with data: sleep, recovery, strain, resting heart rate and heart rate variability, tracked around the clock on a small screenless band.
I use it because it keeps me honest. A bad night shows up in the numbers, and so does a good habit.
What it tracks
The numbers that matter
Sleep
How long and how well you actually slept, not how long you were in bed.
Recovery
A daily readiness score so you know when to push and when to back off.
Strain
How hard your day and your training really were on your body.
HRV and resting heart rate
Early signals of stress, illness, overtraining or poor sleep, and how alcohol affects them.
Honest take
Who it is for, and who it isn't
It suits you if you train regularly, want objective feedback on sleep and recovery, or are cutting back on alcohol and want to see the difference in your body.
It isn't for you if you dislike wearing anything, don't want another subscription, or expect a tracker to do the work for you. It is a wellness tool, not a medical device, and it won't diagnose anything.
Pair it with blood tests. A wearable shows how your body behaves day to day. A blood test shows what's happening inside, such as hormones, iron, vitamin D and cholesterol. Together they give a much fuller picture. Boost & Glow, my own clinic, offers venous blood testing at home or work across Essex, Hertfordshire and London.
Affiliate link: if you join through it, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. WHOOP's own site has current plans and prices.
Questions
Frequently asked
What does WHOOP measure?
WHOOP is a screenless wearable that tracks sleep, recovery, strain, resting heart rate and heart rate variability, so you can see how your body responds to training, stress, alcohol and sleep.
Is WHOOP worth it for training and recovery?
It is most useful if you train regularly and want objective feedback on sleep and recovery. It will not train for you, and it is a wellness tracker, not a medical device.
Does WHOOP need a subscription?
WHOOP works on a membership basis rather than a one-off purchase. Check WHOOP's own site for current plans and prices.
Is this an affiliate link?
Yes. If you join through the link on this page, MASBOD may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.