Whoop Strap 3.0 Review
Note: By pure coincidence, Whoop launched their next model - Whoop 4.0 yesterday. While there are some new features, (you can find a detailed breakdown here) everything within this blog post is still relevant to the new model.
By now most of you will have seen and read Jessie’s review of her Oura Ring, and if you haven’t but want to then just click [here]. Around the same time she got her Oura, I ordered a Whoop Strap to help track my recovery as I kept picking up small injuries and feeling run down despite a decreased training load. I’d seen tons of top crossfit and OCR athletes talk about how valuable the Whoop had been to them and decided to take the risk on one.
NB: I started writing this a long time ago and then decided I need to spend more time using the tech to give a fair review.
Shipping & Setup
First up, if you’re reading this outside of the US, Europe or Australia then getting the hardware is a bit of a pain. The company currently only ships these locations so you’d need to be able to have someone forward it on for you. All in all the process from ordering to delivery in the UK only took about 7-10 days. When it arrived the Whoop was packed in a tough box, this is one of the small touches I appreciate from tech companies to keep products safe during shipping. In the box was a Whoop standard knit band, Whoop strap 3.0, battery charger, USB charging cable, instruction manual, and a bag to store everything in. Setup and installation of the Whoop was quick and easy, only requiring you to download an app and connect via Bluetooth, I was then able to run a software update and begin getting data immediately. The whole process was simple and efficient and took very little brainpower to do.
Subscription
Spoiler alert; the one thing I don’t like about Whoop is the subscription service only model they use. In order to use Whoop, you don’t buy the 3.0 strap you actually sign up to a subscription service for the app and the basic band is then sent to you for free (you just pay p&p) which while initially seems great, means that if you intend to use the band long term as I do it becomes an expensive piece of kit. I used a decent 30% discount code (thanks Buttery Bros) and subscribed for a full year so the total cost was very reasonable but from my next renewal will start to become poor value for money. I’d much rather have paid more initially to have the ability to use the Whoop long term without recurring payments but as this is the model they’ve chosen to go with and the data given is incredible I’ll continue to pay each year.
Hardware
When you order your Whoop you are given a standard black band (as pictured) but they sell a ton of different options to allow you to customise your band. On a side note, if you plan to exercise regularly I’d add a second band to the order so you have options, I didn’t and regret it. The standard black band is adjustable and elasticated to allow for a comfortable fit. It's not a huge bulky piece of gear (especially on my massive arms) but could be a little big if you have a much smaller frame. It sits flush to the skin and is so light and comfortable that after a day or so I basically forgot I was wearing it. The battery life is a major plus point for me, the Whoop lasts 7+ days with constant use and even then - I’ve never actually run it lower than 20% before charging.
Data
The amount of feedback you get with a Whoop is, in my opinion, unrivalled. You get Daily, Weekly, Monthly performance reviews, live strain data, sleep analysis, recovery data, it tracks your resting heart rate, respiratory rate, heart rate variability, it can auto-track workouts or you can select to track activities yourself. In short, the amount of data you get is insane! I use it to plan my training and rest. I know when I’m peaking for a PB or when an easy run is going to feel harder. I would say if you’re easily obsessed with things then the whoop might just be too much for you, and you should consider whether you’ll be able to use it safely as a fitness tool and not as an addictive competition device (always hitting high strains etc).
You also fill out a custom diary each day so whoop can get to know you better and provide monthly feedback on how individual reported behaviours impacts on your recovery, it’s no surprise when I report drinking booze my recovery is worse and my RHR is up but it is fascinating to see just how bad it is! Equally I know I sleep better if I’m in my own bed and worse if I’ve had a stressful day. These things all seem fairly standard but then difference between just thinking it and having concrete data to show how it can affect you is really interesting and useful.
Customer Support
The whoop app has a built-in customer service chat feature that is quick, reliable and helpful. I’ve used it a few times and everyone I’ve spoken to has been really friendly and knowledgeable and able to help resolve issues quickly. Not much more to say about this, the customer service is top-notch!
Overall
I am 100% sold on the whoop, 10/10 for me. Like I said before, I would like to have the option to buy the band and not have to pay a subscription fee monthly/yearly but I actually think that the value for money is there now I’m into my second year and plan to re-up every year until I stop training. If you’re an athlete I don’t think there are many better, more affordable tools on the market right now and would 100% recommend buying one!
You can check out the Whoop at https://www.whoop.com/
Have you got a Whoop? Would you rate it? Drop a comment below!