WHOOP

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WHOOP
Company typePrivate
IndustryWearable technology
Founded2012
FounderWill Ahmed
HeadquartersBoston, Massachusetts
Key people
Websitewhoop.com

WHOOP, Inc. (stylized as WHOOP) is an American wearable technology company headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts.[1] Its principal product is a health tracker that measures strain, recovery, and sleep.[2][3][4][5] The device is best known for its use by athletes and is often used to track overall health and detect illness.[6]

The Whoop band is popular among consumers and professional athletes such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Virat Kohli,[7] Rory McIlroy, Aryna Sabalenka, LeBron James and Michael Phelps.[4]

Product

[edit]

WHOOP 1.0 was released in 2015,[8] followed by versions in 2016 and 2019.[9][10] WHOOP 4.0 debuted in 2021 with improved battery technology that increased capacity.[11][12][13]

Cristiano Ronaldo, investor and global ambassador for Whoop

The device collects data on sleep, heart rate variability, resting heart rate, and respiratory rate to create a daily recovery score ranging from 0% to 100%,[14] helping users determine if their body is ready for exertion or needs rest.[15] It also provides suggested exertion goals based on recovery and sleep data.[16]

On March 29, 2023, WHOOP announced its Stress Monitor feature, tracking daily stress levels via HRV and resting heart rate, with breathwork interventions developed with Dr. Andrew Huberman.[17] In September 2023, WHOOP released “WHOOP Coach,” powered by OpenAI, offering conversational health and fitness coaching.[18]

In 2025, WHOOP shared that the FDA comments on its blood pressure feature, arguing the agency was “overstepping its authority.”[19][20][21][22][23] In May 2025, WHOOP adjusted its upgrade terms for the 5.0 and MG,[24] eventually providing complimentary upgrades[25][26] for members with 12+ months remaining[27][28] and refunds for those charged in error.[29][30][31][32]

In September 2025, WHOOP launched “Advanced Labs,” integrating clinical blood test data with wearable health metrics and expanding availability internationally.[33]

WHOOP differs from other wearables by having no screen or buttons;[34] all data is accessed through the WHOOP app on Android and iOS. It requires a monthly subscription, and without one, the device stops tracking.[35] According to Time, WHOOP collects significantly more data than competitors, with five sensors gathering 100 MB of data per user per day.[36]

History

[edit]

WHOOP was founded in 2012 by Harvard student-athlete Will Ahmed, together with John Capodilupo and Aurelian Nicolae.[37][38][39] The company was incubated at the Harvard Innovation Labs.[40][41][42] The name “Whoop” originated as a motivational phrase Ahmed used before games.[37]

In August 2021, WHOOP raised $200 million from SoftBank at a valuation of $3.6 billion.[39][43] Additional investors include IVP, the NFL Players Association,[44] and athletes such as Kevin Durant,[45] Patrick Mahomes, Rory McIlroy, Eli Manning,[46] and Larry Fitzgerald.[47]

As of 2022, Ahmed serves as CEO, Nicolae is Director of Mechanical Engineering,[48] and Capodilupo served as CTO until April 2022.[49]

Sports

[edit]

WHOOP is approved by multiple professional sports organizations including CrossFit,[50] the Ladies Professional Golf Association,[51] Major League Baseball,[52] the National Football League Players Association,[53] the Women's Tennis Association[54] and the PGA Tour.[55]

The device is widely used by elite athletes[56] such as Virat Kohli, Michael Phelps,[57] LeBron James,[58] and Rory McIlroy,[59] Nelly Korda,[60] Tiger Woods,[61] Justin Thomas,[59][62]

Tennis player Maria Sakkari wearing the Whoop band in 2022

In 2017, several NBA players were reported to have worn WHOOP devices during games despite league restrictions.[63][64]

In 2023, cricketer Virat Kohli prominently wore WHOOP during the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, influencing widespread adoption across cricket.[65] In May 2024, Cristiano Ronaldo became both an investor and ambassador for WHOOP.[66][67]

Tennis player Aryna Sabalenka wearing the Whoop band at the 2023 Us Open

COVID-19

[edit]

In 2020, WHOOP played a key role in early COVID-19 detection. PGA Tour golfer Nick Watney noticed a respiratory rate spike on his WHOOP and tested positive for the virus despite no symptoms, prompting a PGA Tour partnership to supply WHOOP devices to players and caddies.[68][69] Another golfer, Scott Stallings, also identified early signs of infection using WHOOP.[69]

WHOOP later partnered with Central Queensland University researchers to validate its virus detection algorithm, which identified 80% of positive COVID-19 cases by day three of symptoms and 20% two days before onset.[70]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Heater, Brian (August 31, 2021). "Whoop raises another $200M for its athlete-focused fitness wearable". TechCrunch. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  2. ^ Rovell, Darren (March 6, 2017). "MLB approves device to measure biometrics of players". ESPN. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  3. ^ Willgress, Lydia (April 14, 2021). "We put Whoop's fitness tracker strap and membership experience to the test". The Independent. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  4. ^ a b Newcomb, Tim (October 2, 2015). "Tech Talk: A wearable for elite athletes like Cristiano Ronaldo, Virat Kohli, LeBron James and Michael Phelps". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  5. ^ Martinelli, Michelle (July 29, 2016). "Wearable apps help Olympic athletes train at their best". USA Today. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  6. ^ Dojc, Mike. "Golfer Scott Stallings Used Whoop Data To Help Detect His Covid-19 Symptoms". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
  7. ^ Brownlee, John (April 26, 2016). "How To Design A Wearable For LeBron James". Fast Company. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  8. ^ Comstock, Jonah (August 31, 2021). "Whoop, a wearable for athletes, raises $12 million". MobiHealthNews. Retrieved September 22, 2015.
  9. ^ Gintzler, Ariella (May 16, 2018). "Whoop Offers Subscription to Its Fitness Watch". Outside. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  10. ^ So, Adrienne (May 16, 2021). "Review: Whoop Strap 3.0". Wired. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  11. ^ O'Kane, Sean (September 8, 2021). "Whoop's new fitness tracker is better thanks to a battery breakthrough". The Verge. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  12. ^ Metz, Cade (2021-09-08). "Your Batteries Are Due for Disruption". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2021-10-18.
  13. ^ Moreno, Johan. "WHOOP CEO On Digital Fitness Competition: 'Just Because A Big Company Enters The Space Doesn't Mean They'll Be Successful'". Forbes. Retrieved 2021-10-18.
  14. ^ Goode, Lauren (September 8, 2021). "Whoop's New Wearable Can Go on Your Wrist—or in Your Clothes". Wired.
  15. ^ Gaskin, Corey (September 8, 2021). "The Whoop Strap 4.0 launches today, 2 years after its predecessor". Ars Technica. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  16. ^ "Whoop is on sale at Amazon: What you need to know about this popular fitness tracker". CBSSports.com. 2023-06-05. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
  17. ^ "WHOOP Launches New Stress Monitor Feature: First Wearable to Measure Daily Stress Levels and Implement Stress Reduction Interventions in Real-Time". www.businesswire.com. 2023-03-29. Retrieved 2023-10-01.
  18. ^ "WHOOP Unveils the New WHOOP Coach Powered by OpenAI: the First Wearable to Deliver Highly Individualized Performance Coaching on Demand". www.businesswire.com. 2023-09-26. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
  19. ^ Gomez, Ashley Capoot,Brandon (2025-07-15). "Whoop says FDA is 'overstepping its authority' with warning about blood pressure feature". CNBC. Retrieved 2025-07-17.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  20. ^ Capoot, Ashley (2025-05-08). "Whoop launches two new wearables with 14-day battery life". CNBC. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
  21. ^ Mangino, Samantha (2025-05-08). "A new Whoop is here: Everything to know about the revamped fitness tracker". Mashable. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
  22. ^ "WHOOP 5.0 and MG: Features, Backlash, and Response". Plunge. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  23. ^ "Whoop Did It Again (The Whoop 5.0 Backlash)". DCRainmaker. May 2025. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  24. ^ "Whoop angers users over reneged free upgrade promises". The Verge. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  25. ^ "Whoop Clarifies & Updates Policy After Member Pushback". Athletech News. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  26. ^ "Whoop has broken a promise on free hardware upgrades – and users aren't pleased". TechRadar. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  27. ^ "Whoop Reverses Course After Customer Backlash on Upgrade Fees". Bloomberg. 9 May 2025. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  28. ^ "Clarifying and Updating Our Upgrade Policy". WHOOP. 10 May 2025. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  29. ^ "Whoop Reverses Course After Customer Backlash on Upgrade Fees". Bloomberg. 9 May 2025. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  30. ^ "Clarifying and Updating Our Upgrade Policy". WHOOP. 10 May 2025. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  31. ^ "WHOOP Backlash Explained". Customer Contact Week Digital. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  32. ^ "Whoop Users Say Their New 'Medical Grade' Fitness Trackers Are Defective". PCMag. Retrieved 13 August 2025.
  33. ^ "WHOOP Launches Clinician-Reviewed Advanced Labs, Unlocking a Comprehensive View of Human Health". WHOOP. 2025-09-30. Retrieved 2025-10-29. WHOOP Advanced Labs is a groundbreaking new feature that combines blood testing with continuous wearable data. Members can upload past bloodwork results or schedule the company's curated Advanced Labs panel, which tests an extensive set of biomarkers.
  34. ^ Gaskin, Corey (September 8, 2021). "The Whoop Strap 4.0 launches today, 2 years after its predecessor". Ars Technica. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  35. ^ Livingston, Mercey. "Whoop 3.0 review: The fitness tracker that requires a $30 monthly subscription". CNET. Retrieved 2021-10-18.
  36. ^ Pullen, John (April 18, 2017). "Why Professional Athletes Love This Fitness Band". Time. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  37. ^ a b Krueger, Alyson (July 9, 2021). "A Fitness App Moonlights as a Men's Support Group". The New York Times. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  38. ^ Verma, Pranshu (September 8, 2021). "Inside the rise of Whoop, Boston's fitness-wearable tech giant". The Boston Globe. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  39. ^ a b Kruppa, Miles (August 30, 2021). "Wearables company Whoop valued at $3.6bn after SoftBank investment". Financial Times. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
  40. ^ "WHOOP – Harvard Innovation Labs". Harvard Innovation Labs. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  41. ^ Shultz, Alex (April 12, 2017). "Why Is This Wearable-Tech Company Helping College Teams Track How Often Athletes Sleep, Drink, And Have Sex?". Deadspin. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  42. ^ Lunden, Ingrid (November 12, 2019). "Whoop, the sports tech and analytics company that makes discreet wearables, raises $55M". TechCrunch. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  43. ^ Sozzi, Brian (August 30, 2021). "SoftBank Investment Lifts Whoop Valuation to over $3.6B". Yahoo! Finance. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  44. ^ Shieber, Jonathan (March 6, 2018). "WHOOP raises $25 million to tell everyone from athletes to execs about their health". TechCrunch. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  45. ^ Badenhausen, Kurt (August 30, 2021). "Kevin Durant Scores Again on $3.6 Billion WHOOP Valuation in Series F". Yahoo!. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  46. ^ Tan, Gillian (October 28, 2020). "Whoop Valued at $1.2 Billion With IVP, SoftBank, Manning Backing". Bloomberg News. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  47. ^ "Report: WHOOP Business Breakdown & Founding Story". Contrary Research. Retrieved 2025-08-20.
  48. ^ Verma, Pranshu (September 8, 2021). "Inside the rise of Whoop, Boston's fitness-wearable tech giant". The Boston Globe. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  49. ^ "Whoop Names Jaime Waydo New Chief Technology Officer, Dr. Patrick Carroll Becomes Company's First Chief Medical Officer". SportTechie. Retrieved 2022-11-05.
  50. ^ Marquez, Tommy (March 4, 2021). "Breaking: WHOOP, CrossFit Strike Multi-Year Partnership Deal". Morning Chalk Up.
  51. ^ Bleier, Rachel (July 16, 2020). "LPGA to partner with WHOOP, supply players, caddies and staff with straps". Golf Magazine. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  52. ^ Collins, Terry (March 6, 2017). "MLB adds wrist trackers to its starting lineup". CNET. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  53. ^ Taylor, Tom (June 27, 2017). "Football's Next Frontier: The Battle Over Big Data". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  54. ^ "WHOOP named official fitness wearable of the WTA". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved 2024-12-28.
  55. ^ Dent, S. (January 7, 2021). "Golf fans can see PGA Tour players' heart rates thanks to new wearable partnership". Engadget. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  56. ^ Walker, Grant (September 1, 2022). "Whoop grows with celebrity endorsements — and a new landmark sign". The Boston Business Journal. p. 1. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
  57. ^ Newcomb, Tim (October 2, 2015). "Tech Talk: A wearable for elite athletes like LeBron James and Michael Phelps". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  58. ^ Brownlee, John (April 26, 2016). "How To Design A Wearable For LeBron James". Fast Company. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  59. ^ a b Golden, Jessica (June 24, 2020). "PGA Tour procures 1,000 smart bands to help detect coronavirus symptoms in golfers". CNBC. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  60. ^ Levins, Keely (August 10, 2021). "The moment Nelly Korda's heart rate was highest en route to her Olympic gold medal wasn't the moment you'd expect". Golf Digest. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  61. ^ Sens, Josh (September 20, 2019). "That strap on Tiger Woods' wrist? It tracks his every move". Golf Magazine. Retrieved October 25, 2021.
  62. ^ "How much sleep does an MLB team get? The Brewers answer". MLB.com. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
  63. ^ "DeAndre Jordan hides a device under his wristband". ESPN.com. 2017-03-02. Retrieved 2021-10-18.
  64. ^ "Should players be allowed to use wearable health-monitoring devices in NBA games?". FOX Sports. Retrieved 2021-10-18.
  65. ^ "From Virat Kohli to LeBron James, here's why elite athletes prefer WHOOP bands". Hindustan Times. 2023-11-17. Retrieved 2024-04-28.
  66. ^ "Cristiano Ronaldo becomes investor and global ambassador for Whoop". Sports Mint. 15 May 2024. Retrieved 15 May 2024.
  67. ^ "Whoop Signs Cristiano Ronaldo as Investor, Ambassador in Global Play". Athletech News. 13 May 2024.
  68. ^ Golden, Jessica (2020-10-28). "Whoop, maker of the fitness tracker that pro athletes love, is now valued at $1.2 billion". CNBC. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
  69. ^ a b Dojc, Mike. "Golfer Scott Stallings Used Whoop Data To Help Detect His Covid-19 Symptoms". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-10-02.
  70. ^ Miller, Dean J.; Capodilupo, John V.; Lastella, Michele; Sargent, Charli; Roach, Gregory D.; Lee, Victoria H.; Capodilupo, Emily R. (2020-12-10). "Analyzing changes in respiratory rate to predict the risk of COVID-19 infection". PLOS ONE. 15 (12) e0243693. Bibcode:2020PLoSO..1543693M. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0243693. ISSN 1932-6203. PMC 7728254. PMID 33301493.