Hi! I'm Dr. Luca Leoni and today I want to tell you about my experience with one of the most cutting-edge devices for monitoring vital signs: the Whoop .

I decided to test it personally for a whole week, 24 hours a day , to really understand what this technological gem can offer.

Get ready, because I'm about to take you on a journey through the world of advanced biometric monitoring !

The Whoop: What It Is and How It Works

First, let's talk about the name. Yes, I know, "Whoop" sounds a little weird.

The manufacturing company chose this name to evoke the idea of ​​energy and physical strength.

Personally, it reminds me of the warrior's cry, but hey, we're not here to judge marketing, right?

Now, let’s get down to business. The Whoop is not your average smartwatch that you’d expect to see on the wrist of every Sunday runner.

No, this device is designed with one purpose in mind: to monitor your vitals with accuracy that puts the competition to shame .

Design and Wearability

The design of the Whoop is minimal , almost spartan.

Don't expect a bright display to tell you the time or bombard you with notifications.

This gadget is all business: a thin, lightweight band dedicated exclusively to data collection.

And you know what's the coolest thing? You don't have to wear it on your wrist .

Yes, you read that right. The company offers a range of accessories—boxers, T-shirts, bras—designed specifically to accommodate the Whoop.

But I want to share a little secret with you: after several experiments, I discovered that the ankle is the perfect place to wear it .

It's comfortable, doesn't get in the way during daily activities or workouts, and - surprise! - the measurements are just as accurate.

The Four Pillars of Whoop Monitoring

Now, let's get to the heart of the matter. The Whoop focuses on four fundamental parameters:

1. Sleep
2. Recovery
3. Effort
4. Stress

Let's analyze them one by one, because believe me, there is a lot to say.

Sleep: The Foundation of Well-Being

Sleep is the cornerstone of our well-being, and Whoop knows it well.

The device monitors not only the duration of your sleep, but also your sleep stages, including that much-needed REM sleep .

I have to admit that in the first few days I noticed some discrepancies in my REM sleep measurements.

The Whoop was reporting that I had virtually no REM sleep, which, if true, would have made me a walking zombie.

Fortunately, as the days went by, the measurements became more accurate.

This brings me to an important point: the Whoop needs time to "get to know" you .

The company recommends at least 30 days of continuous use to get truly personalized and reliable data.

One small flaw: the device doesn’t seem to detect afternoon naps.

So, if you're a fan of siestas, be aware that these moments of rest might go unnoticed by the eyes (or rather, sensors) of the Whoop.

Recovery: Your Body Knows When It's Ready

Recovery is where the Whoop really shines.

Using a combination of parameters - heart rate, respiratory rate, body temperature, blood oxygen saturation, sleep quality and resting heart rate - the device calculates how well your body has recovered from the stress and strain of the previous day.

The recovery rating system is brilliant in its simplicity:

• Red (0-33%): Your body needs rest. No marathons today, please!
• Yellow (34-66%): You are maintaining your health. You can face a moderately busy day.
• Green (67-100%): You are in top form. Today you could conquer the world!

This system has helped me tremendously in understanding when to push the throttle in my workouts and when to ease off a bit.

It's like having a personal coach whispering in your ear (or ankle, in my case) tips on how to optimize your performance.

Effort: Measuring Your Daily Effort

Effort is measured by the Whoop on a scale of 0 to 21.

But be careful, we are not just talking about physical effort.

The device also takes mental stress into account, combining various metrics to give you a complete picture of how hard you’re working each day.

What's really impressive is how the Whoop adapts over time.

If you start running 10 km a day, the device will initially register a high effort.

But as your body gets used to it, you will see the effort decrease for the same activity.

It's like the Whoop gets to know your body as much as you do yourself .

Stress: The Invisible Enemy

Stress is perhaps the most subtle parameter, but the Whoop does an excellent job of detecting it.

By combining effort and recovery data, the device gives you an overview of how your body is handling daily stress.

This feature is especially useful for those like me who have a hectic life between work and intense workouts.

The Whoop App: An Ocean of Data

All this monitoring would be useless without an effective way to visualize and interpret the data.

And that's where the Whoop app comes in. Trust me, it's a treasure trove of information .

The app allows you to see all your data in real time, but also to analyze long-term trends.

You can keep a journal of your habits—how much coffee you drink, whether you drink alcohol, what you eat before bed—and see how they affect your recovery and performance.

One of the features I've found most useful is the app's ability to automatically detect when physical activities start and end.

No need to press any buttons: Whoop knows when you start training and when you finish .

It's almost disturbing how accurate it is!

Accuracy and Reliability: My Ratings

As a doctor, I am naturally skeptical when it comes to devices that promise to monitor vital signs.

So, I compared the Whoop's measurements to those of other, more specific devices that I use regularly.

Heart rate, for example, was extremely accurate , with minimal variance from my Apple Watch and other professional heart rate monitors.

The measurement of effort and recovery also seemed very reliable to me, especially after the first week of "learning" the device.

There were a few points where I noticed some discrepancies.

As mentioned before, REM sleep measurement in the early days was not accurate.

Additionally, oxygen saturation measured at the ankle tended to be slightly lower than that measured with a standard pulse oximeter (93% versus 98%).

However, considering that the skin on the ankle is less capillarized than on the toe, this difference did not surprise me that much.

Battery and Charging: An Ingenious System

One of my initial concerns was: How do you charge a device that you have to wear 24/7?

Whoop's solution is brilliant in its simplicity .

The device comes with an external battery that attaches magnetically to the Whoop itself.

You can charge this battery separately and then slide it into your device when needed, without ever having to remove it.

This system allowed me to keep the Whoop always active, without interruptions in monitoring.

A plus for those like me who want continuous and reliable data.

Why Did I Choose Whoop?

You may be wondering, “Doctor, why did you decide to try this device?”

Well, the answer is simple. Despite a balanced diet and regular exercise regime, I have been feeling more tired than usual over the past few months, both physically and mentally.

The blood tests showed nothing abnormal, so I thought maybe the problem could be related to sleep or overtraining.

The Whoop gave me the opportunity to have a complete and detailed view of my health and performance.

And I have to say, the results were enlightening .

The Pros and Cons of Whoop

After a week of intensive use, here is my professional verdict:

Pros:

• Continuous and non-invasive monitoring
• Extremely detailed and useful data
• Intuitive and effective recovery system
• Possibility to wear it in different ways (the ankle is a revelation!)
• Feature-rich and easy to use app
• Intelligent charging system

Against:

• Need a "learning" period for accurate data
• Some initial measurements not very precise (REM sleep, oxygen saturation)
• Does not detect afternoon naps
• The price is not exactly cheap (about €260 per year but I'll give you a free month here if you want to try it too)

Conclusions: Is Whoop Worth Investing In?

After this week of intensive testing, I can say with certainty that the Whoop is much more than just a fitness tracker.

It is a powerful tool for anyone who wants to optimize their performance, both in sports and in everyday life.

As a physician, I particularly appreciate the depth and accuracy of the data provided.

The Whoop does more than just count your steps or measure calories burned: it gives you a real overview of your health and well-being .

Of course, there is a learning curve, both for the device and the user.

You may find some measurements inaccurate the first few days, but over time, the Whoop will become more and more “tuned” to your body.

The price may seem high, but considering the quality of the information provided, I consider it an investment in one's health.

Additionally, the company offers a free trial month (paying only for shipping), which allows you to test the device without obligation.

Ultimately, if you’re a serious athlete, a stressed professional, or simply a health-conscious individual, the Whoop may be the tool you’re looking for to take your wellness to the next level.

A Last Thought

Remember, technology is a powerful tool, but it is no substitute for common sense or professional advice.

Use the Whoop as an ally on your journey to a healthier, more performing life, but don't hesitate to consult your doctor if you notice any abnormalities or have any concerns.

What about you? Have you ever tried the Whoop or similar devices? What were your experiences?

Let me know in the comments!

Oh, and don’t forget to stay tuned: I’ll be doing a follow-up video in about a month to share with you how the data has evolved and whether the Whoop has delivered on its promises over the long haul .

Stay tuned!