Whoop: Doctor Uses It for a Month
Hi! I'm Dr. Luca Leoni and today I'm going to share with you my month-long experience with the Whoop, the most advanced vital signs monitoring device currently available on the market. If you're interested in monitoring your health in a precise and detailed way , this article is for you.
If you've read my previous article on using the Whoop after a week , you'll know that I was intrigued by this device from the start. Today, after a month of extensive testing, I'm ready to share more detailed, long-term insights.
What is Whoop and How Does It Work?
The Whoop is a revolutionary wearable device that continuously monitors your vital signs . Unlike a common smartwatch, the Whoop does not show the time and does not have a display. Its entire operation is based on a dedicated app that processes the collected data 24/7.
The device is designed to be worn constantly, day and night, for weeks, months or even years. Thanks to this continuous collection of data, the Whoop is able to create a personalized profile of your performance in terms of :
- Sleep
- Recovery
- Physical effort
- Stress
But that’s not all. The Whoop goes beyond simple tracking: it gives you personalized advice on when to step up your workouts and when to take a break.
How to Wear the Whoop?
The Whoop offers several options for wearing:
- On the wrist , like a normal watch
- On the biceps , with a special band
- On your bra , in your underwear , using Anywhere devices
- In an unusual position that I have personally experienced: on the ankle
Why did I choose the ankle? Simple : I already had a watch on my wrist, so I found it inconvenient to add another device. Also, since I am a boxer, I couldn't keep it on my wrist during training.
The choice of ankle has proven to be surprisingly comfortable: I practically never feel it , neither day nor night, not even during training or at the beach.
Key Parameters Monitored by Whoop
The Whoop focuses on three key parameters:
- Effort
- Recovery
- Sleep
Let's see them in detail.
1. Effort
Effort isn’t just limited to physical activity. The Whoop tracks both your workout and your daily activities . Incredibly, it can also assess your mental effort through sophisticated algorithms.
The daily effort level is expressed as a number from 0 to 21, where 21 represents maximum effort.
2. Recovery
The day after your effort, Whoop gives you a percentage that indicates how much you have recovered. Recovery is divided into three bands:
- Red : insufficient recovery
- Yellow : moderate recovery
- Green : optimal recovery
It is completely normal to often find yourself in the yellow band if you exercise regularly.
3. Sleep
Sleep is the single biggest factor influencing recovery. The Whoop takes a detailed look at the quality and quantity of your night’s sleep.
My One Month Experience with Whoop
After a month of use, I can say that the experience has been overall positive. Wearing the Whoop on the ankle has proven to be a winning choice : I never feel it and it doesn't bother me at all.
The detection of cardiac parameters, effort and recovery was very accurate. However, I found two limitations:
- REM sleep tracking is virtually non-existent (only one day out of 30)
- Does not detect naps
These problems could be due to the position on the ankle.
Another parameter that has shown some inaccuracy is hemoglobin saturation . On the ankle, the Whoop detects an average of 93%, while with a normal pulse oximeter they are at 98%. This discrepancy is probably due to the lower capillarization of the skin in the ankle area compared to the wrist.
Advanced Features of Whoop
One of the coolest features of Whoop is its built-in artificial intelligence . You can ask it pretty much anything about your data and get detailed, personalized answers.
For example, I asked for a breakdown of my stress levels over the past 30 days. The AI gave me a deep dive, revealing that I spent an average of 8 hours and 27 minutes a day in a state of high stress.
Not only that, but he also suggested relaxation techniques like deep breathing and meditation to better manage stress.
Whoop and Real-Time Monitoring
One particularly useful feature is real-time monitoring . While recording the video for this article, I asked Whoop to rate my current stress level. The response was surprising: " You are currently in a state of high stress. Your body is showing signs of high arousal. Try a breathing exercise to calm your heart rate."
Indeed, at that moment I felt particularly tired and stressed, confirming the accuracy of the Whoop's readings.
Health Overview with Whoop
In the " Health Monitoring " section of the app, Whoop provides a comprehensive overview of your vital signs:
- Respiratory rate
- Real-time heart rate
- Blood oxygenation
- Resting heart rate
- Body temperature
An interesting aspect is the ability of the Whoop to detect potential infectious processes through the increase in body temperature. A few weeks ago, the device warned me of a possible ongoing infectious process, although fortunately nothing concrete happened.
Detailed Stress Analysis
The Whoop offers an in-depth analysis of your stress levels, showing:
- Hours spent in a state of high stress
- Comparison with previous periods
- Stress Management Tips
In my case, the Whoop detected a 25% increase in stress over the previous month , coinciding with a particularly challenging period in my life.
Sleep Monitoring
Despite its limitations in tracking REM sleep, the Whoop still provides useful sleep information:
- Amount of sleep needed to get through the day
- Sleep regularity
- Sleep deprived
- Recovery quality
In my case, the Whoop detected 1 hour and 13 minutes of sleep deprivation , a 29% increase from the previous month.
Additionally, recovery was 14% lower than last month, accurately reflecting my subjective perception of fatigue and decreased performance.
Advantages and Disadvantages of the Whoop
Advantages:
- Continuous and accurate monitoring of vital parameters
- Detailed analysis of stress and recovery
- Personalized advice to optimize training and rest
- Integrated AI for in-depth analysis
- Multiple wearability options
Disadvantages:
- Limitations in REM sleep tracking (potentially fixable with Anywhere; alternatively wearing Whoop on wrist, which I'm not willing to do. It annoys me.)
- Does not detect naps
Conclusions: Is Whoop Worth the Investment?
After a month of use, I can say that the Whoop is an extremely interesting and potentially revolutionary device in the field of health monitoring. It offers detailed and personalized information that can help you:
- Optimize your workouts
- Improve sleep quality
- Manage stress better
- Prevent potential health problems
If you are someone who cares about your health and performance, both physical and mental, the Whoop could be a valuable investment .
However, it is important to note that this is a subscription service, with a cost of around €297 per month. You can start with a 1-month trial period, as I am doing, to evaluate whether the benefits justify the long-term investment.
If you decide to try the Whoop, you can use my link to get a free month trial. This way, you will have the device delivered to your home paying only €12 shipping.
Remember that Whoop is not just for athletes: it intersects physical and mental data to give you a complete picture of your performance, both in training and in your daily and work life.
Subscription Plans
In addition to the basic plan, Whoop also offers a premium service called Whoop Pro, which includes:
- Periodic free straps
- Anywhere Clothing Discounts
Next Steps
In the next few months, I plan to purchase the Whoop Anywhere boxer four-pack. This will allow me to test the device in a different position and see how the readings change, especially for REM sleep and hemoglobin saturation.
I will do an update in about 6 months to share the results of this new setup and give a more complete picture of the Whoop’s long-term potential.
Have you tried a health tracking device like the Whoop? What are your experiences? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Is Whoop only for athletes? No, Whoop is useful for anyone who wants to monitor their health and performance, both physical and mental.
- Can I wear Whoop while showering? Yes, Whoop is water resistant and can be worn while showering or swimming.
- How long does Whoop's battery last? Whoop's battery lasts about 5 days on a single charge.
- Does Whoop replace a doctor visit? No, Whoop is a monitoring tool, not a diagnostic tool. Always consult a doctor for any health concerns.
- Can I connect Whoop to other fitness apps? Yes, Whoop can be integrated with various popular fitness apps for even more comprehensive tracking.
