Wearable Technology Enthusiast Expresses Disappointment in Whoop’s Features

Since beginning his journey with the fitness tracking device Whoop in 2021, a technology journalist shared his growing dissatisfaction with the wearable. Despite being a loyal user, recent developments in the device’s functionality have caused him to reconsider its usefulness in tracking fitness progress.

According to the journalist, Whoop has historically provided accurate tracking data which kept him engaged. However, two key issues have arisen: a lack of feedback on fitness goals and inadequate tracking features, especially when related to progression in training. “Despite wearing it for every workout, Whoop has no idea how my fitness is evolving,” he remarked.

While Whoop recently integrated weight tracking through the Withings scale, it has not extended this capability to include muscle mass monitoring. The user highlighted this as a major oversight, particularly for those interested in tracking muscle-building progress. “The Strength Trainer within Whoop is an excellent tool for planning gym workouts,” he said, “but if your goal is increasing muscle mass, you’re not able to track your gains.”

Another point of frustration for the journalist is Whoop’s sensitive recovery metrics, which impact the user’s perception of their own fitness and recovery. He noted that when engaging in late-night social activities or consuming alcohol, the wearable yields disheartening data. “On normal nights, I would make the effort to find my spare strap,” he mentioned, “but what’s the point, just to get a load of low scores?”

In contrast to Whoop, the journalist pointed to Oura, another fitness tracking device, which offers more encouraging feedback regardless of minor transgressions, such as a night out. “Oura’s recovery score rarely drops below 60,” he commented, suggesting a gentler approach to data presentation compared to Whoop’s sometimes harsh feedback mechanisms.

The journalist, an expert in wearable technology and co-founder of Wareable, emphasized that the device’s feedback could be more user-friendly. “Whoop is a tool that has a single message: go to bed on time, get enough sleep, and you’ll be recovered and rested enough to meet your goals,” he concluded, advocating for improvements in the device’s interface and feedback system to better reflect users’ positive health habits.