Why I Stopped Using WHOOP (After 5 Years)
Introduction
After nearly five years of using WHOOP, I’ve decided to stop wearing it. WHOOP has been my go-to fitness tracker for sleep and recovery, and in my opinion, it’s the best on the market—better than Apple Watch and Garmin. But despite its accuracy and insights, I no longer use it. In this post, I’ll explain why.
What is WHOOP?
WHOOP is a wearable fitness and recovery tracker designed primarily for athletes. Unlike other trackers, it has no screen, and all data is accessed through an app. It monitors heart rate variability (HRV), sleep, recovery, and activity levels to give you insights into how well your body is performing and recovering.
Key Features:
Automatic Activity Tracking – WHOOP detects activity without needing to start a workout manually.
Strain Score – Measures how much effort you exert daily.
Recovery Score – Based on HRV, resting heart rate, and sleep, showing how ready you are to train.
Sleep Tracking – Provides detailed sleep analysis, including time in REM and deep sleep.
Journal Entry Feature – Tracks habits like caffeine intake, morning sunlight, or alcohol consumption to see how they affect recovery.
Why I Loved WHOOP
I was a huge WHOOP fan for years and wore it 24/7. I invested in various accessories—wrist straps, sports bras with built-in sensors, and even WHOOP-compatible underwear so I could track my data without wearing it on my wrist. It provided valuable insights, and I learned a lot about what helped or hurt my recovery.
Key Benefits:
Most accurate recovery tracking – WHOOP's HRV-based recovery score was more reliable than other trackers I’ve used.
Detailed insights from the journal feature – Helped me pinpoint what improved my recovery, like stopping eating three hours before bed, taking magnesium, and avoiding alcohol.
Great for competitive athletes – The strain score was useful for managing training intensity.
No screen = fewer distractions – Unlike smartwatches, WHOOP doesn’t bombard you with notifications.
Strong community features – Allows you to create teams with friends and compare data for added motivation.
Why I Stopped Using WHOOP
Despite all its benefits, I eventually stopped using WHOOP for a few key reasons.
1. Data Fatigue
I found myself checking my stats constantly, even when I didn’t need to. I became hyper-aware of my movement, calories burned, and recovery score. While the data was valuable, I reached a point where I already knew what helped my recovery and didn’t need constant feedback.
2. Subscription Model
WHOOP operates on a subscription-based model (about $30 per month). While it provides a lot of data, it adds up over time. If you’re not using WHOOP’s features daily, other one-time purchase trackers might be a better option.
3. Impact on Mental State
Seeing a low recovery score could sometimes affect my mindset. There were days when I felt great but woke up to a red recovery score, making me second-guess my workout plans. While the recovery score is useful, it doesn’t always match how you feel.
4. Tracking Became a Habit, Not a Necessity
After five years, I already knew what helped or hurt my recovery:
Alcohol significantly lowers HRV – Even one drink reduces recovery.
Consistent sleep schedule improves HRV.
Morning sunlight and limiting blue light at night enhance sleep quality. Since I had built these habits, I no longer needed WHOOP to tell me what I already knew.
5. Enjoying a Tech-Free Approach
Since stopping WHOOP, I’ve enjoyed listening to my body rather than relying on data. I haven’t tracked workouts for months, which feels freeing after years of logging every detail. Instead of checking an app, I make training decisions based on how I feel.
Who Should Use WHOOP?
While I’ve stopped using it, WHOOP is still a great option for certain people.
WHOOP is great for:
Competitive athletes who want precise training insights.
People interested in optimizing HRV and recovery.
Data-driven individuals who enjoy tracking their progress.
WHOOP might not be for:
Casual users who just want basic sleep and activity tracking.
Those who need real-time data during workouts (it has no screen).
Anyone who prefers one-time purchase devices over subscriptions.
Final Thoughts
WHOOP is still one of the best fitness trackers available, but after five years, I felt like I was getting more value from living intuitively rather than relying on data. If you’re considering WHOOP, I recommend trying it for a month (you can get one month free through my referral link).
