I was first turned onto WHOOP years ago by Brad Feld, the renowned venture capitalist and wellness advocate whose opinions I deeply respect. Brad has long been a vocal supporter of technologies that enhance healthspan, and his consistent praise of WHOOP caught my attention. I recently wrote about Brad and his new book in this post: Book Review: Give First by Brad Feld.
His endorsement made me take a closer look and I was an early customer of WHOOP long before Workup or my Substack Longevity Today was in existence.
Admittedly, I took a break from fitness wearables, returning at first with the Apple Watch and from there, my Oura Ring. But with WHOOP’s continued innovation, I was inspired to experience its most recent product launch and I quickly saw why WHOOP stands apart.
WHOOP isn’t just another fitness tracker. It’s a data-first, screenless wearable designed for people who want deep, actionable insights into recovery, performance, and long-term wellness.
Whether you’re a competitive athlete, an executive optimizing daily energy or a wellness enthusiast focused on extending healthspan, WHOOP offers a unique and comprehensive view into your body’s readiness and resilience. After several months of daily use, I’m excited to share my firsthand experience.
Quick Summary
Product Name: WHOOP (I tested the new Whoop MG)
Category: Fitness + Longevity Wearable
Main Benefit: Real-time recovery and strain tracking with medical-grade insights
Price Range: $199 to $359/year (subscription model)
Availability: Whoop.com
Rating: 4.8/5
Company Overview:
Whoop, founded in 2012 by Will Ahmed and based in Boston, is a subscription-based wearable designed for continuous health, performance and longevity tracking. Unlike most smart devices, it has no display - everything routes through a robust mobile app.
In May 2025, Whoop launched two new devices launched:
Whoop 5.0: latest hardware iteration, 7% smaller than prior, 14‑day battery, interchangeable wear‑locations, advanced sensors for second‑by‑second data capture
Whoop MG: includes all 5.0 improvements plus ECG on demand, daily blood pressure insights, enhanced healthspan metrics (Whoop Age, Pace of Aging)
First Impressions
The WHOOP MG doesn’t look like much at first glance and that’s part of the appeal. Its low-profile design is screenless, feather-light and sleek - ideal for 24/7 wear. The packaging is elegant and modern and the setup process was refreshingly quick.
As someone using the MG version (WHOOP’s most advanced model), I immediately appreciated how refined the band felt. It comfortably disappears on the wrist, unlike bulkier fitness wearables.
Key Features and Benefits
Customizable Dashboard: I love how I can customize the dashboard in the WHOOP app to showcase the data most relevant to me. From HRV, steps, heart rate zones, a variety of sleep metrics, stress monitoring, VO2 max and more - there’s a remarkable amount of data and insights available to me.
Healthspan & WHOOP Age: One of my favorite app features is the Healthspan dashboard, where I can track my WHOOP Age and Pace of Aging. These scores are derived from sleep timing, activity patterns and recovery trends - offering a clear window into how my daily choices affect long-term health.
Strain Score: I’ve found the Strain Score incredibly helpful post-activity. It gives a concrete picture of how hard I pushed and helps me balance performance with proper recovery.
Recovery Metrics: WHOOP’s Recovery score integrates HRV, resting heart rate, respiratory rate and sleep quality. Each morning, I wake up to a clear view of how ready my body is, something I’ve come to rely on.
Heart Screener (ECG): The ECG capability adds a medical-grade angle, offering the ability to track rhythm and flag concerns early. As someone with a family history of cardiovascular disease, this data is especially top-of-mind to me.
Blood Pressure Insights: Still in beta, but an exciting leap - daily BP estimates based on cuff calibration. It’s potentially game-changing for cardiovascular monitoring.
Experience/Testing
I’ve worn WHOOP MG continuously for several months - through workouts, travel and sleep. The battery life (up to 14 days) has been a standout. Unlike the Oura Ring or Apple Watch, WHOOP rarely needs charging and the PowerPack makes it possible to charge on the go.
I start each day by reviewing my Recovery, Strain, and Sleep scores. The app is intuitive and visually stunning - a true strength of the platform.
One minor downside: the small light built into the WHOOP MG occasionally disturbed my sleep when I’d roll over and catch it in my line of sight. I’ve since adjusted my wrist position at night and I now use a sleep mask, rendering this a non-issue.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
Exceptional app design and UX
Remarkable breadth and depth of metrics available within the mobile app dashboard
WHOOP Age and Pace of Aging deliver actionable longevity feedback
Long battery life and seamless charging
ECG and blood pressure insights elevate it above typical wearables
Comfortable, screenless design ideal for sleep and daily wear
Cons:
Small built-in light can disturb sleep
Subscription model may deter casual users
Who It’s Best For
WHOOP MG shines for just about anyone: athletes, health optimization seekers, longevity enthusiasts and those committed to improving their health and wellness. It’s also valuable for anyone managing cardiovascular risk factors due to its ECG and BP features.
Comparisons to Similar Products/Services
Compared to my Oura Ring, WHOOP MG wins on battery life, recovery tracking and readiness scoring. Oura’s insights are strong, especially for sleep but WHOOP offers more detailed activity and cardiovascular data. The Apple Watch, while a tech powerhouse, can’t match WHOOP’s recovery modeling and longevity metrics - and it requires near-daily charging.
In terms of pricing, WHOOP’s subscription model ($199 to $359/year) is slightly higher than Oura’s annual membership fee but for users focused on long-term health and performance, I believe WHOOP delivers exceptional value.
Where to Buy or Access
To learn more about WHOOP, visit WHOOP on Workup. Membership tiers include:
WHOOP One: $199/year
WHOOP Peak: $239/year
WHOOP Life (ECG + BP): $359/year
Final Verdict
WHOOP MG has become an essential part of my wellness routine. From guiding daily effort to highlighting long-term health shifts, it provides an unmatched blend of performance tracking and aging insight. Despite minor drawbacks, I’d wholeheartedly recommend it to anyone serious about recovery, resilience and longevity.
Check out more wellness reviews and longevity tools at WorkupHQ.com.
