Questions About WHOOP You Wanted To Ask?

by Barbara Yakimchuk

Questions About WHOOP You Wanted To Ask?

25 Apr 2025

By the end of 2024, WHOOP seems to be on every other wrist, spotted on morning cyclists at Kite Beach or runners weaving through the streets of Dubai. It has even become a true conversation starter at events too — these days, it is easy to break the ice with a simple, “So, how do you like the WHOOP wristband?”

But despite the buzz, many people still have questions: Why wear it? How accurate is it? And is it really worth it? So here we are answering the most common (and often uncertain) questions about the trending wellness tool, right here.

WHOOP launched its first-generation strap back in 2015, initially focusing on professional athletes. But it wasn’t until 2024 — when the company expanded to 56 markets and reached an audience of 125 million — that it truly captured global attention.

That kind of unexpected growth raised a lot of questions — so we decided to go straight to the source. Meet Stephan Muller, Director of WHOOP in the GCC region. He is the perfect person to help us make sense of it all: not only does he represent the brand, but he has also been an athlete for most of his life, and runs a local running community in the UAE called Uncommon Club.

So let's dive into the what, when, and why behind this wellness product that is taking the world by storm.

Photos: @stephanrunsdxb

— What makes WHOOP so popular right now?

— First, WHOOP focuses on four core pillars: sleep, stress, recovery, and strain — strain being your physical output. Initially, it was mainly designed for athletes and high performers. But over time, it evolved. Now, even if you are just trying to improve your sleep or manage stress better, WHOOP still works for you. This evolution has helped it reach a much wider audience.

Second, it simply looks good. More and more people are stepping away from screen-heavy devices. WHOOP does not have a screen — and that is intentional. No notifications, no flashing lights. It is about helping you disconnect, not being more connected to distractions.

And finally, people today genuinely care more about their health. They are looking for better self-care, deeper connections, and more balance. WHOOP fits right into that shift.

— What was the initial target audience for WHOOP, and why did it shift?

— As mentioned, the brand was initially designed for high performers, particularly athletes. Signing Cristiano Ronaldo last year was a significant milestone, helping position the brand on a global scale. His profile, as one of the biggest names in sports, expanded the brand’s reach and had a direct impact on sales.

Simultaneously, WHOOP has shifted focus to a broader lifestyle audience — individuals interested in specific features like sleep, recovery, or stress management. There has also been a rise in the "entry-level" athlete segment, with more people just beginning their fitness journey, whether by joining a gym or trying padel for the first time. This shift reflects a growing trend towards a more recreational approach to fitness.

An interesting observation has been how many different types of people are seeking to better understand their health. This desire extends beyond fitness enthusiasts, and WHOOP is increasingly helping a diverse range of individuals improve their lifestyle.

Photos: WHOOP

— WHOOP tracks stress, unlike other wellness devices. How does it measure it?

— The stress analysis is heart-rate-based. Stress shows up in your body in different ways — whether you are pushing yourself at the gym or feeling nervous before a big presentation, your heart rate increases. WHOOP picks that up and tracks it as stress.

I remember about a month after joining WHOOP, I had to present to 800 people. I was not entirely comfortable with the topic, and WHOOP caught it immediately. My heart rate spiked for around 45 minutes straight. In fact, I burned about 900 calories just by being on stage.

— How to cope with anxiety that arises from constantly tracking your metrics?

— That is true — starting the day with a bad recovery score can easily affect your mindset.

I have a lifehack for dealing with this: try not to check your score right after waking up. Instead, wait until after your training, as it will likely feel much better by then. This approach helps me avoid letting a low score affect my day. Unless you have a big training session planned and need to check your recovery score to prevent injury, I recommend not checking it too often.

Another lifehack: check your stats no more than two or three times a day — once in the morning, before bed, and after your workouts. This helps avoid becoming overly obsessed with the data.

— Some users mention that the wristband is not always directly connected to the body and can move around, possibly affecting the data. How is this addressed?

— A third-party study compared WHOOP to other wearables like the Oura Ring, Apple Watch, and Garmin, with WHOOP coming out on top in terms of heart rate accuracy. While a heart rate monitor worn directly on the body may be slightly more accurate, WHOOP is very close, and the slight movement of the band does not significantly impact the data.

— WHOOP has a line of underwear — what is it?

— This is the WHOOP Body line, which includes shirts and underwear with small pockets designed to securely hold the device. It keeps the tracker protected while delivering the same accurate results. Both the wristband and the Body line perform equally well, so it really comes down to what feels best for you.

There is a growing interest in these alternatives, which is why WHOOP is expanding the collection. Ultimately, the choice is about personal preference — whether you are seeking more comfort or a different look. The WHOOP Body line is also a great option for those who feel the wristband doesn’t quite suit their outfit.

Photos: WHOOP

— How does the gamification aspect of WHOOP keep users more engaged?

— WHOOP incorporates gamification, allowing anyone with Bluetooth to create a community and invite others to join. Within these communities, members can track metrics like strain, sleep, and recovery, all displayed in a leaderboard format. For example, users can compare their sleep percentage and strain with others. There is also a chat feature for discussing results.

The competitive element adds fun and helps users stay motivated. WHOOP collaborates with gyms and studios in Dubai, enabling them to create their own communities and reward top performers. For instance, someone with the highest strain or best sleep could win a free class or a special prize, encouraging people to stay active.

I am currently part of around 9 or 10 communities. While I do not interact as much as I could, I definitely participate in the ones connected to the gyms I attend.

— WHOOP collects data on many different factors. How can you make health tracking more effective?

— What you are referring to is the WHOOP Journal entry, which can be filled out every morning. You can choose to answer as few as three or as many as 20 questions, depending on what is most important to you.

Larger factors like stress, hydration, and working late nights offer more valuable insights into how your metrics will change. However, the key is consistency — whether you answer five or ten questions each day. Consistently helps tailor insights, such as how late nights might impact deep sleep or how stress and hydration influence recovery.

Other factors also matter, though in smaller ways. For instance, while an ice bath might not affect sleep duration, it could improve deep sleep. Everyone’s data reacts differently, so what works for one person might not have the same effect on another.

— Which WHOOP feature is great but often goes unnoticed by users?

— One standout feature is WHOOP Coach, powered by OpenAI. It generates personalized replies and insights to your health and fitness questions in seconds — and super insightful. Another feature worth mentioning is that WHOOP actually counts steps, despite many people asking why it does not. Well, it does!

— According to WHOOP data, how does the GCC region differ from Europe or the United States in terms of performance?

— First, it is important to note that when we refer to the GCC, we are mainly talking about the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. The Middle East ranks the lowest globally in terms of sleep patterns. This presents a huge opportunity for us to educate people on improving sleep consistency, duration, and quality.

On the flip side, when it comes to activity levels — particularly in sports like padel — the GCC countries are among the top globally in terms of participation. This is especially interesting for us as a brand, as it highlights the growing interest in sports like padel in the region. Given how rapidly the sport has grown in the Middle East, particularly in cities like Dubai, it is no surprise that we are seeing this surge.

— Is there a unique sport becoming popular in the GCC that we might not be thinking about?

— In the GCC, the focus is primarily on hybrid training, running, and padel, which are the top three sports rapidly growing in popularity. This is why we collaborate with local padel clubs.

As for hybrid training, particularly formats like Hyrox, it is gaining significant traction. While WHOOP is not directly affiliated with Hyrox, the hybrid training model has exploded here. CrossFit also has a strong presence.

Photo: Andy Quezada

by Barbara Yakimchuk