WHOOP, Inc. (stylized as WHOOP) is an American wearable technology company headquartered in Boston, Massachusetts.[1] Its principal product is a health tracker that measures strain, recovery, and sleep.[2][3][4][5] The device is best known for its use by athletes and is often used to track overall health and detect illness.[6]
WHOOP 1.0 was released in 2015,[8] followed by versions in 2016 and 2019.[9][10] WHOOP 4.0 debuted in 2021 with improved battery technology that increased capacity.[11][12][13]
In May 2025, WHOOP launched WHOOP 5.0, featuring a 14-day battery life, 10× power efficiency, and faster data processing, along with WHOOP MG, which introduced a blood pressure wellness feature and an FDA-cleared ECG and Heart Screener.[14][15]
WHOOP's headquarters in Kenmore Square, Boston, MA
The device collects data on sleep, heart rate variability, resting heart rate, and respiratory rate to create a daily recovery score ranging from 0% to 100%,[16] helping users determine if their body is ready for exertion or needs rest.[17] It also provides suggested exertion goals based on recovery and sleep data.[18]
On March 29, 2023, WHOOP announced its Stress Monitor feature, tracking daily stress levels via HRV and resting heart rate, with breathwork interventions developed with Dr. Andrew Huberman.[19] In September 2023, WHOOP released “WHOOP Coach,” powered by OpenAI, offering conversational health and fitness coaching.[20]
In 2025, WHOOP shared that the FDA was "overstepping its authority" following the agency's comments on the company's blood pressure wellness feature.[21]
In 2025, WHOOP challenged FDA comments on its blood pressure feature, arguing the agency was “overstepping its authority.”[22][23] In May 2025, WHOOP adjusted its upgrade terms for the 5.0 and MG,[24] eventually providing complimentary upgrades[25][26] for members with 12+ months remaining[27][28] and refunds for those charged in error.[29][30][31][32]
In September 2025, WHOOP launched “Advanced Labs,” integrating clinical blood test data with wearable health metrics and expanding availability internationally.[33]
WHOOP differs from other wearables by having no screen or buttons;[34] all data is accessed through the WHOOP app on Android and iOS. It requires a monthly subscription, and without one, the device stops tracking.[35] According to Time, WHOOP collects significantly more data than competitors, with five sensors gathering 100 MB of data per user per day.[36]
History
Founded in 2012 by Harvard student-athlete Will Ahmed, along with John Capodilupo and Aurelian Nicolae,[37][38][39] WHOOP was incubated at Harvard Innovation Labs.[40][41][42] The name “Whoop” originated as a motivational phrase Ahmed used before games.[37]
In 2020, WHOOP played a key role in early COVID-19 detection. PGA Tour golfer Nick Watney noticed a respiratory rate spike on his WHOOP and tested positive for the virus despite no symptoms, prompting a PGA Tour partnership to supply WHOOP devices to players and caddies.[69][70] Another golfer, Scott Stallings, also identified early signs of infection using WHOOP.[70]
WHOOP later partnered with Central Queensland University researchers to validate its virus detection algorithm, which identified 80% of positive COVID-19 cases by day three of symptoms and 20% two days before onset.[71]
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