Is the Whoop band a waste of money?

Whoop, Oura, Apple Ultra Watch, and Polar OH1: A 12-Month Review

After a year of using the Whoop band, Oura ring, Apple Ultra Watch, and Polar OH1 heart rate monitor, here are my updated insights:

Whoop Band: Initially, the Whoop band was a hit among athletes, particularly for promoting earlier bedtimes and sparking conversations about wellness. However, over time, its usage has dwindled. The need to purchase additional aqua bands, which can be costly and easy to forget, has been a drawback. While the new Phelps bands dry faster, they can cause wrist irritation. The Whoop band excels in gym workouts but is less convenient for swimming. The software updates and detailed monthly reports remain a strong point.

Oura Ring: The Oura ring has maintained its popularity, with all athletes and coaches who started with it still using it. Software updates have introduced monthly summaries, similar to Whoop. While it struggles with heart rate accuracy in water and can be cumbersome during weightlifting, its comfort, sleep tracking, and recovery insights are top-notch. The subscription remains reasonably priced.

Apple Watch Ultra: This device excels in providing real-time heart rate feedback and has improved in recognizing swim strokes and kicks. It's also great for listening to music and podcasts, and for tracking steps.

Polar OH1: For swimming, the Polar OH1 is unmatched in heart rate monitoring. It offers easy-to-understand graphs and heart rate zones on your phone. Our collaboration with sport scientists has made this our go-to device for important test sets. The option to display heart rates on iPads is a valuable feature, also used in spin classes.

Personal Preference: I find the combination of the Oura ring and Apple Ultra Watch to be the most effective for my needs. For athletes, a year with the Whoop band can provide valuable insights into recovery needs. Afterward, switching to the Oura ring for sleep tracking and using the Polar OH1 for heart rate monitoring during workouts seems to be a practical approach.

Justin Rothwell

Head Coach

Manly Swimming Club

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