Over the past few months, many clients have noticed screenshots from my WHOOP app during check ins, especially the strain graph I sometimes share after a heavy strength workout. Naturally, the question comes up:
“Should I get a WHOOP? What do you like about it?”
So today I’m breaking down why I personally prefer WHOOP over other fitness wearables like Apple Watch or Garmin, especially for women who strength train, navigate perimenopause, and care deeply about recovery and stress management. I am going into my 3rd year using the WHOOP activity tracker so I feel like I can give a really honest review here!
(And yes I’m including my referral link for one free month if you decide you want to try it!)
👉 WHOOP REFERRAL LINK
Why WHOOP Works Better for Strength Training Than Traditional Fitness Trackers
Here’s the big thing most people don’t realize:
Most fitness watches are designed for cardio, not lifting.
Apple Watch and Garmin are fantastic for running, cycling, and anything where your heart rate stays elevated for long stretches.
But during strength training?
Your heart rate spikes between sets, not necessarily during them. Which means most devices dramatically undercount the effort of a lifting session.
WHOOP solves this with a feature I absolutely love:
You can log the movements you did and the weights you used.
Instead of relying solely on heart rate, WHOOP lets me enter:
-
The specific lifts I did
-
The load I used
-
My rest periods
-
The structure of the workout
This gives a far more accurate reading of how much neuromuscular strain I actually placed on my body, which is exactly what matters in progressive strength training.
This is one of the biggest reasons I switched.
The Real Reason I Love WHOOP: Recovery and Stress Tracking
Now that I’m in my 40s (and in perimenopause), one thing has become very clear:
Recovery matters more than ever.
My goals are longevity, strength, stable mood, hormone support, and smart training, not simply burning as many calories as possible.
WHOOP has become the most helpful recovery tool I’ve ever used because it gives me insight into:
-
HRV (heart rate variability)
-
Sleep quality and stages
-
Stress load throughout the day
-
Daily recovery score
-
Cycle related dips or spikes in readiness
It’s like having a “how much can I push today?” dashboard.
I’ve found this especially helpful during my luteal phase or ovulation phase, where my body inevitably feels different in my 40's. WHOOP helps me stay proactive rather than reactive.
What WHOOP Does Just as Well as an Apple Watch
People often ask what they'll "lose" by switching.
WHOOP still tracks:
-
Steps
-
Heart rate
-
Resting heart rate
-
Sleep
-
Daily movement
It also syncs seamlessly with my Renpho scale so my bodyweight and lean mass show up automatically in the app.
So nothing is missing, WHOOP just focuses more on meaningful metrics instead of calories burned.
The One Thing That Might Surprise You (but I actually love)
WHOOP has no screen.
No watch face.
No notifications.
No buzzing.
No checking your wrist every five minutes.
For some people, this is a dealbreaker.
For me? It’s one of the top reasons I love it.
I wanted a device that tracks me, not a smartwatch that adds more noise and distraction to my day. WHOOP feels like "wearing nothing," and the data lives entirely in the app.
A Few Things to Know Before Buying WHOOP
Just so this isn’t one sided, here’s what to expect:
-
There is a membership fee, since you’re paying for the analytics/app. I pay this once a year because it is a little cheaper.
-
If you want smartwatch features (texts, calls, GPS), Apple Watch or Garmin is better
-
If you’re primarily a runner or cyclist, Garmin still wins for GPS precision, you need your phone with you for WHOOP to track your GPS during the run.
-
WHOOP is for people who care about stress, recovery, sleep, and training readiness, not for people who want to close rings or chase calorie burn
But for strength training women, especially in midlife, IMO WHOOP’s insights are unmatched.
Final Thoughts: Who WHOOP Is Perfect For
WHOOP is an amazing fit if you are:
✔ A woman lifting 3–5x/week
✔ Someone who wants to train smarter, not harder
✔ Navigating perimenopause and want better recovery data
✔ Prioritizing long term health, muscle, and metabolism
✔ Someone who loves data and wants deeper insight
✔ A person who does NOT want another screen tugging at your attention
If that sounds like you, you’ll probably love WHOOP as much as I do.
Want to Try WHOOP? Here's My Referral Link
If you’ve been thinking about trying WHOOP, here’s my personal referral link where you can get a free month (or whatever promo WHOOP is running at the moment):