In the sea In almost the same fitness tracker, Hoops are separated. Since its inception in 2012, the company has learned that hardware is secondary to software. For expensive monthly memberships, you can access (in theory) never-ending new features in the Whoop app, and the company has free access to small, screenless sensors.
This used to be a good bargain, but Hoop hasn’t done much in the last few years. In 2023, the company released the Openai-driven personalized fitness service, Hoop Coach. Like most other AI-enabled fitness services, you have to work very hard on how to structure your questions for useful advice. I didn’t particularly help.
This year, the company has finally released an updated hoop with a range of new features, making it a universal tracker for those who don’t release earnings every day. Most notably, it has a proprietary algorithm for blood pressure tracking. I’ve been testing the new Hoop MG for a few weeks and it reminds me why people like this kind of tracker so much.
Screen-free solution
Photo: Adrienne
If you are not familiar with Whoop Tracker, it is a small wearable with photophotography (PPG) sensor that measures heart rate and heart rate variability (HRV); an accelerometer measures movement, strain, and activity; and a skin temperature sensor to capture changes during sleep or recovery. The new Hoop unit is smaller than the last unit and is supposedly more efficient than the last unit, although I’m not close to the claimed 14-plus days of battery life. I had to charge it twice within 21 days.
It doesn’t have an on-board GPS. Given that it doesn’t even have a screen, it’s not super miscellaneous, so I’m not entirely using hoops to keep my pace down while running. But you Do Some features must be unlocked in Whoop app using GPS on your phone, such as more accurate VO2 Maximum. (Simply switch “track routing” in the app when starting the record run.) You can also insert the hoop into the body outfit of the hoop hop.
Whoop sent out the new MG training bra ($59) and training shorts ($54) that captured my data while I was running and rowing, but if you are a repeat customer you do need the new Hoop the pants because MG is smaller than the last iteration, Whoop 4.0.
It is also important to note that Hoop has changed its membership structure. You used to pay $30 a month for all the things Hoop offers, but now the features are paid behind the tiered subscription plan. hoop One ($199 per year) gives you the regular Whoop 5.0, which is Whoop 4.0, upgrade, sleep, tension and recovery tracking for Hoop Coach coaches. Whoop Peak ($239 per year) gives you the speed of new HealthSpan and New HealthSpan and aging features and Hoop Life ($359 per year) Whoop 5.0, which brings you the new Whoop MG, which can release new heart function from ECGS, Heart Screeners, blood pressure monitoring and AFIB detection.
