Overnight review (so literally first impressions):
- HR is actually very accurate so far. Did a 10k run yesterday and a run/gym session this morning, both tracked with Garmin + HR chest strap. Data seemed very comparable. Hard to compare averages etc, as the activities auto detect on the Whoop, but the data and max HR data looked good.
- Hoping the strain score settles a bit! I'm already at 17 this morning (after the run/gym), and that seems high out of a max of 21. If I do a 5 hour ride on the weekend, I dread to think what it will say. I guess it's still 'learning' me a bit, and I'm hoping it figures out I (as many on here) do a lot more exercise than the average person.
- IF I bite the bullet and go for it, there's no way I'm sticking to a fabric band. It's still wet now from the post gym shower!
- Haven't got much more data yet as it's still learning.
- Sleep data seemed pretty comparable to Garmin sleep data (stages etc but not reading too much into that)
My main worry, not being able to see any data on it without an app, would be constantly wondering if the HR is tracking correctly, as essentially all of the main metrics seem to be based off that. But so far I'm actually quite impressed. Interested to see how it copes with the cycling commutes tomorrow. (and what it auto detects the activity as)
Speaking from my own experience, I found the HR a bit 'meh' - but really feel that's a personal thing - highly likely my longer steady efforts it was accurate but I didn't measure them, the shorter intense stuff I measured it on Zwift with, it wasn't close. Or not consistently out - so I'd lose the 'peaks' from short efforts. Recalling sort of things I was seeing: HR from chest strap at 150 - Whoop at 149, chest 170 - Whoop 160, HR at 180 - Whoop at 165. Just totally messed with my zones.
Strain is a weird one. Not many of my 'day-to-day' are below 12-13 score even with my short commute. The odd day I drive will be the only times I'm below 10. 'Zwift days' (Tuesday & Thursday intense 50-90 mins) I'm 16-17 score. Long social saturday club ride 3-4 hours 18-19. Throw in a bigger climb, or longer efforts I easily hit 20. An epic all day adventure... Only bit more.
But I've also hit over 20 more regularly doing a 18-19 club ride and then a bunch of DIY/home chores afterwards rather than a longer & harder ride. Even though it 'feels' like less fatigue.
Fabric strap dries loads quicker if you shower with it, then when getting dried take it off and squeeze it in towel. Or even clamping it with a towel while on my wrist to take the 'damp' feel out of it a little.
A 'rest' day for me (no riding) will be 7-8 strain due to home life stuffs - even on holiday in Florida for 14 days walking around disney every day for 10-15km my daily strains where below 10 (6.2-9.9). There's no way my normal day-to-day work days with 2x10min commutes where more tiring than that (physically) by strain score alone! Nevermind the mental strain. But I also banked a massive amount of extra sleep while on holiday too - easily another 2-3 hours extra per night!
If these lads aren't hitting 21 then I doubt anyone is.
We break down the difficulty of various Tour de France stages using WHOOP heart rate and strain data, as well as other cycling metrics.
www.whoop.com
Yeah but so much of it is conditioning isn't it... So their training scores are right up towards the same level or even higher, training so they can race like that and consistently perform without being absolutely crucified by fatigue for days afterwards.
If any of us put that effort in we'd smash to 21 score and not even reach half way, likely injured or at least wouldn't be able to do anything for several days afterwards. We dig ourselves deeper into a 'fatigue hole'.
I've not read that link yet, but did anyone see they put Carapaz's Whoop data on screen during a Giro stage a couple of days ago. This guy is cycling 200 odd km and waking up with a 90% score like it was nothing
Yeah but 'Recovery' score is a pure HRV measure. Guess another thing which sets them leagues apart from us! The training level and natural ability/genetics to still be recovering.
