With day one of Amazon Prime Day now winding down, I've been keeping an eye out for deals that feel a little different from the usual parade of headphones, air fryers and coffee machines. Namely, a discount on the Whoop 5.0, also known as the fitness tracker that’s become a go-to tool for athletes who care as much about recovery as they do performance.
The wearable has cropped up on football fans' radars today, too. During England's pre-match warm-up ahead of this evening's World Cup fixture against Ghana, several players were seen wearing Whoop bands on their wrists. Evidence – for all the world to see – of just how widely adopted the tracker has become at the highest level of sport, despite the brand having no official partnership with England or the FA.
For those unfamiliar with the device, Whoop doesn't behave like a traditional smartwatch. There are no texts, apps or step-count challenges demanding your attention and, instead, it spends its time analysing how your body is responding to training, sleep, travel and stress, then uses that information to help you train harder when you're ready and recover when you're not.
Little wonder it's found fans among everyone from Cristiano Ronaldo to Rory McIlroy and LeBron James. With Prime Day discounts now available on the device with various subscription plans, it's one of the fitness-tech deals I'll be paying closest attention to before day one of the sales bonanza comes to a close.
Read more: Is the Whoop 5.0 the best fitness tracker for runners?
Whoop 5.0
When The Independent's former fitness and wellbeing editor Emilie Lavinia reviewed the Whoop 5.0, she called it “the best health coach you'll find outside of a human being”, praising its exceptional battery life, detailed recovery insights and ability to turn complex health data into routine-changing advice.
The screen-free wearable tracks sleep, strain, recovery and VO2 max, helping athletes and regular users better understand how their bodies are responding to training, stress and rest. As a CrossFitter, I’m a big fan myself and have been wearing a Whoop for several years to help improve my cardio load and recover for future sessions.
Right now, you can save on Whoop peak and the Whoop life for Prime Day, with the peak reduced in price to £189, and the life down to £289. For those that don’t know, 'Whoop peak' is the more fitness-focused option, giving you access to the brand’s core tracking features, including sleep, recovery, strain, heart-rate monitoring and personalised training insights. 'Whoop life' includes all of the same performance and recovery tools but adds a suite of advanced health features, such as ECG readings, blood pressure insights and health-span tracking. This makes it the better fit for anyone who wants a broader picture of their long-term wellbeing alongside their fitness data.
Buy now £189, Amazon.co.uk
For more, we’ve reviewed the best fitness trackers