If you are into fighting sports and love using WHOOP to track your activities, no wonder you want to know whether you can wear WHOOP for combat sports. In this detailed guide, we intend to discuss the possibility of wearing WHOOP for fighting sports, how you can wear it safely to prevent damage to the sensor and many more. Let’s start!
Can You Wear WHOOP for Combat Sports?
Yes, you can use WHOOP for combat sports such as boxing, kickboxing, martial arts, and grappling without problem. However, wearing your WHOOP on the wrist, as you would usually do, won’t be ideal when engaging in combat sports.
There are certain things you need to make sure to protect your sensor as well as get precise data. We will discuss everything in detail later in the article.
What Fighting Sports are Compatible with WHOOP?
You can use your WHOOP for a variety of combat sports. Some of these sports are even available in the WHOOP activity list, and you have the opportunity to add them as an activity in the WHOOP app. Here are some of them mentioned for your observation.
- Boxing
- Kickboxing
- MMA
- Jiu Jitsu
- Martial Arts
- Wrestling, and many more
How to Wear WHOOP for Combat Sports?
As you now know, it is certainly possible to wear WHOOP for fighting sports; let’s take a minute and see how you should wear it safely and some other important factors you should keep in mind.
First and foremost, you need to ensure the safety of the sensor. As you use your hands for these sports, having your WHOOP on your wrist can be pretty hazardous to the safety of the sensor.
Related: Can You Wear WHOOP in the Sauna?
Instead of wearing an orthodox WHOOP 4.0 strap on your wrist, we highly recommend using WHOOP Body garments if you want to engage in combat sports. There is a variety of garments available in WHOOP Body that you can choose from based on the sports you are in.
In addition, wearing the WHOOP on your wrist can act as a barrier to free movements; it’s no secret that free-flowing hands are very important for the success of combat sports.
For those who are into grappling sports like Jiu Jitsu, opting for the WHOOP bicep band would be a good option. This will help you minimize the chances of the sensor getting in contact with the other player.
What is the Best Place to Wear WHOOP for Combat Sports?
If you are able to go with WHOOP Body clothing, such as compression tops for men or sports bras for women, it would be ideal because they are designed with pockets to keep the sensor close to the torso.
However, WHOOP Body garments are a bit expensive compared to traditional sports gear for fighting sports. So, keep that in mind as well.
We recommend you study the table below to get a good understanding of the ideal sensor placement when it comes to wearing WHOOP for combat sports.
| Placement | Accuracy | Comfort | Recommended for Combat Sports |
| Wrist | Moderate | High | Only for light training |
| Bicep Band | High | Moderate | Yes, for intense sessions |
| Compression Top | Very High | High | Best option for combat sports |
| Sports Bra | Very High | High | Ideal for women |
| Boxer Briefs/Leggings | Moderate | High | Optional, not combat-specific |
Pros and Cons of Using WHOOP for Combat Sports
We know you desperately want to wear your WHOOP for combat sports. Here are the pros and cons you would want to consider before you make the final call.
Pros
- As WHOOP measures recovery metrics such as heart rate variability (HRV), resting heart rate (RHR), and sleep quality, it can help athletes optimize training intensity based on recovery data. This can also help them reduce the risk of injury.
- WHOOP offers detailed analysis of sleep stages (REM, deep sleep), which are crucial for recovery. If you are a combat athlete, you can adjust routines to ensure you get adequate rest after demanding sessions.
- Options like bicep bands and body garments allow secure placement of the sensor during contact-heavy activities.
- Unlike smartwatches, WHOOP doesn’t have a display. This is ideal to minimize distractions during training.
Related: Can You Wear WHOOP on the Ankle?
Cons
- Direct impacts during fighting sports can damage the WHOOP sensor if not worn in a secure location.
- WHOOP does not track movements specific to combat sports, such as punch count or strike speed.
- Since WHOOP lacks a screen, athletes must wait until after training to review data.
- Requires a monthly subscription for full access to data.
- Wrist placement can interfere with gloves.
Conclusion
All in all, yes, you can use WHOOP for fighting sports and martial arts. However, it is important to understand that wearing WHOOP for such games always comes with the risk of damage to the sensor.
In order to mitigate this risk, we highly recommend buying WHOOP Body garments as they come with secure places to keep the sensor. Also, they are helpful to keep the sensor at places where fighters can make the most out of in terms of data accuracy.
If you need more input from us regarding the topic we discussed, please feel free to mention your opinion in the comment section below. Have a great day!
