Cost: WHOOP 5.0 One (12 months) $299; WHOOP 5.0 Peak (12 months) $399; WHOOP MG Life (12 months) $599.

Tested by: Callum Hill, Golf Australia magazine Digital Editor

FIRST IMPRESSIONS: WHOOP 5.0 is the latest health and performance wearable from WHOOP, designed to be worn 24/7 (on your wrist or even on the upper arm). It’s a slim, screen-free strap that continuously tracks data, such as your heart rate, sleep, recovery, and activity strain, to help you optimise your training and rest. This version introduces a range of new health insights (which we’ll cover below), but at its core, it remains a recovery coach always by your side. It’s even become popular with golfers, such as Rory McIlroy and Justin Thomas.

When the small box arrived, I was struck by how little there is to it – just a sleek, black band and a tiny battery pack. The first time I put it on, I barely noticed it. It’s lighter and smaller than many fitness trackers, so it didn’t get in the way of my golf grip or swing at all. The updated design feels durable (WHOOP says it’s 7 per cent smaller than the 4.0) and the strap is comfortable, even on long days. Setting it up was very simple: I charged it, downloaded the app, filled in my details, and it was ready to go.

One thing I immediately liked was the battery life. The WHOOP 5.0 claims 14-plus days on a charge, and in practice, I found it easily lasted a full week of wear, both day and night, before I needed to plug it in. No panic about a dead band mid-round – I went an entire weekend of golf without recharging. The sensors also seemed quick to stabilise: after a couple of days, the stats stopped fluctuating wildly as the band learned my body. My take? It feels very low-maintenance. I could wear it constantly – on the course or in bed – and almost forget it was there until it finally flashed a low-battery warning.

HOW IT PERFORMED: Once I hit the course, WHOOP 5.0 settled in like any good caddie. The strap never got in the way of my swing or putting, and it survived sun, sweat and a bit of rain just fine. I honestly forgot I was wearing it until I checked the app after the round. It showed that I had walked about 10 km that day and burned a surprisingly high number of calories – proof that even a casual game is a solid form of exercise. It was eye-opening to see those stats; it reminded me how valuable each round can be as a workout.

Off the course, WHOOP 5.0 has kept me honest about my lifestyle. Its sleep coaching was eye-opening: it clearly linked late nights and poor sleep to the next day’s recovery. For example, after I spent a Saturday evening tossing back a few schooners with mates, WHOOP’s Sunday recovery score flashed red – which convinced me to skip the gym and recover on the lounge instead. On the other hand, one night I turned in early (no phone, dinner at 8 pm) and woke up to a 90 per cent sleep rating, which WHOOP translated into a green recovery score. In short, it taught me that small habits, such as an early bedtime, really boost my recovery.

As a recreational runner, I immediately noticed that WHOOP’s Strain and Recovery scores painted two very different pictures. A hard 10km earned me way more strain and a weaker recovery than a cruisy 18‑hole walk. It was awesome watching the WHOOP app’s VO2 Max estimate climb as my fitness improved – you can actually see your cardio levels trending upward. Better still, the real-time heart-rate readouts and new Muscular Strain stat gamify each run – I’d catch myself pushing harder on hills just to beat yesterday’s score. After a big run, the WHOOP would flash a red/yellow “recovery” alert – a solid nudge to book an easy day. WHOOP’s own research finds that better recovery leads to better performance on and off the course, basically confirming what every runner knows: respect the recovery and you’ll hit your stride.

WHOOP 5.0 feels like a caddie for your health. It quietly tracks everything in the background and then gives you actionable feedback – a big green light when you should rest, or yellow/red flags if you’re pushing too hard. It’s informative, comfortable to wear, and never got in my way on the course. If you’re a golfer who cares about maximising performance and staying healthy long-term, this latest WHOOP is a powerful ally.

WHOOP says: WHOOP, the human performance company, has introduced WHOOP 5.0 and WHOOP MG – next-generation wearables built to redefine personal health and longevity. The redesigned devices feature 14-day battery life in a sleeker, 7 per cent smaller form, and debut new capabilities including Healthspan with WHOOP Age, Heart Screener with on-demand ECG, Blood Pressure Insights and more.

“These innovations arrive at a pivotal moment when ailing health systems cost more and deliver less,” the company said. “While others track surface-level trends, WHOOP delivers longevity through depth, translating the body’s most vital signals into guidance that extends healthspan, not just lifespan.”

“This isn’t just a product launch, it’s a new chapter for WHOOP and for our members,” said Will Ahmed, WHOOP Founder and CEO. “We’ve taken everything we’ve learned over the past decade and built a platform to help our members perform and live at their peak for longer. We have held nothing back.”

WHOOP 5.0 and MG feature enhanced sensors that capture data 26 times per second, a processor 10 times more power-efficient, and new accessories, including the premium LeatherLuxe band. WHOOP MG also offers medical-grade ECG capability.

“WHOOP is a great tool. It is like a doctor on my wrist,” said Cristiano Ronaldo, WHOOP global ambassador and investor. “It allows me to monitor my behaviour easily and shows me that being consistent and prioritising your health is worth it.”

WHOOP 5.0 and WHOOP MG are available to purchase at whoop.com