For those that know me well, it is a well-known fact that I love my data and technology. I love tinkering with my FlightScope (Launch Monitor Lessons available as well) and trying to find those optimum numbers that work for my golf swing. My wife also marvels at the number of headphones and speakers I have around the house. Hey, I’m a gadget guy!
The WHOOP Strap
I first came across the WHOOP strap while watching Justin Thomas sporting one in a PGA Tour event. I also noticed Rory McIlroy with one as a host of other PGA Professionals. I was immediately intrigued by the technology but continued to trust the simple step tracking of my iPhone.
Until… a few months ago. A few of my students started showing up with the WHOOP strap. Their positive feedback persuaded me to give it a try. Fast forward two months and I am addicted to it and the benefits it has brought to my training and lifestyle.
What Is The WHOOP Strap 3.0?
The WHOOP Strap 3.0 collects 24/7 physiological data to help users gain a deeper understanding of their body. Based on the data collected from four physiological markers — Heart Rate Variability, Resting Heart Rate, sleep, and respiratory rate — WHOOP develops a personalised daily plan.
With this data, users can then learn how to optimise the way they train, sleep, and recover.
With WHOOP, you can also connect with family, friends, and fellow fitness enthusiasts to create training groups and custom teams to help keep you motivated.
My Experience With the WHOOP Strap
To find out more about its different functions, I subscribed to WHOOP’s podcast, hosted by its founder Will Ahmed. The guests on the show are experts in the fields of sleep, training, and recovery. Topics like nutrition, HRV (heart rate variability), exercise, and so many others are covered in-depth and further explain the capabilities and potential benefits of the WHOOP strap.
There are also interviews with PGA Golfers Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas and Scott Stallings, WWE wrestler Seth Rollins, stuntman Steve-O, Navy Seals, Fortune 500 executives and the list goes on. Listening to these interviews inspired me to make some changes of my own, understanding how these people live their lives, find balance, and use the WHOOP to tie it all together.
>> BONUS: Get a free WHOOP strap and your first month free when you join here.
Nutrition
I am an early riser in general due to my golf coaching starting at 7 am. I have never had much of an appetite at breakfast but I believed I needed to eat something anyway. Recently, I researched intermittent fasting based on Martin Berkhan’s 16:8 method and for the last couple of months, have been following Leangains protocols.
This method has helped me find balance in my meals and also allows me to pick my daughters up from school on time! I love my coffee, and thankfully caffeine is encouraged through fasting (win!). I have managed to lose 5kg to date and am feeling better and healthier by the day. Intermittent fasting also fits seamlessly into my lifestyle and has allowed me to let go of thinking I HAD to eat something for breakfast to be healthy.
I recently downloaded the MyFitnessPal app and am consistently logging all of my meals, and it is a great tool to find out which foods carry different amounts of calories.
Exercise
This ties up nicely with the nutrition and with more energy through a healthier diet. I have been working on some golf-related exercises with my physiotherapist Kam Bhabra. as well as strength training as per the Leangains method/protocol. The WHOOP is amazing at telling you when you are recovered or need to rest, and I base my exercise on my recovery levels and how much strain I need to take on.
It would shock you how strenuous a golf practice session can be, especially when “thinking” about certain moves and positions, as well as when you start trying to bomb those drives!
Meditation
A common theme for many successful guests on the podcast is their dedication to meditation and how it clears their mind from their busy schedules.
Being a father of two very active daughters and having a busy coaching schedule of my own, I often need to find my own space and positivity from time to time and have recently turned to the Wim Hof Method. The app is fantastic and full of helpful exercises and guidance.
Final Thoughts
I have found that to perform best in a sport such as golf, is all about striking the right balance between nutrition, sleep, recovery, and training. This is something the WHOOP strap is allowing me to do and I’d be happy to answer any questions you have on it or hear your feedback on it if you have tried it.
>> BONUS: Get a free WHOOP strap and your first month free when you join here.
