Football fever is almost at our doorstep and, after touching down in Florida earlier this week, the England squad are already getting down to business ahead of their first World Cup fixture against Croatia later this month.
Starting their training at Palm Beach Gardens Tennis & Pickleball Centre on Tuesday, eagle-eyed fans may have spotted some new wristwear on several players. Ditching their Rolexes and Pateks, the players have been sporting Whoop fitness trackers instead.
Worn by Cristiano Ronaldo, Rory McIlroy and LeBron James, as well as The Independent's fitness journalists, the wearable has become one of the most popular recovery and performance trackers in sport.
Unlike a traditional smartwatch, the screen-free device focuses on tracking sleep, strain and recovery, helping athletes better understand when to push harder and when to prioritise rest. With more games than ever, lots of cross-border travel and varying heat and humidity, recovery is something the players will have to take seriously this summer.
Interestingly, Whoop isn't an official sponsor of England or the Football Association, suggesting the trackers are being used as a performance tool rather than a piece of promotional kit.
Giving athletes a detailed picture of their fitness and wellbeing, England's players are expected to wear the trackers throughout the tournament, including during matches, to help maximise recovery between games.
The good news? You don't need to be a professional footballer to try one. Whoop is currently offering a one-month free trial on its tracker, letting you test the wearable before committing to a membership.
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, Whoop is letting new users try its most popular membership free for a month. You'll get the Whoop 5.0 fitness tracker, charger and access to all of the app's analytics at no up-front cost. If you're not impressed, first take that up with the England squad, but if you still don't fancy keeping it, you can simply return the device at the end of the trial.
Buy now £169, Whoop.com
For more, we’ve reviewed the best fitness trackers
