Why Whoop Added Step Count, According to CEO Will Ahmed
The wearables company’s new feature is a response to changing scientific trends and user demands
Historically, Whoop did not have a step-tracking feature. Steps were viewed as a less precise indicator of overall health compared to other Whoop metrics like “Strain,” “Recovery” and “Stress.” However, this October, Whoop introduced Steps in response to scientific insights and user demand.
“We launched this for a few reasons. First, there’s been more research on the importance of movement for longevity and overall health,” Whoop’s Founder and CEO, Will Ahmed told Athletech News. Recent studies underscore that taking at least 8,200 steps per day significantly lowers the risk of chronic conditions like high blood pressure, sleep apnea, diabetes, and depression.
The decision was driven by demand from the Whoop community. “Our members have increasingly requested steps, and we’ve been listening. This update allows us to provide a more complete picture of movement and activity throughout the day, in addition to Strain and Recovery data,” Ahmed shared.
Whoop hopes this feature will help users use the wearable as its one and only fitness tracker. “I’ve heard a decent number of WHOOP members have also previously worn a completely different device just to track steps. We believe that’s a terrible member experience,” added Ahmed.
Now available to all members, the Steps feature is automatically enabled when the Whoop device is worn on the wrist. A daily step count is visible on the My Dashboard section of the Whoop home page, and trends will be displayed weekly, monthly, and semiannually. Members can also set daily movement goals.
Users can also see activity-specific insights. “The fact that we can now measure steps within various activities, like a round of golf or a squash match, adds another dimension to how users engage with their data,” noted Ahmed.
Whop’s addition of steps rounds out its offering, catering to those who value a simple measure of daily movement alongside complex health metrics. As the wearables space becomes increasingly competitive with the growth of the smart ring industry, Whoop will need to continue to respond to member demands to maintain or grow market share.