Can You Wear WHOOP For Fighting Sports?

If you’re an athlete involved in combat sports like boxing, kickboxing, or MMA, you might be wondering, “Can you wear WHOOP for fighting?” WHOOP is one of the most popular fitness trackers among athletes, but how about combat sports? We’ll discuss this topic today.

Can You Wear WHOOP During Fighting Sports?

Yes, you can wear the WHOOP strap for a variety of combat sports. However, there are certain factors that you need to consider. Below, we have considered some popular combat sports and how you can wear your WHOOP strap safely.

Wearing WHOOP During Boxing and Kickboxing

Athletes of both these sports tend to wear hand wraps, and this is where you can be tactical in wearing the WHOOP band safely. Most athletes wear WHOOP under these hand wraps, which can be helpful in terms of the safety of the band. 

In addition, placing WHOOP under hand straps ensures that the band stays securely. Since both two sports are high and direct-impact games, it is always important to keep the band securely in place for accurate readings. 

Related: Does WHOOP Work With Tattoos?

Wearing WHOOP During Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ)

For grappling-based sports like BJJ, we recommend using the band on the bicep for more accurate reading and band safety. This minimizes the physical contact when rolling and sparring. 

Moreover, you can think of wearing WHOOP under rash guards or GI sleeves when involved in fighting sports such as Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Another option we suggest for grappling sports is wearing the WHOOP sensor with WHOOP boxers. However, some user experiences tell that wearing WHOOP in boxers tends to underreport exertion during more intense grappling sessions. 

In that sense, wearing the WHOOP on the bicep will provide you with more balance between comfort and data accuracy. 

Wearing WHOOP During MMA and Muay Thai

These two sports come with a lot of hand-striking. It would be best if you wear your WHOOP band on the bicep for better safety and stability. Wearing the band on the wrist is for MMA, and Muay Thai is more vulnerable to impacts, and it might not be the best decision when it comes to comfort.

You can use WHOOP Impact Sleeves to wear the sensor on the bicep to mitigate these issues. If the safety of the sensor is your number one priority, as mentioned, there are WHOOP Boxers available that can minimize the vulnerability to impacts. 

Dos and Don’ts of Wearing WHOOP for Combat Sports

Below are some key dos and don’ts based on the comments from combat athletes. 

Dos of Wearing WHOOP for Combat Sports

• Minimize using WHOOP on the wrist as much as possible, as almost all of these sports require excessive hand movements. This can hinder the accuracy of the readings and pose a risk to the sensor.
• Consider using wearing the WHOOP band on the bicep using WHOOP Impact Sleeves. The closer you wear it on your chest, the more accurate and important data you get from your WHOOP, especially during high-intensity sports like fighting. 
• Using WHOOP Boxers is another good option to consider for combat sports, especially for those who are into grappling sports. 
• If you’re using WHOOP’s arm or impact sleeves, ensure you follow proper washing instructions to maintain their elasticity and fit.

Related: How to Clean WHOOP 4.0 Strap Properly?

Don’ts of Wearing WHOOP for Combat Sports

• Letting the band slip is something you should avoid during combat sports. This will lead to inaccurate readings. You can fix this issue by wearing Impact Sleeves, but as we mentioned, proper maintenance is important to maintain their elasticity. If not, the band will slip even when you are using Impact Sleeves. 
• If you notice that your WHOOP is reporting significantly different data from other heart rate monitors, such as chest straps, don’t ignore it. This suggests that there is an issue with the placement of the sensor. 
• Don’t neglect the importance of fit. High-impact games always require a proper fit for all accessories. It’s the same for the WHOOP band as well. 

Can Wearing WHOOP During Combat Sports Affect Its Durability?

Yes, there is a possibility of reducing WHOOP’s durability when worn for combat sports over time. The wrist, in particular, is vulnerable to impacts that can damage the sensor. 

Moreover, these sports involve a significant amount of sweat. If you expose the band to sweat and moisture without proper cleaning, it will degrade the material’s quality. 

All things considered, the best approach is to wear the band in places where the risk of impact is low and clean the band to get rid of sweat and moisture.