WHOOP Launches 5.0 and Medical-Grade MG to Push Beyond Fitness Tracking

WHOOP stepped into medical-grade territory this week with the launch of its most advanced wearables yet. The WHOOP 5.0 and premium WHOOP MG represent the company's biggest technological leap, moving beyond traditional fitness metrics to deliver clinical-level health insights.

The Boston-based human performance company unveiled both devices with significantly upgraded sensor technology that captures biometric data points every second. This marks a substantial improvement in precision while achieving 10 times better power efficiency than previous generations.

Will Ahmed, WHOOP's founder and CEO, positioned the launch as transformative for the wearable industry. The Harvard alumnus who built the company from a dorm room idea in 2012 now sees medical-grade capabilities as the next frontier. "WHOOP MG is designed to deliver medical-grade insights like heart screening capabilities, and all-new wellness features in our most advanced technology to date," according to the company's official announcement.

The standard WHOOP 5.0 starts at $199 with membership plans, while the premium MG version adds $120 for a magnesium body construction and enhanced durability features. Both devices ship immediately and support new membership tiers called Peak and Life, designed specifically for longevity-focused users.

Key differentiators include ECG monitoring, blood pressure tracking, and what WHOOP calls "heart screening capabilities." The MG version also introduces Advanced Labs, a paid add-on launching in the US later this year that integrates blood panel data directly with the device's 24/7 biometric tracking.

This launch comes as wearable companies race to add medical functionality that goes beyond step counting and heart rate monitoring. WHOOP has built its reputation among professional athletes and high-performance individuals, but these new devices target a broader health-conscious market looking for clinical-grade insights.

The timing reflects growing consumer demand for health devices that bridge the gap between consumer fitness trackers and medical equipment. Ahmed's vision positions WHOOP as a longevity platform rather than just a recovery tool for athletes.

The company plans to leverage this medical-grade foundation to expand into comprehensive health monitoring, with the Advanced Labs feature representing just the first step toward integrating clinical testing with continuous biometric data. This positions WHOOP to compete directly with traditional healthcare monitoring while maintaining its performance-focused brand identity.