WHOOP!

The fitness gadget for Type A’s

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WHOOP is a fitness tracker that became popular after professional athletes like LeBron James, Rory McIlroy, and Michael Phelps started wearing them a few years ago. Today, many professional and serious athletes have joined the ranks as an alternative — or companion — to Apple Watches.

So why do I — a moderately fit, middle-aged woman — have one? I’m pretty sure I’m not its target demographic. Yet, WHOOP CEO Will Ahmed says, ‘The device…appeals to individuals who want a high level of insight into their daily physiological activity.’ In other words, data geeks and OCD types. Got it. That’s me.

I describe myself as a hyper-competitive athlete with little athletic ability.

My body is not physically capable of handling how hard I push it. That hasn’t stopped me, resulting in numerous injuries over the years — plantar fasciitis, a hip stress fracture, bursitis, debilitating back pain, Achilles tendonitis, and shin splints.

Before I got my WHOOP, I followed a strict workout regimen: bike one day, run the next, weightlift and yoga the following day. Rinse. Repeat.

I was proud of my ability to work through pain and injuries. And yet, somehow, I would still be shocked each time I got injured. Patience is not my strong suit. Often, I’d try to get back at it before fully recovering…