Unlocking Human Performance and Exceeding Customer Expectations for WHOOP

Challenge

WHOOP, the 24/7 digital fitness and health coach that provides actionable sleep, recovery and training insights, is on a mission to revolutionize how people understand their bodies. Ten years ago, WHOOP had a vision for a durable device that performance-focused athletes could wear all day for real-time guidance. They wanted to design and launch the most advanced, data-driven fitness and health wearable device that answered the question, “What does it mean to train optimally?” Seeking a partner who could make their ambitious vision a reality, WHOOP tapped Material’s design studio, Aruliden, to develop product design and go-to-market strategy informed by human insights to exceed the expectations of even the most elite athletes.

Approach

Studied the competitive landscape and user needs to establish a differentiated design strategy and brand identity
Researched and developed WHOOP’s brand ethos, charting a path for a successful launch and beyond
Established hardware design mandates and iterated on prototypes to develop an innovative physical device. The WHOOP fits every user, is so comfortable you forget you’re wearing it and does not need to be removed to charge
Optimized WHOOP’s physical UX to enable seamless integration between hardware and software, allowing users to access advanced real-time data transmitted 100 times per second, 24 hours a day

Outcomes

WHOOP’s launch introduced the world to a truly groundbreaking fitness experience that has reshaped the category. Post-launch, WHOOP secured MLB and NFL partnerships, the endorsements of major athletes and additional funding for the next gen version of the device. Today, over ten years later, the company is recognized as a global fitness technology leader and has evolved its product to WHOOP 4.0.

From concept, to prototype, to launch and ongoing innovation, Material has partnered with WHOOP through every stage of the company’s transformative growth journey. We’re proud that our work together has been recognized with a Red Dot Design Award and three Fast Company Innovation by Design awards – all while helping people around the world unlock their potential.